IOS – Airdrop Over Wired Connection

airdropiosmacos

I often shoot a photo with my phone and then want to see it on my Macbook Pro. Sometimes the iPhone is actually supplying the Net connection for the MBP, so I cannot use AirDrop! What's the easiest way to get a single photo from my phone to my Mac without sending a message to someone?

Best Answer

Open Image Capture or the Photos app on the Mac and connect the phone over USB. That's the easiest way to pick one photo to import.

Other methods involve setting up sync or some apps to do the syncing if AirDrop is not reliable enough for your needs. (you're not alone there on depending on it - wireless interference that can be reasonable encountered these days can render AirDrop less than reliable in my experience)

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MacOS – Airdrop between two MBPs only works in one direction – why

I found the answer. Something in the side bar preferences was messing with the system. I deleted this file from the 2013 MBP (which could not see the other machine or network drives):

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.sidebarlists.plist

and rebooted.

Then everything came back online and started working.

Will AirDrop use the data allowance from the phone and wifi modem

With airdrop it is always a direct connection (usually wifi or a mix of wifi + bluetooth) between the 2 devices. No internet connection is required at all. So you can transfer as much as you like and it will all be local between the devices; "peer to peer" like you say. Your internet quota won't be used at all.

Best Answer

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MacOS – Airdrop between two MBPs only works in one direction – why

Will AirDrop use the data allowance from the phone and wifi modem

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