The simplicity of AirDrop is what makes it so appealing. Instead of painfully sharing data through Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud storage service, it's an instant transfer from one device to another that (in most situations) takes only seconds.
Apple uses AirDrop to establish a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection between the two devices involved in an AirDrop exchange. These gadgets interact directly and do not need to be connected to the same internet connection.
TO USE AIRDROP, YOU MUST:
Be near the person or device you want to share something with.
Both parties must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled — you don’t have to be on the same Wi-Fi network, however — and have the Personal Hotspot feature switched off.
HOW TO SHARE WITH AIRDROP ON YOUR IPHONE OR IPAD:
When you’re in any app that has a file you want to send via AirDrop, tap the Share icon.
Tap AirDrop. If you and the recipient have an iPhone 11 or later, you can point your iPhone in their direction to prioritize them in the list of nearby AirDrop users.
If you’ve got an older iPhone, you’ll see a list of potential AirDrop recipients that are within range.
People in the People row are known contacts. Choose the individual with whom you wish to share your file. In the Devices section, you'll also find your own Apple devices. Choose one of these if all you want to do is send anything from one device to another. AirDrop users in the area will appear in the Other People row.
A notice will be sent to the recipient, along with a preview of the information being shared. They can then approve or reject the file transmission. (Please keep in mind that you will not see this while exchanging files between your own Apple devices.)
HOW TO LIMIT WHO CAN CONTACT YOU VIA AIRDROP:
Some people like emailing jokes — or, more disturbingly, filthy stuff — to total strangers using AirDrop. Fortunately, Apple provides a few choices for restricting how easy you may be reached with the function.
Open Control Center on either iOS or iPadOS and long-press on the Wi-Fi icon.
Select AirDrop from the next menu.
From here, you may stop AirDrop completely, limit it to recognized contacts, or expose yourself to everyone around. If you choose “Contacts Only,” you must have the recipient’s Apple ID email address or phone number assigned to their contact info for them to appear in AirDrop.