Google is reportedly testing a new ‘Fast Share‘ which works similarly to Apple's Airdrop. That's it lets you share photos, text, and other files to nearby devices using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct without the Internet. But also allows cross-platform sharing between iPhones, Android smartphones, and more. Alternatives to AirDrop for Android, Windows, Linux, Mac, Android Tablet and more. Filter by license to discover only free or Open Source alternatives. This list contains a total of 25+ apps similar to AirDrop. List updated: 9/22/2020 12:37:00 AM.
Don't know how to AirDrop photos, videos and more other files from iPhone to Mac? This guide will tell you how to make it with AirDrop and an AirDrop alternative, also share solutions for common AirDrop problems you may meet.
Unfortunately, AirDrop only works on Apple platforms. They have never branched out and developed the technology for other platforms like Windows and Android. However, you can find substitutions that will work in the same way on PC and Android. You can also send files between two Windows machines as AirDrop does between two Macs. There are plenty of ways to transfer large files between Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, including AirDrop, Google Photos, Bluetooth transfer, and third-party programs. You need to copy a. Google announced that it's releasing Nearby Share, an AirDrop competitor for Android. Nearby Share does precisely what its name implies; it allows Android owners to share files directly to.
iPhone Transfer Tips
AirDrop is a service that Apple added to iOS and Mac devices to share files since iOS 7 and Mac OS X lion (10/7). By using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, AirDrop enables you to transfer files from iPhone to Mac in a wireless way. This post tells you how to use AirDrop and an AirDrop alternative to transfer files from iPhone to Mac, including all the models of Mac computer such as iMac, Mac Pro, Mac mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, etc. Meanwhile, this post also provides you solutions for some common problems you may meet when using AirDrop. Let's see in 3 parts.
Part 1: How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac Directly
Airdrop For Android To Mac
Normally, it is pretty simple to share files from iPhone to Mac after turning on AirDrop on both of your iPhone and Mac computer. Follow the steps below to see how to turn on AirDrop on Mac/MacBook/iMac/iPhone and then AirDrop iPhone to Mac.
Step 1. Turn on AirDrop on Mac
First of all, you should turn on AirDrop on Mac computer. Well, how to turn on AirDrop on Mac/MacBook/iMac? Turn on Wi-Fi. Open a Finder window and choose 'AirDrop' from the sidebar > Check the box of 'Allow me to be discovered by:'. > Select either 'Everyone' or 'Contacts Only'. Please note that always keep the Finder window open as it enables AirDrop.
How to AirDrop iPhone to Mac – Turn on AirDrop on Mac
Step 2. Turn on AirDrop on iPhone
Generally speaking, AirDrop would be automatically turned on if you have turned on your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your iPhone. If not, you can turn on AirDrop on iPhone's Control Center. Some users reported that AirDrop is missing on iOS 11, actually, it still there. Here are detailed steps to turn on it:
- Sweep up from the bottom of your iPhone's screen to open Control Center.
- Long press the square as we show. Then a window will pop up. Tap on AirDrop to turn it on.
- Select Only Contacts or Everyone.
How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac – Turn on AirDrop on iPhone
Step 3. AirDrop iPhone to Mac
- Wait a few seconds then the Mac with AirDrop enabled will appear in the list.
- Tap on that Mac/User ID to immediately start sending data to the Mac.
Part 2: How to Share Files from iPhone to Mac via AirDrop Alternative
The file types that you can share from iPhone to Mac computer via AirDrop are limited. AirDrop only supports sharing photos, videos, and locations. What's more, it only supports sharing one type of data at once, and both your iPhone and Computer need to have the feature of AirDrop, however, not all iPhones support it.
Therefore, if you want to share data like music, contacts, notes, videos, ringtones and more from iPhone to Mac at the same time, here is a better option – using – AnyTrans, which allows you to transfer or backup iOS contents from iPhone to computer and also fitted with other features like:
1. It supports transferring almost all kinds of data from iPhone to computer, like music, contacts, photos, live photos, videos, notes, ringtones, messages and so on. And, the vice versa, that is to say you can use it to sync or transfer data from computer to iPhone without iTunes.
2. Besides transferring data from iPhone to computer, AnyTrans also supports transferring data between iOS devices, between iOS device and iTunes Library, from iOS device to iCloud, between computer and iCloud, and even from Android to iOS.
3. It transfers data with fast speed. It would only take 5 minutes to transfer 3000 photos with original resolution. It is developed by an Apple certificated developer and also Norton and McAfee secured, which means there is no risk of information leakage.
4. It is easy to operate. Both of basic and advanced users can use it without any problem. It works well on both Mac and PC computer, and supports all iPhones, iPads and iPods.
