Alex Ruben
How To Enable AirDrop in iOS 18: The Complete Setup Guide
Getting AirDrop to work smoothly can sometimes be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’ve just updated your iPhone or are trying to share with a new device. Sometimes toggling settings or jumping into system menus can fix weird glitches—it’s kind of annoying, but it’s a common frustration. This guide is for anyone who wants to send files quickly without messing around with cables or email. Once set up correctly, AirDrop can be a lifesaver for quick transfers of photos, documents, or even links — no long waits, just a tap or two. Expect to get both devices set up, see the options pop up, and finally hit “Accept” or “Decline” — it’s pretty straightforward once everything’s aligned, but not always obvious at first glance.
Pre-requisites to Use AirDrop
Before diving into the setup, double-check these points. Otherwise, your AirDrop might just stay invisible or refuse to work. It’s a good idea to make sure:
- Your iPhone is running iOS 18 — developers love sneaking in tiny update quirks, so make sure it’s up to date via Settings > General > Software Update.
- Bluetooth is active (Settings > Bluetooth) and turned on. Yeah, Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi. They work together here but sometimes get toggled separately.
- Wi-Fi is also enabled, since AirDrop uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to establish the connection.
- Both devices are relatively close—like, within a few meters. Apple’s magic relies on proximity, or it’s not gonna find anything.
How to Enable AirDrop on Your iPhone
Making sure AirDrop is visible and available
It’s super easy to turn on, but because of how Apple likes to hide things, you’ve gotta go into the Control Center:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone (on older models, it might be swipe up from the bottom).
- Press and hold the network settings card (where Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are).
- If you see the AirDrop icon (looks like a concentric circles or a network symbol), tap it. Otherwise, tap the little arrow or expand menu if needed.
- Select Contacts Only or Everyone.
Choosing Contacts Only is safer, but if you’re sharing with someone new, switch to Everyone. Just don’t leave it open forever; switch back after sharing. On some setups, turning AirDrop off and on again — or toggling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi — helps fix weird detection issues. Usually, it’s just a case of devices not “seeing” each other because of a fleeting glitch.
Enabling AirDrop on the device you want to share with
Same story here; it’s all about making sure the other device has AirDrop enabled in the Control Center:
- Open the Control Center on that device (swipe down or up as needed).
- Tap AirDrop.
- Choose your preference—either Contacts Only or Everyone—depending on who you’re sharing with and your privacy comfort level.
If sharing with a Mac, it’s a bit different: go to Finder > Go > AirDrop. Make sure your Mac has AirDrop set to be discoverable either by Contacts or Everyone.
How to Share Files Using AirDrop
Getting files ready to send
Open up that photo, document, or whatever you’re trying to send. Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing up). Sometimes it’s hidden behind other menu items—just look for that icon in Photos, Notes, or Files.
Sending the file
- Tap on AirDrop in the share sheet.
- Pick the device you’ve set up earlier from the list that pops up—wait for it, sometimes it shows multiple options, especially in crowded places.
- A notification pops up on the recipient’s device asking to Accept or Decline.
How to Accept the AirDrop Transfer
Final step for the recipient
If everything’s working right, a prompt will appear on their device asking whether they want to accept the incoming file. It might just look like a banner or pop-up. Tap Accept. The file then starts transferring — sometimes pretty quick, sometimes painfully slow, depending on Wi-Fi signal and file size.
If it doesn’t show up, check the AirDrop settings again, or restart Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Because of course, Apple has to make it harder than necessary, right?
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Some of the usual suspects —> If AirDrop is being stubborn:
- Make sure both devices are as close as possible; walls and furniture can block the magic.
- Toggle Airplane Mode on and off — this resets the radios just enough to sometimes fix the glitch.
- On both devices, try turning Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off, wait a few seconds, then switch back on. It’s surprising how often that solves the problem.
- On some setups, a reboot helps clear random network hiccups, especially after recent updates.
Wrap-up
Once everything’s set, sharing files becomes almost effortless — no cables, no emails, just a quick tap and done. It’s kinda weird how some steps are hidden behind menus, but once you get used to it, it’s second nature. Just keep your devices nearby, and the rest should fall into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if AirDrop isn’t showing up?
If nothing shows up in the AirDrop menu, double-check that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on and that both devices are visible to each other. Also, verify that AirDrop is enabled and set to either Contacts Only or Everyone. Sometimes a restart helps nudge it awake.
Can I AirDrop to non-Apple devices?
Nope. AirDrop is exclusive to Apple devices only. If you need to send files to a Windows PC or Android, you’re better off using third-party apps like SendAnywhere, WhatsApp, or cloud services.
Is AirDrop safe to use?
Yes — for the most part. It encrypts file transfers, so it’s fairly secure. Still, avoid accepting files from strangers or shady sources. Also, remember to turn AirDrop back to contacts-only or turn it off when not in use.
- Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both devices.
- Keep devices close together during transfer.
- Switch AirDrop settings from Everyone to Contacts Only after sharing.