I will demonstrate today how to send a file via Airdrop between your Mac and your iPhone.
The process is quite simple.
You must have your Bluetooth connection turned on for each device. Both devices must be in range.
Sending from Mac to iPhone
I have selected my file on my Mac mini using Finder.
On the file prepared for transfer I have pressed VO shift M, which is the shortkey for contextual menu.
VO is the Voiceover key, or ctrl and option pressed together.
All this demonstration was made for screen reader users.
Blind and visually impaired people know Voiceover, and possible are familiar with this short key mentioned above. It is a Finder short key, not necessary a Voiceover command.
When shift VO M is pressed a list of options are displayed, but we need to go down to share.
There is another list displayed for share, where one of the options is Airdrop.
Press VO spacebar on Airdrop and wait a moment.
It is very possible to hear a notification saying:
“Not found the contact what you are looking for?”
When this screen appears do not press escape or cancel button, but navigate with tab until hear a table displayed.
If that table do not appear check your iPhone to not be locked.
For some reasons when the iPhone is password locked the connection is not possible to be completed.
When the iPhone is unlocked, just go around with tab on your Mac, until the table where the devices are listed appear. Some time Voiceover will read a username, or an iCloud account, or a name of devices found. Also. If the contact has a picture attached, you can see that picture, in case of any sight rest is left.
Press VO spacebar on that result displayed in table, and wait for the ding notification on your iPhone. Also, a little dialog come up to ask if you wish to accept or decline the file.
When file is accepted an option called “open with” will be displayed.
This window allows you to choose an app or place where that file will be saved.
Job done.
Sending from iPhone to Mac
For sending files from iPhone to Mac the procedure is quite similar.
Go to that file what you wish to transfer to your Mac and double tap on it.
Depending where that file is a share button must be present.
Choose Airdrop from the share list and wait to see a list of
recipients displayed.
When the username or name of the device appear double tap on it and leave your iPhone aside.
A notification will come up on your Mac asking to decline or accept the file.
If file is accepted, you can choose a place where that file will be saved or opened.
Check this thing in case of transfer failure:
Check if all devices involved in transfer have the Bluetooth turned on.
Perhaps you can use Siri to turn Bluetooth on.
Check Settings in your iPhone to see what kind of receiving files settings you have.
For this, go to settings/general/airdrop and double check what is selected there.
You can choose 1 of 3 options:
1. Off
2. Contact only
3. everyone.
Just in case of first option is selected, you need to alter this setting, other way leave as it is.
Warning! If everyone is selected, you can receive files from any Apple device found in range. Use this option only when desired contacts are not found, but do not forget to change after to option number 2 which is the default one.
For any other issue, check share settings in Mac, under your System Preferences.
Keep in mind, if your iPhone and Mac are registered under same iCloud account probably is worth using iCloud for easier sharing.
But for family members or sharing with friends the Airdrop sharing is probably the best and easiest way.
Listen an audio demonstration step by step in the podcast episode below.
For any questions or comments about this, leave a comment, or contact us.
Don’t forget about our training offer, if you wish to learn one to one about Voiceover in Mac and iPhone as a screen reader user!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download