Now, download AnyTrans and follow steps below to share files from iPhone to Mac.
Step 1. Install AnyTrans on your Mac computer and connect your iPhone with USB cable > Select the option that says Content to PC.
Transfer Data from iPhone to Computer with AnyTrans – Step 1
Step 2. There are many types of data you can choose. Check the file categories you want to transfer > Click the Next button to start transferring.
Transfer Data from iPhone to Computer with AnyTrans – Step 2
Then you can open the export folder to check these photos.
As you can see, you can also use this AirDrop alternative to share photos or other data from iPhone to another iOS device, to iCloud directly.
If you want to do that, here are some articles can help you make it with ease:
Part 3: Problems You May Meet When Using AirDrop
There are some problems that you may encounter when you AirDrop from iPhone to MacBook, including AirDrop not showing up in Control Center, can't AirDrop music, Mac can't find iPhone and so on. If you encounter one of them, please keep reading, you can find the solution.
1. AirDrop not showing up in Control Center.
Some iPhone/iPad users reported that they couldn't find AirDrop in Control center. Actually, it's just a common issue that can be easily fixed. Just got to Settings app and find Restrictions item to allow AirDrop service running on your iPhone.
2. AirDrop not showing up in finder.
There are only specific Mac models that could be compatible to use AirDrop. If AirDrop doesn't show up in finder, maybe it is the Mac you have is not compatible with AirDrop. Below is the list of Mac models which support AirDrop.
MacBook Pro (Late 2008 or newer), MacBook Air (Late 2010 or Newer), MacBook (Late 2008 or newer, iMac (Early 2009 or newer), Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer), Mac Pro (Early 2009 with Airport Extreme card or Mid 2010).
As for other Mac computers, as long as the Mac is vaguely modern with a somewhat recent Mac OS or Mac OS X release that has Bluetooth, AirDrop works just fine without hassle.
3. Mac can't find iPhone.
If Mac can't find iPhone, please try to restart both devices. If not working, then make sure AirDrop is set to 'Everyone' instead of 'Contacts Only'.
4. Can't AirDrop Music.
This is one problem that you cannot solve because Apple doesn't allow you to share music directly from iPhone to another place via AirDrop. The file types that you can share via AirDrop are limited actually. AirDrop only supports sharing photos, videos, locations, under this circumstances, you can use a professional transfer tool, such as AnyTrans – transfer 20+ file types.
5. Some other problems.
You may drop into some other troubles when using AirDrop. You can read our previous post, AirDrop Not Working, which shows you some basic tips to fix issue of AirDrop not working on your iPhone.
The Bottom Line
That's all for how to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac and the introduction of an AirDrop alternative – AnyTrans. If you find this post helps, please give this article a like or share it with others. At last, don't forget to download it to have a try. It won't let you done.
Product-related questions? Contact Our Support Team to Get Quick Solution >
Once you enter your details and install the official AirDroid app on your Android (also available on Uptodown), you can access all the different sections of the program. It's possible to send all kinds of files and even create folders from Windows that will sync remotely. You can also access your entire text message history along with your call log and your contacts list, as well.
One of the more interesting options is the AirMirror service, which will broadcast a sort of mirror image where you can see the screen of your Android and even interact with it via the mouse. This, along with other practical uses, like receiving all your notifications from the notification bar on your Windows desktop, makes AirDroid an especially useful tool.
Recently we celebrated the arrival of a new version of AirDroid, which is probably the best app out there for controlling your Android from a PC. It was a welcome change given that its new interface conforms to Material Design standards. Everything was going fine until Zimperium, a firm focused on business mobile security, detected problems that put users' data at risk. Panic spread like wildfire, although the ensuing days have shown that it might not be quite so big of a deal. [Editor's Update: The security issues have been resolved as of December 15.] We get, though, that you might still have worries about AirDroid – heck, I do myself – so here are four alternatives (plus an extra) to this popular app.
Ten days or so ago we were discussing a few different alternatives to AirDroid after huge breaches had been discovered in its connectivity system that endangered the security and privacy of the app's users. The dangers were limited to connections over unsecured networks but it was still a serious issue. Luckily, as of this week we can say the problem has been solved: the new AirDroid update has fixed the security problems.
Airdrop Android To Apple
AirDroid comes out in version 4.0 with a design revampAirdrop From Mac To Android
We've all got apps that we're obsessed with and install on every device we get ahold of. Apps that are essential for every phone we have. At least that's what happens to me with one app in particular: AirDroid has been with me for many years now. I could almost say it's part of the family. This app to control Android devices from a computer gets better with every new update. And with its latest killer revamp, it's now better than ever.
