This article explains how to turn off AirDrop on iPhone, iPad, and the Mac.
How to Turn Off AirDrop on iPhone and iPad
The process for turning off AirDrop on an iPhone and iPad is the same, but there are two different ways to do it: through Control Center or Settings. Using Control Center is faster.
Generally, AirDrop is a safe and fast way to transfer files between you and people you trust (you should never accept a suspicious AirDrop request). Still, to ensure you don’t accidentally install a unwanted file onto your iOS device, it’s a good idea to keep AirDrop turned off unless you need it.
Control Center
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
If you have an iPhone SE or iPhone 8 and earlier, you’ll need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen. The same applies to older iPads running iOS 11 or earlier.
Tap and hold the Network Settings tile (top-left title with Airplane Mode, Bluetooth, and more). The tile will expand to show more options.
Tap and hold the AirDrop icon.
Select Receiving Off. AirDrop will now be turned off on your device.
Settings
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap General.
Tap AirDrop.
Tap Receiving Off.
Alternatively, you can type “AirDrop” into your device’s search bar to bring up AirDrop settings. However, select the AirDrop > General option, as AirDrop > Sounds will take you to the Sounds & Haptics menu instead.
How to Turn Off AirDrop on a Mac
Similarly to iOS devices, there are two main ways to turn off AirDrop on a Mac: through Control Center or Finder.
Using Control Center
Click the Contro Center icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar to open Control Center.
Click AirDrop.
Click the toggle to turn off AirDrop (the icon will go from blue to grey).
Click the Allow me to be discovered by dropdown menu and select No One.
If You Are Running macOS Ventura
If your Mac is running macOS Ventura or later, there’s a third way you can turn off AirDrop.
Open System Settings.
Select General.
Select AirDrop & Handoff.
Click the dropdown menu next to AirDrop and select No One.
Since AirDrop uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to work, you will automatically disable it anytime you turn off either of these settings on your device.
How to Restrict AirDrop
While turning off AirDrop ensures that no one can send you a file, you can still send files from your device even with it turned off. In other words, you’re essentially pausing it rather than blocking it altogether.
You'll need to change your Screen Time settings to ensure that your iPhone or iPad can’t send or receive files via AirDrop.
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Screen Time.
If Screen Time isn’t enabled, you’ll need to turn it on first.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and make sure it’s enabled.
Tap Allowed Apps.
Toggle AirDrop off.
Important: You may also want to turn off NameDrop for increased security. Available on devices running iOS 17.1 or later, NameDrop allows you to share new contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch. To turn off NameDrop, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and toggle Bring Devices Together off.
Press firmly or touch and hold the network settings card in the top left-hand corner.Touch and hold the AirDrop button, then choose one of these options:Receiving Off: you won't receive AirDrop requests. Contacts Only: only your contacts can see your device.
How to stop AirDrop transfer if you accidentally tap on the wrong person's icon? Just tap the same icon again to quickly cancel the pending AirDrop transfer.
The alert typically appears when you are attempting to send a significant amount of data. Although there is no limit to the size of the file sent via AirDrop, this solution is worth trying. Select one file at a time and try to AirDrop it to another device to get rid of the error warning.
If you do not want Siri Suggestions in apps, or when sharing, searching, or listening, you can disable Siri Suggestions by going to to Settings > Siri & Search and tapping to turn off “Show in App Library”, “Show in Spotlight”, “Show When Sharing”, or “Show When Listening”.
Select General: Scroll down and tap on “General.”Tap on AirDrop: Find and select “AirDrop.”Choose Receiving Off: Tap on “Receiving Off” to disable AirDrop completely.
How to adjust AirDrop settings. To choose who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop: Go to Settings, then tap General. Tap AirDrop, then choose an option.
Bullies can use this feature to send hurtful videos or embarrassing photos to their victims in public settings like school, parks, or parties, making it difficult for them to escape. AirDrop does not have the capability of flagging or blocking inappropriate content, making it a prime tool used in cyberbullying.
AirDrop relies on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® to transfer files. Make sure both are turned on by going to your phone settings. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open your Control Center. They're off if the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi icons are not illuminated blue.
You can block AirDrop through Apple's Screen Time feature so a child or someone not authorized to use your device cannot share files. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to on.Then tap Allowed Apps and toggle AirDrop to off.
Clean up Unneeded Files. It is important to review your iPhone's storage usage and delete unnecessary files, such as old photos, videos, or apps that you no longer use. If there are many unneeded files stored on your iPhone, you can go to clean them up.
Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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