# What is AirDrop?

> AirDrop sends files wirelessly between nearby Apple devices. Learn what it needs, how to use it on a Mac and how a notch file shelf can start a send.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/airdrop/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

AirDrop is Apple's way to send photos, videos, documents and other files wirelessly to a nearby iPhone, iPad or Mac. Apple says transfers are encrypted for security, and the recipient can accept or decline each transfer as it arrives.

## Why it matters

It is the quickest way to move a file between your own Apple devices without email or a cable. Both devices need wireless networking and Bluetooth turned on and need to be close together, within about 10 metres according to Apple. The receiving device must allow AirDrop from Everyone or from Contacts Only.

## How to send on a Mac

Open the item, click the Share button, choose AirDrop and pick the person. You can also open a Finder window, click AirDrop in the sidebar and drag the file onto the recipient.

## AirDrop in the notch

NotchStar's [File Shelf](https://www.notchstar.com/features/file-shelf/) has an AirDrop zone. Drop files on it and NotchStar opens the standard macOS sharing sheet for AirDrop, so the same recipient list and accept or decline step apply. The shelf next to it keeps files for later without sending them. A [file shelf](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/file-shelf/) is a temporary parking place, not storage.

## Related

Read [the AirDrop shelf guide](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/airdrop-shelf-for-mac/) for the full workflow. AirDrop is for files; to move copied text between devices, see [Universal Clipboard](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-clipboard/).

## Keep reading.

- [A shelf and an AirDrop zone in the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/file-shelf/): Park files in the notch while you work, then drag them out or AirDrop them. Drag a file toward the notch and the shelf opens by itself.
- [A file shelf for Mac: stop stacking files on the Desktop](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/airdrop-shelf-for-mac/): A file shelf is a temporary holding area for drag and drop. Learn the workflow, why it beats the Desktop, and how an AirDrop zone speeds up sharing.
- [What is a file shelf?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/file-shelf/): A file shelf is a temporary place to park files while you work, then drag them out or send them. Learn how it differs from a folder and from AirDrop.
- [What is Universal Clipboard?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-clipboard/): Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one Apple device and paste on another nearby one. Learn what it needs and how it differs from clipboard history.

## More in Mac basics.

- [What is the MacBook notch?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/notch/): The notch is the cutout at the top of some MacBook screens that holds the camera. Here is what it is, which Macs have it and what it does to the menu bar.
- [What is the Mac menu bar?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/menu-bar/): The menu bar is the strip along the top of a Mac screen with the Apple menu, app menus and status icons. Learn how it works and how the notch changes it.
- [What is the safe area on a Mac screen?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/safe-area/): The safe area is the part of a screen where content is not covered by hardware such as the notch. Developers read it from NSScreen safeAreaInsets in AppKit.
- [What is Universal Clipboard?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-clipboard/): Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one Apple device and paste on another nearby one. Learn what it needs and how it differs from clipboard history.
- [What is Apple silicon?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/apple-silicon/): Apple silicon is the family of Apple designed chips that replaced Intel processors in Macs. Learn how to tell which chip your Mac has and why apps care.
- [What is a universal binary on Mac?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-binary/): A universal binary is one Mac app file that contains code for both Apple silicon and Intel chips, so it runs natively on either. Learn how to check one.