In the era of the Internet and mobile gadgets, the only thing we love more than seeing all kinds of content is to share it with our friends and family. Many of us probably remember the times when people transferred each other their favorite music and pictures via Bluetooth (someone remembers the infrared port). Now there are instant messengers, clouds, mail in the end, it would seem that there is no place left for Bluetooth. Whatever the case, this method of data transfer is still in use, although it has undergone some changes. Even Apple evangelists, living for a long time without such an opportunity, eventually got it.
AirDrop - what is it?
AirDrop is a technology designed to transmit data over Wi-Fi and using Bluetooth. This tool was developed by Apple and was presented in the summer of 2013.
Apple, as always, talked a lot about AirDrop, which is an important feature that simplifies communication at times and is the most reliable and fastest method of transferring data between devices over short distances. Speed and reliability are determined by the data transfer process.
With AirDrop, you can transfer anything, whether it be bulky files or web links. No problem, you can share any media content, notes, books, the main thing is to send via the standard “share” menu in iOS / Mac.
History
The release of the iPhone has had a significant impact on technology development. Steve Jobs, despite very conflicting ideas, knew how to convince, and even serious restrictions were eventually adopted, therefore for a long time the iPhone did not support the ability to transfer data via Bluetooth. Apple, led by Tim Cook, did not share such principles, and with an update to version 7 introduced a new feature - AirDrop. Initially, this function worked on iOS and Mac separately, but after the eighth version of iOS and the tenth OS X were released, it became possible to exchange files between a computer, smartphone and tablet.
How it works?
When transferring data, both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are used simultaneously (both options must be enabled in the gadget settings). AirDrop uses Bluetooth LE to create a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection between two devices. Each of the participants in the connection creates a firewall (firewall), necessary to protect the connection itself and the transmitted file, so that all data is protected and encrypted as much as possible, which makes sending via AirDrop safer than sending data by mail.
AirDrop, using Bluetooth, scans the surrounding area for the presence of devices available for connection in it. Devices should be fairly close for the first connection and the creation of an impromptu Wi-Fi network, after which the distance can be increased.
This technology is much simpler, more convenient and faster than what is used in Android. NFC technology, used in phones of other brands, requires finding exchange participants close to each other.
Supported Devices
Unfortunately for many users, the new data exchange tool does not work on all Apple devices.
For this feature to work on a Mac, it must be released no earlier than 2008, which includes:
Notebooks:
- Macbook Pro 2008 release.
- Macbook Air 2008 release.
Desktop computers:
- iMac 2009 and younger.
- Mac mini 2010 and under.
- Mac Pro 2010 and under.
It is important to note that data exchange with mobile devices requires a computer released no later than 2012 with OS X Yosemite preinstalled.
To exchange data on devices running iOS, you need:
- iPhone 5th generation and newer.
- iPad Pro
- 4th generation iPad and Air models.
- iPad mini.
- iPod touch 5th generation and later.
Many users were outraged and angry, “Why doesn’t the AirDrop iPad support?” That it was pure marketing and an attempt to force users to abandon the classic device in favor of newer ones. The developers hastened to clarify that such restrictions are caused by the lack of Bluetooth LE technology in older devices, as well as the presence of an outdated Wi-Fi module. Therefore, some old devices, including the first-generation iPad and iPhone 4s, AirDrop do not support. The same is true for computers with old network equipment.
AirDrop: how to enable, connect and start sharing? (iOS)
How does this feature work on iOS? First you need to open the control point (swipe up from the bottom of the screen), find the AirDrop icon in it, clicking on it, select one of the available options:
- Disabling AirDrop.
- The option is only for contacts (your device will be available for search only to those users who are listed in your address book).
- Option for everyone (your device will be searchable for anyone who wants to share with you).
To share content, you must use the standard “Share” menu. Find the desired content, click the icon in the form of an arrow and select the desired contact (the contacts will appear as photos at the top of the menu). The “share” menu is available in almost any application, both developed by Apple itself and those sold in the AppStore.
A notification will appear on the screen of the receiving device, in which it will be offered the opportunity to accept the file / content or refuse it. If agreed, the selected file will be instantly delivered to the device selected as the recipient. The delivered content will be opened in the corresponding application (links in Safari, photos in “Photos”, PDF in iBooks and so on).
Instructions for use (Mac)
On Mac computers, AirDrop is located in Finder. It is enough to find this subitem in the sidebar of the file manager and go to it. The window that appears will automatically offer to turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, after which it will go into working condition. At the bottom of the window is the “Allow my discovery” button, which will allow files to be exchanged with all users nearby, and not just those in the address book.
Files / content are sent according to the same principle as in iOS, just use the standard “Share” menu, but there is another option: going to the AirDrop folder, you will see a list of people who are ready to connect with you via AirDrop, just transfer them to them photo link / file / video, how sending will begin.
Received files are saved in the “Downloads” folder. If the owner of the devices is one person, then the files are sent to the “Downloads” without additional notification.
Known Issues
AirDrop is far from ideal, the program crashed at the time of release and continues to cause problems to this day. The problems concern both the exchange of data between mobile devices and the transfer of data from a computer to a tablet / smartphone. If AirDrop does not work for you, take a look at this list:
- The absence of AirDrop in Finder: if you encounter this, it means that your computer is not modern enough for this technology to work, you will have to put up with it or update your Mac.
- You can’t see any nearby users: users encounter this shortcoming quite often. There is no single solution for it, you must try to disable AirDrop, as well as the Wi-Fi connection on both devices, and then try again. If reconnecting does not help, you can make the device forget the Wi-Fi network if it connects to it during the exchange.
- Blocked connections on Mac: In the security settings of Apple computers, there is a blocking point for all incoming connections, which can block AirDrop. The solution is simple: you just need to disable this option.
- Pairing between iPhone / iPad and Mac: in the Bluetooth settings, you need to find the right device and pair with it in advance. To do this, go to “Settings> Bluetooth”, find the iPhone / iPad we need, click, then take the iOS device and enter the verification code (this method can also help when connecting two iOS devices, you need to make AirDrop understand that it is iPhone or iPad ready to connect and share in advance).
conclusions
After reading this material you should have no questions about AirDrop: what it is, how it works, and so on. Despite the fact that AirDrop does not always function, it has a number of problems and limitations, it is still worth paying tribute to the new Apple, which is ready to abandon some of its principles in favor of the convenience and comfort of users.