📋 Verified Walkthrough
Mac • Photos

How do I send photos from my iPhone to my Mac using AirDrop?

Direct Answer

On your iPhone, open the Photos app, select your pictures, tap the Share icon (square with arrow pointing up), tap "AirDrop," and tap your Mac's name. The photos will appear instantly in your Mac Downloads folder.

Why You Might Want to Do This

  • To transfer high-resolution family photos or videos to your computer without plugging in cords or emailing them to yourself.
  • To transfer pictures in seconds with zero loss in image quality.

Before You Start

  • Both your iPhone and Mac should have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
  • Keep your iPhone within 30 feet of your Mac.

AirDrop is completely private and transfers directly between your devices over an encrypted local connection.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Open the Photos app on your iPhone

    Tap the colorful flower Photos app icon on your iPhone home screen.

    👀 Multi-colored flower icon on white background.

  2. 2

    Tap the photo(s) you want to send

    Tap on the picture you want to send. (If you want to send multiple pictures, tap "Select" in the top-right and tap each photo to checkmark it).

    👀 Selected photo with blue checkmark.

    3. ✅ Success Checkpoint: You're Doing Great

    If your screen matches the description above, you have followed the steps correctly. Continue to the next step.

  3. 3

    Tap the Share icon (square with arrow up)

    Look at the bottom-left corner of your iPhone screen and tap the small square box with an arrow pointing upward.

    👀 Square box with upward pointing arrow.

  4. 4

    Tap "AirDrop"

    In the share menu that pops up, tap the round blue icon with concentric arcs labeled "AirDrop."

    👀 Round blue icon with expanding circles.

  5. 5

    Tap your Mac's name in the list

    You will see a circle with your Mac or MacBook's name (e.g., "Mary's MacBook Air"). Tap it once. Your photos will chime and land directly in your Mac's Downloads folder.

    👀 Circle showing your Mac's icon and name.

If You Don't See It / Troubleshooting

If your Mac does not show up in the AirDrop list

On your Mac, open Finder (blue face on Dock), click "AirDrop" on the left sidebar, and make sure the bottom setting says "Allow me to be discovered by: Everyone" or "Contacts Only."

Good to Know

  • AirDrop does not use your cellular data or home internet bandwidth.
  • You can also send entire photo albums or long home videos this way without file size limits.