Technology

How to enable AirDrop permanently with just a few simple steps

Enabling AirDrop is fairly easy for most people, but it can be a bit challenging for those who are new to using an iPhone. This is a feature that is essential when you need to share data such as photos, videos, files from different iDevices.

Administrator

29 February, 2024

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Although AirDrop is a convenient feature, Apple limits the usage time of each AirDrop session. In this article, let’s learn how to permanently enable AirDrop for everyone on the iPhone.

1. How AirDrop works

The principle of AirDrop is to use wireless connectivity technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to create an invisible connection between Apple devices in close range. This allows data to be exchanged and shared quickly and conveniently.

When you enable AirDrop on your iPhone, the device will automatically create a connection within a relatively short range. iDevices that are also enabled with AirDrop and within this connection range will be displayed on your device’s screen. The data transfer process does not require the use of network or internet data, making data sharing efficient and fast.

AirDrop is a great feature for iDevices as it allows for sharing a variety of data types such as videos, links, files, photos, and even text. When you share a file or content, AirDrop sends a request to the receiving device, and the recipient needs to accept this request to receive the shared information. If the recipient clicks the agree button, the file will be transferred via AirDrop and saved on their device.

A strong advantage of AirDrop is its security. When you select the “Contacts Only” option, AirDrop will only display connections that you have saved in your contact list, helping you avoid unwanted files or malicious files from unknown connections.

2. How to permanently enable AirDrop for everyone on iPhone

The steps to activate AirDrop on iPhone, note that permanent AirDrop is only applicable to iPhones using iOS version 16.1 and below.

Step 1: Swipe down from the top right corner to open the Control Center for iPhone X and above. Swipe up from the bottom for iPhones with a home button (iPhone 8 Plus and below).
Step 2: Press and hold for 1 – 2 seconds the square containing the Bluetooth, Data, WiFi, and Airplane symbols. Then, the screen will display a square containing more icons, including AirDrop.

Step 3: Click on the AirDrop icon. When you press the AirDrop button, the screen will display three different options: Contacts Only, Everyone, and Receiving Off.

Step 4: If you want to allow data sharing with everyone, press the Everyone option. At this point, your AirDrop is enabled to share data with any Apple device within the surrounding range.

3. How to enable limited-time AirDrop

If you are concerned about the potential risks of permanent mode, you can use the AirDrop feature for 10 minutes with the following steps. The operation steps are the same, but note that this feature is only available on iPhones using iOS 16.2 or later.

Step 1: Swipe down from the top right corner to open the Control Center for iPhone X and above. Swipe up from the bottom for iPhones with a home button (iPhone 8 Plus and below).
Step 2: Press and hold for 1 – 2 seconds the square containing symbols such as Bluetooth, Data, WiFi, and Airplane. Then, the screen will display a square containing more icons, including AirDrop. Click on AirDrop.

Step 3: Here, the screen will display the three options: Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone for 10 minutes. Click on the third line to activate AirDrop for 10 minutes.

This feature is designed to help users avoid receiving unwanted content through AirDrop when they forget to turn off the function.

Frequently asked questions

AirDrop is a feature on Apple devices that allows wireless file sharing between devices. It uses a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to create a peer-to-peer network, enabling direct device-to-device transfers without the need for an internet connection.

There could be several reasons why AirDrop isn’t working or not showing up on your device. It might be due to one or a combination of the following factors: insufficient system resources, outdated software, incorrect settings, hardware or software restrictions, or interference from security software.

To enable AirDrop permanently, make sure both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on. Then, open Control Center and tap on the AirDrop icon. Select ‘Everyone’ to make your device discoverable to all nearby AirDrop users. Alternatively, you can choose ‘Contacts Only’ if you prefer a more restricted sharing option.

Enabling AirDrop permanently offers several advantages. It provides a quick and convenient way to share files, photos, videos, and more with nearby Apple devices. With AirDrop enabled, you can instantly transfer content without the need for emails, messaging apps, or cloud services. It’s a direct and secure way to share between Apple devices.

While AirDrop is designed with security in mind, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure that you only accept files from trusted sources to minimize the risk of receiving malicious content. Additionally, be mindful of your surroundings and the people nearby when using AirDrop in public places, as anyone within range can potentially send you files.