While you can transfer files and photos from one Mac to another using a USB cable, an easier way is to AirDrop Files and Photos from Mac to Mac. You will find below the steps to AirDrop from Mac to Mac.
AirDrop Files and Photos From Mac to Mac
The AirDrop feature makes use of Bluetooth to identify nearby Apple Devices and WiFi Network to transfer Photos, Videos and Files between two Apple Devices.
Hence, you need to make sure that both sending and receiving devices are connected to WiFi and Bluetooth Network.
The other requirement is to properly Setup the AirDrop feature on both sending and receiving devices.
Note: For AirDrop to work between two Mac's, you need a Mac computer running at least OS X Yosemite or later and both Mac computers need to be within 30 feet of each other.
AirDrop is Apple's ad-hoc service that lets users discover nearby Macs and iOS devices and securely transfer files between them over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When using AirDrop between Macs and iOS. How to share via AirDrop from a post-2012 Mac to a pre-2012 Mac. If you have a post-2012 Mac around the house and want to send or receive files with an older model, you need to change your AirDrop settings. You can do that pretty easily by following these steps: Open an AirDrop window on the pre-2012 Mac. MacBook introduced in late 2008 or later, excluding the white MacBook (Late 2008) iMac introduced in early 2009 or later; Mac Mini introduced in mid 2010 or later; Mac Pro introduced in early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card) or mid 2010; iMac Pro (all models) 2. Check Your Network Connections. In order to share files over AirDrop, both devices. In addition to locking down AirDrop on iOS, we'll show you how to change your Mac AirDrop settings. Finding AirDrop on the Mac is easy. The default Finder setting has it appear in the sidebar to.
1. Enable WiFi & Bluetooth on Both Devices
Follow the steps below to make sure that WiFi and Bluetooth Networks are enabled and active on both devices.
1. Select Bluetooth Icon in the top menu-bar of your Mac and click on Turn Bluetooth ON.
2. Next, click on the WiFi icon and click on Turn WiFi ON.
2. Setup AirDrop on Both Devices
The next step is to make sure that both devices are properly setup to use AirDrop.
1. Click on the Happy Face Finder icon located in the dock of your Mac.
2. Select the Go option in top-menu bar and click on AirDrop in the drop-down menu.
3. On the next screen, click on Allow me to be Discovered by option and select Everyone from the drop-down.
Note: You can also select Contacts Only option, but choosing Everyone reduces chance of errors.
4. Repeat above steps on the other device to Setup AirDrop on the other Mac as well.
3. AirDrop Photos From Mac to Mac
After the two devices are setup for AirDrop, you can follow the steps below to AirDrop Photos from Mac to Mac.
1. Open the Photos App on your Mac and select photos that you want to transfer to the other device.
2. Once the Photos are selected, click on the Share icon.
3. From the drop-down menu, click on the AirDrop option.
4. On the next pop-up, select the other Mac that you want to AirDrop Photos to.
5. If you see a confirmation pop-up, click on Accept the transfer option to receive Photos by AirDrop.
4. AirDrop Files From Mac to Mac
The steps to AirDrop Files from Mac to Mac are quite similar to Airdropping Photos from Mac to Mac.
1. Click on the Finder icon > select the Go tab and click on AirDrop option in the drop-down menu.
2. On the next screen, simply drag and drop the File into the circle of your device.
3. If prompted, click on Accept the transfer option to receive the File.
Macbook Pro Airdrop Disabled
The transferred File will be available in the Downloads Folder of the other Mac.
Before you begin
- Make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
- Check that you and the person you're sending to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
- Check if the person you're sending to has their AirDrop set to receive from Contacts Only. If they do, and you're in their Contacts, they need to have your email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work.
- If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.
Hence, you need to make sure that both sending and receiving devices are connected to WiFi and Bluetooth Network.
The other requirement is to properly Setup the AirDrop feature on both sending and receiving devices.
Note: For AirDrop to work between two Mac's, you need a Mac computer running at least OS X Yosemite or later and both Mac computers need to be within 30 feet of each other.
