It is very convenient to send an item via AirDrop from my iPhone to my iMac. But I’m never sure where to look for it on my iMac. Same issue if I send it to my wife’s iPad – where to look for it? Thanks, Tom
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Tom Gonser
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Where Do Items Sent Via AirDrop End Up?
Comments: 9 Responses to “Where Do Items Sent Via AirDrop End Up?”
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Usually, files go to the Downloads folder. When you do an image, it should prompt you to ask if you want it to go directly to the Photos library. Other types of data would go to the proper place: Contacts, Calendar, the browser for web links, etc.
Not critical, but for the record that does not reliably happen. I think the question remains valid. If one intercepts an inbound AirDrop item it can be opened immediately if the short-lived notification is clicked. Otherwise it appears difficult to locate. I have an incredibly high regard for the guidance here - but this answer retains a measure of mystery that might justify a comment on the website at some point. If so, consider including items dropped to IOS as well. Tom
Tom: So you are saying you sometimes receive things and they are not in the Downloads folder? The two questions then are: 1. What sort of things are they? 2. Where do you then find them?
Recent items "lost" have included photos and text documents. Where are they found? That's the question I was attempting to answer. At some point it's not worth the time required to hunt them down. If you're able to monitor the incomingitem, you can immediately click it as it arrives on the home screen. That avoids the problem.
Tom: So before you need to use AirDrop again, experiment. Figure it out now before you need it again. Try AirDropping files from one to the other and see where they go.
I was under the impression that unless the request to receive a file sent by Airdrop was responded to in the affirmative the the file never leaves the “sending” device.
Peter: Confirmation isn't needed when you send to yourself (same Apple ID) and there is no choice to make, like where to send it.
Your response: "Usually, files go to the Downloads folder. When you do an image, it should prompt you to ask if you want it to go directly to the Photos library. Other types of data would go to the proper place: Contacts, Calendar, the browser for web links, etc." Exactly my issue - USUALLY they go to downloads but SOMETIMES I can directhem to open in photos. How can I always have them go to photos?
John: Depends on the file type. I'd imagine that image files of specific types (jpg, heic?) that are also high enough resolution (not thumbnails or little graphics) will prompt you to put them in Photos. Not sure what the criteria would be offhand, but you could probably test it over and over if you really want to know.