How to Turn Off AirDrop

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 10, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to turn off the short-range, wireless sharing function on your Apple device.^{[1]
X
Research source} AirDrop uses Bluetooth on iPhone, iPad, or Mac to create a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

On iPhone or iPad

1
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Doing so opens the Control Center.
2
Tap AirDrop:. It's a button in the right-center of the Control Center.
- The setting's current status will be displayed below the word "AirDrop." The status will be one of the following:^{[2]
  X
  Research source}^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
  - Receiving Off
  - Contacts Only
  - Everyone
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3
Tap Receiving Off. AirDrop is now off, and your device will not be able to receive photos or other data over AirDrop until you re-enable it.^{[4]
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Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

1
Click on Finder on your Mac. It's a blue and light blue icon that contains a smiley face and is usually located in your Dock. This opens a Finder window on your desktop.^{[5]
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Research source}
2
Click on AirDrop. It's under "Favorites" in the toolbar on the left side of the Finder window.
3
Click on the "Allow me to be discovered by." It's at the bottom of the Finder window and will bring up a drop-down menu.^{[6]
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Research source}
4
Click on No One. This will make it such that your Mac cannot be discovered by nearby devices using AirDrop.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I delete AirDrop?

Community Answer

To date, there is no way you can delete AirDrop, but you can turn it off by heading to Settings, then General, then clicking AirDrop. From there, click receiving off.
Question

How can I tell if I am sending air drop?

Community Answer

You can tell if you are sending an airdrop if you click on who you want to send it to. It will will say sending under the name.