How to use Apple's AirDrop over a cellular connection

November 6, 2023

`How to use Apple's AirDrop over a cellular connection`

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How to use Apple’s AirDrop over a cellular connection

With iOS 17.1 on your iPhone or cellular-equipped iPad, you no longer need a Wi-Fi connection to send items to nearby devices via AirDrop.

Written by Lance Whitney, Contributor

Apple’s AirDrop has long been a quick and convenient way to wirelessly transfer photos, videos, notes, contacts, files, and other content to a nearby iPhone or iPad. In the past, though, you could use AirDrop only through Wi-Fi. But with iOS 17.1 on your phone, you can now use it to share items over a cellular connection. Here’s how.

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How to use AirDrop over a cellular connection

1. Update your iPhone

First, make sure you’re running iOS 17.1 or higher on your iPhone. Go to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Updates. Allow the latest update to download and install.

2. Enable cellular data for AirDrop

Next, go to Settings, select General, and then tap AirDrop. Turn on the switch for Use Cellular Data if it’s not already on.

3. Update the other person’s device

To share content using AirDrop with someone else, that person also needs to be running the latest supported OS version on their Apple device — iOS 17.1 or iPadOS 17.1.

Also: iPhone users who don’t want to be tracked need Apple’s iOS 17.1 privacy patch

4. Enable cellular data for the other person

To enable cellular data on the other person’s iPhone or cellular-equipped iPad, go to Settings, select General, tap AirDrop, and then turn on the switch for Use Cellular Data. While you’re here, make sure AirDrop is set to either Contacts Only (if you’re in the person’s contact list) or Everyone for 10 Minutes (if you’re not in the list and want temporary access).

5. Force your phone to use cellular

Now it’s time to try using AirDrop over a cellular connection. For this, head to a location without Wi-Fi access but with cellular service. Alternatively, you can simply test the feature by disconnecting from your current Wi-Fi network to force your phone to use cellular. To do this, go to Settings and select Wi-Fi. Tap the Info icon for your current network and select Forget This Network. (But make sure you know the Wi-Fi password so that you can sign back into this network). Your phone should then display LTE or 5G at the top.

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6. Transfer an item using AirDrop over Cellular

Next, open a photo, video, note, or other item that you want to transfer. Tap the iOS Share icon and choose AirDrop as the method.

7. Select the other person’s name to complete the transfer

An icon with an image of the other person should then pop up. Tap that icon. The other person then receives a notification of the AirDrop transfer. That person taps Accept to approve the process. The transferred file then appears in its associated app.