AirDrop is a fast and convenient way to transfer files between Apple devices. It works seamlessly on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, allowing you to share files and receive virtually any type of document with almost no prior setup.

Apple’s transfer system makes it easy to AirDrop files by allowing you to identify devices using their name. However, depending on your preferences, you may want to customize your AirDrop name to make it easier for people to know which iPhone, iPad, or Mac they’re sending files to.

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Keep in mind that even if your Apple devices are linked to your Apple ID and iCloud, the device name doesn’t sync to other products and is specific to each one. Here’s how to customize it.

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How to change AirDrop name on an iPhone

Although this used to be relatively complex, as it required you to change your name on your contact card, the process is now simpler, thanks to iOS 16. you’re able to now update the name of your iPhone in a few clicks and display your new AirDrop name to your contacts. Follow these steps to update your AirDrop name on your iPhone:

How to change AirDrop name on iPad

iPads come with extensive computing power, turning them into small and versatile MacBooks. Since they work seamlessly with other Apple devices, they can also easily send and receive files over AirDrop. Giving your iPad a new AirDrop name is easy and only takes a few seconds.

How to change the AirDrop name on your Mac

You’ll want to make sure you’re using the newest version of MacOS, or you may encounter problems. You can learnhow to update MacOSon the Apple website.

MacBooks and all Mac computers running macOS also support AirDrop file sharing. Like with iPhones and iPads, the default AirDrop name is your computer name, which means it’s used for all other networks, including Bluetooth, iCloud, and Find My. Changing your computer name is very easy and only requires a few clicks.

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How to turn on AirDrop

If you’ve never used AirDrop on your Apple device, it may be turned off, potentially preventing you from receiving files from nearby devices. Here’s how to turn it on:

Turn on AirDrop on iPhones and iPads

Turn on AirDrop on a Mac

How to send and receive files using AirDrop

AirDrop is designed for added simplicity, making it easy to send files from any Apple device to another without installing additional software. Here’s how to do it.

An easy solution for sharing files across Apple devices

Apple makes it easy to transfer files across devices thanks to AirDrop. Although the feature is very convenient, it’s restricted to Apple devices. This means you can’t use AirDrop to share files if you don’t have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Google offers Android users an alternative calledNearby Share, which works in a similar way. The added benefit is that the solution works on other operating systems, including Windows, and even on Macs if you’re willing to fiddle a bit. However, unlike Apple’s solution, you must install an extra application on your computer.

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If you’d like to share files across platforms and operating systems, consider investing in a reliableWiFi 6 mesh router, which offers a great connection across your house.

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A screenshot of the macOS settings