How to AirDrop files from a Mac computer to other Apple devices

AirDrop is a great way to quickly send and receive files that are too large for email.
Your Mac probably already has AirDrop turned on and you don't even know it.
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If you haven't taken advantage of AirDrop, you're missing out on what Gizmodo calls your " most underrated tool ." You can use AirDrop to send photos, videos, and documents between different Macs, and between a Mac and iPhone or iPad. It's a great way to quickly send large files from one Apple device to another.

AirDrop works over Bluetooth, so both the sending and receiving device must have Bluetooth turned on. In addition, AirDrop only works over relatively short distances. It's a great way to share files with your co-workers in the same office. You can't use it to send a video of your daughter's ballet recital to her grandma in another state.

Here's what you need to know to turn on AirDrop and start using the feature.

How to turn on AirDrop discovery on Mac and share files from a Finder window

The advantage of using AirDrop in a Finder window is that you can share multiple files quickly and adjust AirDrop's discovery feature.

1. Open Finder. Choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar at the top of your screen.

2. An AirDrop finder window will open. At the bottom of your screen you can click on "Allow me to be discovered by:" and toggle it to "No one," "Contacts only," or "Everyone." Select the appropriate option of the latter two options to share files.

3. Wait a moment for nearby devices to appear. Follow the steps above if you don't see the device you are looking for. If you continue to have trouble connecting, click on "Don't see what you're looking for?" You'll get instructions for finding older Macs.

AirDrop Finder window Laura McCamy/Business Insider

4. Drag files you want to share into the AirDrop window to share them instantly.

You can keep AirDrop in Favorites in Finder, to easily use it any time.

How to share with AirDrop from within a file on Mac

It just takes a few clicks to AirDrop a photo, video, or file from your Mac.

AirDrop a photo, video, or PDF

1. Find the sharing symbol (a small box with an arrow pointing up out of it) at the top of the window for your file, and click on it.

2. Choose AirDrop from the sharing menu that drops down.

Drop down menu in Photos Laura McCamy/Business Insider

3. A new window will appear showing nearby devices you can share with. If you don't see the device you're looking for, be patient. It can take a minute for AirDrop to find nearby devices. If your receiving device still doesn't show up, make sure you have Bluetooth turned on. If that doesn't work, try turning Bluetooth off and on again (I had to consistently toggle Bluetooth off and on to get my MacBook Pro to discover my iPhone 6S).

4. Click on the device you want to send to. Within moments, even if you're sending a long video, your file will be sent.

AirDrop a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file

1. In Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, click the "Share" button on the upper right corner of the window.

2. A box will pop up with several sharing options. Click "Send a Copy" at the bottom of the box.

3. A new box will pop up. Click the sharing icon. Choose AirDrop from the drop-down menu.

2nd sharing box in Office file copy Laura McCamy/Business Insider

4. A new window will appear to share your file with nearby devices.

5. Click the device you want to AirDrop to and your file will be sent.

How to receive files via AirDrop on your Mac

You can easily AirDrop files from an iPhone or iPad to your Mac. When someone sends you a file, you will be asked if you want to accept the file. Once you do, it will appear in your Downloads folder.