You can wirelessly transfer files, photos and videos from Mac to iPhone by using AirDrop, without the need to connect your iPhone to Mac using a lightning to USB cable.
Before going ahead with the steps to AirDrop from Mac to iPhone, make sure that both iPhone and Mac fulfill the following requirements.
- Your Mac needs to be 2012 or later version, running OS X Yosemite or later versions of macOS.
- iPhone needs to be iPhone 5 or later version.
- If you have created a Personal Hotspot on iPhone, it needs to be disabled.
If your device meets above requirements, you can follow the steps as provided below to setup AirDrop on both sending (Mac) and the Receiving device (iPhone).
AirDrop Photos, Files from Mac to iPhone
The AirDrop feature makes use of Bluetooth to locate nearby devices and Wi-Fi network to transfer data from one Apple device to another. Hence, the first step is make sure that both sending device (MacBook) and the receiving device (iPhone) are connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
On Mac: Click on the Bluetooth Icon in the top menu-bar (top-right corner) and move the toggle next to Bluetooth to ON position.
Similarly, select the Wi-Fi icon located in the top-menu bar and move the toggle next to Wi-Fi to ON position.
On iPhone: Open Settings > tap on Bluetooth > on the next screen, move the toggle next to Bluetooth to ON position.
Next, make sure the toggle next to Wi-Fi is set to ON position.
After this, you can follow the steps below to setup the AirDrop feature on your Mac and iPhone.
1. Setup AirDrop on Mac (Sending Device)
Follow the steps below the setup your MacBook to send photos and files using AirDrop.
1. Click on the Finder icon, located in the Dock of your Mac.
2. Next, click on the Go tab in top-menu bar and select AirDrop in the drop-down menu.
3. On the AirDrop 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.
2. Setup iPhone to Use AirDrop
Follow the steps below the setup your iPhone to receive photos and files using AirDrop.
1. Open Settings > tap on General.
2. From the next screen, go to Airdrop and select the Everyone option.
Note: You can also select Contacts only option, but choosing Everyone reduces chances of errors.
3. Transfer Files From Mac to iPhone Using AirDrop
Once your Mac and iPhone are setup to use AirDrop, it becomes really easy to transfer Files, Photos, Videos and other Data from Mac to iPhone.
1. Click on the Finder icon located in the Dock of your Mac.
2. In the Finder window, click on AirDrop option, located in the left-pane.
3. Select the File that you want to transfer to iPhone and drag the File into the iPhone’s circle (See above image).
4. Transfer Photos From Mac to iPhone Using AirDrop
Once the sending and the receiving devices are setup for AirDrop, you can follow the steps below to Transfer Photos from Mac to iPhone using AirDrop.
1. Open the Photos app on your Mac and select Photos or videos that you want to AirDrop to iPhone.
2. Once the Photos are selected, click on the Share icon located at the top-left corner.
3. From the drop-down menu, click on AirDrop.
4. On the pop-up that appears, select your iPhone.
The selected Photos will be magically transferred to your iPhone.