Share content between devices

There are lots of ways to share content between Apple devices. Use AirDrop to share files, photos, passwords and more, or copy and paste between devices using Universal Clipboard.

Share files and more with AirDrop

The AirDrop dialog on a Mac shows a file being sent to a nearby iPhone. Next to it, the iPhone shows a notification that lets the person accept or decline the file.

AirDrop makes it easy to share files with a nearby Mac, iPhone, or iPad. The devices don’t need to share the same Apple Account.

Turn on AirDrop. Click in the menu bar, then click AirDrop . Select “Contacts only” or “Everyone” to control who can AirDrop content to you.

Send a file. Open the item you want to send, click in the toolbar, then choose AirDrop.

From the Finder, you can also click in the Dock, then click AirDrop in the sidebar on the left. When the person you want to send a file to appears in the window, drag the file to them from the desktop or another Finder window. When you send a file to someone, the recipient can choose whether or not to accept the file.

Tip: If you don’t see the recipient in the AirDrop window, make sure both devices have AirDrop, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth turned on and are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other. If the recipient is using an older Mac, try clicking “Don’t see who you’re looking for?”

Receive items using AirDrop. When someone uses AirDrop to send an item to you on your Mac, you can choose whether to accept it in the AirDrop notification. Some items are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. For others, you can choose the location—for example, you can save a photo in the Downloads folder or open it in Photos.

Learn more. See Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices.

Use Handoff on your Mac

With Handoff, you can continue on one device where you left off on another. Start a FaceTime call on your iPhone, then transfer the call to your Mac Studio when you get back to your desk. Or work on a presentation on your Mac Studio, then continue on your iPad. Handoff works with FaceTime, Safari, Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Maps, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Keynote, Numbers, and Pages.

Turn on Handoff on your Mac Studio. Open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, click Airdrop & Handoff, then select “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.”

Turn on Handoff on your iOS or iPadOS device. Go to Settings > General > Handoff, then tap to turn on Handoff. If you don’t see the option, your device doesn’t support Handoff.

Turn on Handoff on your Apple Watch. In the Apple Watch app on iPhone, go to Settings > General, then tap to turn on Enable Handoff.

Hand off actions between devices. For most activities, when your Mac Studio and other devices are near each other, an icon appears in the Dock when that activity can be handed off. Click the icon to hand off between your devices.

For FaceTime, if you want to hand off a call from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac Studio, click in the menu bar on your Mac, click Switch, then click Switch in the FaceTime window on your Mac. To hand off a FaceTime call from your Mac Studio to your iPhone or iPad, tap at the top of the iPhone or iPad screen, tap Switch, then tap Switch again.

Learn more. See