How to Use AirDrop on iPad to Send Photos and Files

To use AirDrop on an iPad, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, choose who can receive items, then open the item’s Share menu and select a nearby Apple device. You can send photos, documents, webpages, notes, contacts, locations, and other shared content to a compatible iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac without email or a cable. The recipient taps `Accept`, and the item opens in the app that handles it, such as Photos, Files, or Safari.

What to turn on before you use AirDrop on iPad

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

• An iPad mini, iPad 4th generation or later, iPad Air, or iPad Pro running a compatible version of iPadOS.
• A nearby compatible iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac that supports AirDrop. Macs generally need OS X Yosemite or later for AirDrop with iPhone or iPad.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on for both devices.
• Both devices unlocked, with the receiving device’s screen awake.
• Personal Hotspot turned off on either device.

The devices do not need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network, but Wi-Fi must be enabled on both. Bluetooth must also be enabled so the devices can discover one another. Keep the devices close together, and make sure the recipient is signed in and able to respond to the AirDrop request.

To choose who can send items to your iPad, open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner. Touch and hold the group of network controls, tap AirDrop, and choose one of these options:

• Receiving Off: Your iPad cannot receive AirDrop items.
• Contacts Only: Only people whose Apple Account information is saved in your Contacts can send items. The sender must have an email address or phone number associated with their Apple Account in your contact card.
• Everyone for 10 Minutes: Nearby Apple devices can see your iPad for 10 minutes. After that, AirDrop changes back according to your settings, commonly Contacts Only or Receiving Off.

You can also change this setting in Settings > General > AirDrop. Set AirDrop to Everyone for 10 Minutes temporarily when you are sending to someone who is not in your contacts.

How to send a photo, file, or link from your iPad

AirDrop starts from the Share button in the app that contains the item. The layout varies by app, but the basic steps are the same.

1. Open the app that contains what you want to send.
2. Select or open the item.
3. Tap Share.
4. Tap AirDrop in the sharing options if a recipient does not already appear at the top of the share sheet.
5. Tap the nearby person or device shown under the AirDrop section.
6. Wait for the recipient to accept the item, unless both devices are signed in to the same Apple Account and the transfer is accepted automatically.

To send photos, open Photos, select one or more images, and tap the Share button. Choose AirDrop, then tap the recipient’s name or device. The selected photos transfer at their original shareable quality unless you change the sharing options in the share sheet.

To send a PDF or another document, open Files and locate the document. Touch and hold the file, tap Share, choose AirDrop, and select the recipient. The same process works for a note, contact, location, scan, or other item that provides a Share button.

To send a webpage, open it in Safari, tap the Share button, choose AirDrop, and select the nearby device. The recipient receives a link and can open it in a browser. In apps such as Maps, Notes, and Books, use that app’s Share button and then select AirDrop.

If the recipient’s device does not appear, close the share sheet while you check the AirDrop settings and connection conditions. Reopen the share sheet after making a change.

How to accept AirDrop and find what you received

When someone sends an item to your iPad, an AirDrop notification appears. Tap Accept to receive it or Decline to reject it. If the sender and recipient are signed in to the same Apple Account, the transfer is normally accepted automatically rather than showing a prompt.

After you accept, iPadOS places the item according to its type and the app that shared it:

• Photos and videos usually appear in the Photos app, often in the Recently Saved or Recents area.
• PDFs and many other documents usually open in the app selected by iPadOS or appear in Files, commonly under Downloads or On My iPad.
• Webpages open in Safari.
• Links shared from other apps may open in that app or in Safari.
• Contacts, locations, and app-specific content open in the corresponding app when supported.

If you cannot find a document, open Files and check Recents, Downloads, On My iPad, and iCloud Drive. You can also search by the file’s name in the Files search field. For photos, check Photos; for a webpage, check Safari.

What to do when AirDrop cannot find the other device

Check the settings in this order. One device not accepting AirDrop is often the cause.

1. On both devices, open Control Center, touch and hold the network controls, tap AirDrop, and choose Everyone for 10 Minutes temporarily. If the transfer works, change the setting back to Contacts Only afterward.
2. Confirm that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on on both devices. They do not need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Turn off Personal Hotspot on both devices. AirDrop may not work while a device is sharing its cellular connection through Personal Hotspot.
4. Unlock both devices and keep their screens awake. A locked recipient may not appear or may not accept the transfer until it is unlocked.
5. Move the devices close together and remove unnecessary distance or obstacles. AirDrop is intended for nearby devices.
6. Confirm compatibility. The iPad must be an iPad mini, iPad 4th generation or later, iPad Air, or iPad Pro running compatible iPadOS. The recipient must be a compatible iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac with AirDrop support.
7. Install available software updates on both devices if AirDrop still does not appear. Older iPadOS, iOS, or macOS versions can create compatibility problems.
8. Close the Share sheet, reopen it, and try again after changing the settings.
9. Restart both devices only after the checks above fail, then repeat the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and unlocking checks.

If Contacts Only still prevents discovery, verify that the sender’s Apple Account email address or phone number is saved in the recipient’s Contacts. Using Everyone for 10 Minutes helps distinguish a contact-matching problem from a connection or compatibility problem.

Conclusion

AirDrop worked when the recipient received the request or the item opened automatically in its usual app: photos in Photos, many documents in Files, and webpages in Safari. After the transfer, switch AirDrop back to `Contacts Only` or `Receiving Off` if you do not want nearby devices to discover your iPad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirDrop without Wi-Fi or cellular data?

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on, but the devices do not need internet access or a shared Wi-Fi network. AirDrop transfers the item directly between nearby Apple devices.

Why does AirDrop show no devices on my iPad?

Check that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, Personal Hotspot disabled, AirDrop set to an accepting option, and screens unlocked. Keep the devices close together, then confirm that both support AirDrop.

Where do AirDropped PDFs go on an iPad?

They usually open in the app chosen by iPadOS or appear in the Files app. Check Recents, Downloads, On My iPad, and iCloud Drive.