Airdrop is a useful feature that allows you to share files wirelessly between Apple devices. If you’re trying to transfer music from your iPhone to your Mac, Airdrop can be a great solution. However, not everyone may know how to use Airdrop or may encounter issues when trying to use it. In this blog post, we will walk you through several methods for airdropping music from your iPhone to your Mac, and give you some tips for when things don’t go as planned.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Airdrop Music from iPhone to Mac
There are many reasons why you might want to airdrop music from your iPhone to your Mac. Perhaps you have a song on your phone that you want to listen to on your computer, or you may have downloaded new music to your phone that you want to add to your music library on your Mac. Whatever your reason, Airdrop is a quick and easy way to transfer files wirelessly between your devices.
Method 1: Airdrop Via Control Center
Using the Control Center is the easiest way to use Airdrop for transferring music from your iPhone to your Mac.
1. On your iPhone, swipe up to access the Control Center.
2. Press and hold the networking pane (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).
3. Tap on Airdrop.
4. Choose Everyone, so that your Mac can detect your iPhone.
5. Open Finder on your Mac, click on AirDrop in the left sidebar and wait for the iPhone icon to appear.
6. Select music you want to transfer from your iPhone and drag it to the Mac icon on AirDrop.
7. Finish the transfer by clicking Save or Choose Download Location.
Pros:
– A straightforward method, doesn’t need any additional software or middleman.
– Does not require the iPhone to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Mac.
– All data transfer via Airdrop is encrypted.
Cons:
– Airdrop doesn’t always work smoothly due to network or hardware issues.
Method 2: Airdrop Using iTunes
Another way to airdrop music from an iPhone to a Mac is through iTunes. Here’s how:
1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a lightning cable.
2. Open iTunes and select your device.
3. Click Music from the sidebar of iTunes.
4. Select the checkbox for the music tracks you want to transfer.
5. Click the "Import" button or drag the selected music files onto your Macbook desktop.
Pros:
– You can manage your iPhone’s music library with iTunes, which can be convenient if you want a way to organize music between devices.
– It’s compatible with almost all iOS devices and macOS versions.
Cons:
– Require a lightning cable to connect the phone to the Mac on each transfer.
– Music already written to iPhone iTunes library is required.
Method 3: Airdrop via iCloud
Using iCloud Drive to transfer files between your iPhone and Mac requires an Apple ID and internet connection.
Transfer music from iPhone to iCloud Drive
1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive > toggle iCloud Drive on.
2. Open the Files app on your device.
3. Navigate to the folder containing the music you want to transfer.
4. Tap Edit in the upper right-hand corner.
5. Tap on the target music files and select Add.
6. Select the iCloud Drive folder you want to save the file to.
Open iCloud Drive on Mac, download music from iCloud Drive
1. On your Mac, open Finder.
2. Click iCloud Drive in the sidebar.
3. Select the file and drag it to the desired location on your Mac.
Pros:
– The files can be accessed on any device with the same Apple ID without cables or network requirements.
Cons:
– Needs internet connectivity.
– iCloud storage is limited to only 5 GB for free users.
What to Do If You Can’t Airdrop Music from iPhone to Mac
If you’re having trouble using Airdrop to transfer music from your iPhone to your Mac, here are a few fixes you can try:
– Make sure both devices have Airdrop enabled and are connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
– Restart both devices.
– Check if both devices are within a 30-feet range.
– Disable your firewall temporarily if it seems to be blocking an airdrop.
Bonus Tip: How to Fix Slow Airdrop Speeds
If you’re experiencing slow transfer speeds when using Airdrop, there are a few things you can try to speed things up:
– Move your devices closer to each other, or even next to each other.
– Make sure your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network isn’t too congested.
– Make sure that both devices are running on the latest macOS and iOS versions.
– Temporarily disable any firewalls, antivirus software, or other potentially interfering applications.
5 FAQs
Q1: Do I have to be signed in on both devices to use Airdrop?
A1: Yes, Airdrop is linked to your Apple ID, so you need to be signed in to use the service.
Q2: How do I know if my device is Airdrop compatible?
A2: Airdrop is compatible with Macs running on OS X Mountain Lion or later and iPhone, iPad 5th generation, or later running on iOS 7 or later.
Q3: How can I change the default folder for my Airdrop downloads?
A3: Click on Finder > Airdrop, click on the menu tab: Go > Go to the folder, select the folder of your choice in Finder.
Q4: Does Airdrop work only with audio files?
A4: No, Airdrop can transfer any type files, including photos, videos and documents.
Q5: What should I do if Airdrop is not showing up on my Mac?
A5: Check if your mac is supported Airdrop, and on what system version, check if both devices have Wi-FI and or Bluetooth enabled, or restart both devices.
Final Thoughts
Airdrop is a quick and easy way to transfer music from your iPhone to your Mac without having to deal with cables or complicated software. If you’re having trouble with Airdrop, try one of the alternative methods we’ve mentioned or follow some of the tips we’ve given to improve your Airdrop experience. With a little troubleshooting and patience, Airdrop can be a powerful tool for transferring files between your Apple devices.