Where Do AirDrop Files Go on iPhone/Mac?

Part 1: How to set up an AirDrop on your iPhone?

Perhaps you have purchased a new iPhone and wondering how to turn on the AirDrop application to transfer files. Here you choose whether you enable the AirDrop app for contacts or everyone. Each choice comes with a varying complexity when allowing the airdrop to the app. Selecting "contacts only" require more work because everyone needs to log into iCloud accounts and be each other's contacts. Choosing to AirDrop files for everyone is easier because you can share things with random people.

To open the AirDrop on iPhone requires the following steps:

• Swipe up the bottom bezel of the device to launch Control Centre
• Long press the Wi-Fi button and tap AirDrop.
• Choose everyone or contacts depending on the people you want to share files with, and the AirDrop service will turn on.

Turn on and off AirDrop for iPhone X, XS, or XR.

The iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR follow a different approach because the control center feature is launched from the top right corner, unlike other models that swipe the bottom bezel.

• Open the Control Center and long-press the Wi-Fi button.
• Open the AirDrop feature from the interface that appears.
• Turn on AirDrop by choosing the options "contacts only" or "everyone."

How to AirDrop files from iPhone 

The following procedure will help you AirDrop files from your iPhone with any device that supports the feature. The files can include photos, videos, and many more.

• Launch the application with the files you want to share, for instance, photos.
• Select desired items you wish to share and tap the share button.
• A recipient avatar will appear on the AirDrop row. Tap the feature and start sharing.

Troubleshooting AirDrop on iPhone

Contacts may fail to appear on your iPhones AirDrop interface when sharing files. In that case, try to toggle the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or airplane mode feature off and back on to reset your connection. Ensure that all personal hotspots are turned off to allow Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Since contact mismatch is possible when sharing files, you can temporarily change to "everyone" to remove the error.

Part 2: Where do AirDrop Files Go on iPhone/iPad?

Unlike most file-sharing applications, AirDrop does not indicate where the shared files will be saved on iPhone or iPad. Every file you accept to receive will automatically save to the associated applications. For example, contacts will save on the contacts application, videos and photos on the Photos app, and presentations will save on the keynote.

The procedure described earlier in this post will help you to set up AirDrops on iPhone and iPad. However, you need to ensure the iPhone or iPad is ready to receive the AirDrop files. If anyone AirDrops you, you will receive a popup notification on the iPhone or iPad prompting you to deny or accept the files. The files will be downloaded to your device when you choose the accept option. They will then be saved in the applications that match them.

Once you receive files, they automatically save and open in the associated app. If you can't find the AirDrop files, repeat the process and ensure you have enough space in your iPhone/iPad to accommodate downloaded items.

Part 3: Where do AirDrop Files Go on the Mac?

You can quickly transfer files between iOS and Mac OS devices with the AirDrop feature. However, you might be wondering where the AirDrop files go on your Mac. First of all, you will need to be able to receive the AirDrops files on your Mac to track them to their location.

Once you accept AirDrop files on Mac, they are downloaded automatically saved on the downloads folder. This turns out slightly different when locating AirDrop features on iPhone or iPad. You can easily access the downloads folder in your Finder to track down the recently downloaded files on your Mac. Whatever the AirDrop files are, whether photos, videos, documents, or presentations, you will find them in the same location.

Part 4: Bonus Tips: How to Transfer Files from Mac to iPhone with Dr.Fone - Phone Manager

Suppose you have a Mac and an iPhone. Chances are, you will want to transfer files from one device to another for various reasons. You will need convenient ways to share files from the Mac to the iPhone without experiencing delays during the transfer. You may need a third-party tool that makes the transfer process easier. Dr.Fone – Phone Manager offers a seamless solution to transfer files from Mac to iPhone. This software provides a comprehensive solution and works reliably even with other Apple devices like the iPad. The following step-to-step guide will help you transfer files from Mac to iPhone easily.

Step 1: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the Mac.

Step 2: Choose Phone Manager from the Dr.Fone interface.

Step 3: Choose "Transfer Device Photos to PC." You can view Tabs on individual sections such as Videos, photos, or music from the Dr.Fone interface.

Step 4: You will see all files by clicking on any of the tabs, such as music albums, photo albums, and others listed and shown as larger thumbnails

Step 5: You can explore the tabs on top of the interface and select desired sections like photos, videos, music, and apps to choose the items you want to transfer to your iPhone.