AirDrop is Apple's ad-hoc service that lets users discover nearby Macs and iOS devices and securely transfer files between them over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When using AirDrop between Macs and iOS. How to share via AirDrop from a post-2012 Mac to a pre-2012 Mac. If you have a post-2012 Mac around the house and want to send or receive files with an older model, you need to change your AirDrop settings. You can do that pretty easily by following these steps: Open an AirDrop window on the pre-2012 Mac. MacBook introduced in late 2008 or later, excluding the white MacBook (Late 2008) iMac introduced in early 2009 or later; Mac Mini introduced in mid 2010 or later; Mac Pro introduced in early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card) or mid 2010; iMac Pro (all models) 2. Check Your Network Connections. In order to share files over AirDrop, both devices. In addition to locking down AirDrop on iOS, we'll show you how to change your Mac AirDrop settings. Finding AirDrop on the Mac is easy. The default Finder setting has it appear in the sidebar to.
1. Enable WiFi & Bluetooth on Both Devices
Follow the steps below to make sure that WiFi and Bluetooth Networks are enabled and active on both devices.
1. Select Bluetooth Icon in the top menu-bar of your Mac and click on Turn Bluetooth ON.
2. Next, click on the WiFi icon and click on Turn WiFi ON.
2. Setup AirDrop on Both Devices
The next step is to make sure that both devices are properly setup to use AirDrop.
1. Click on the Happy Face Finder icon located in the dock of your Mac.
2. Select the Go option in top-menu bar and click on AirDrop in the drop-down menu.
3. On the next screen, click on Allow me to be Discovered by option and select Everyone from the drop-down.
Note: You can also select Contacts Only option, but choosing Everyone reduces chance of errors.
4. Repeat above steps on the other device to Setup AirDrop on the other Mac as well.
3. AirDrop Photos From Mac to Mac
After the two devices are setup for AirDrop, you can follow the steps below to AirDrop Photos from Mac to Mac.
1. Open the Photos App on your Mac and select photos that you want to transfer to the other device.
2. Once the Photos are selected, click on the Share icon.
3. From the drop-down menu, click on the AirDrop option.
4. On the next pop-up, select the other Mac that you want to AirDrop Photos to.
5. If you see a confirmation pop-up, click on Accept the transfer option to receive Photos by AirDrop.
4. AirDrop Files From Mac to Mac
The steps to AirDrop Files from Mac to Mac are quite similar to Airdropping Photos from Mac to Mac.
1. Click on the Finder icon > select the Go tab and click on AirDrop option in the drop-down menu.
2. On the next screen, simply drag and drop the File into the circle of your device.
3. If prompted, click on Accept the transfer option to receive the File.
Macbook Pro Airdrop Disabled
The transferred File will be available in the Downloads Folder of the other Mac.
Before you begin
- Make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
- Check that you and the person you're sending to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
- Check if the person you're sending to has their AirDrop set to receive from Contacts Only. If they do, and you're in their Contacts, they need to have your email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work.
- If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.
You can put your AirDrop receiving setting to Contacts Only or Receiving Off at any time to control who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop.
How to use AirDrop
- Open an app, tap Share or the Share button . If you share a photo from the Photos app, you can swipe left or right and select multiple photos.
- Tap the AirDrop user* that you want to share with. Or you can use AirDrop between your own Apple devices. Don't see the AirDrop user or your other device? Learn what to do.
* If the person you're sharing content with is in your Contacts, you'll see an image with their name. If they're not in your Contacts, you'll see just their name without an image.
How to accept AirDrop
When someone shares something with you using AirDrop, you see an alert with a preview. You can tap Accept or Decline.
If you tap Accept, the AirDrop will come through within the same app it was sent from. For example, photos appear in the Photos app and websites open in Safari. App links open in the App Store so you can download or purchase the app.
If you AirDrop something to yourself, like a photo from your iPhone to your Mac, you won't see an option to Accept or Decline — it'll automatically get sent to your device. Just make sure that both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID.
How to adjust AirDrop settings
To choose who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop:
Enable Airdrop Macbook Pro
- Go to Settings, tap General.
- Tap AirDrop, then choose an option.
You can also set your AirDrop options in Control Center. Here's how:
- On iPhone X or later, or an iPad with iOS 12 or later or iPadOS, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. On iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Press firmly or touch and hold the network settings card in the upper-left corner.
- Touch and hold the AirDrop button , then choose one of these options:
- Receiving Off: You won't receive AirDrop requests.
- Contacts Only: Only your contacts can see your device.
- Everyone: All nearby Apple devices using AirDrop can see your device.
If you see Receiving Off and can't tap to change it:
Activate Airdrop On Macbook Pro
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap Allowed Apps and make sure that AirDrop is turned on.
