How to Enable and Use AirDrop on iPhone and iPad in iOS 11

BY Khamosh Pathak

Published 10 Sep 2017

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With iOS 11, Apple has redesigned the Control Center yet again (that’s twice in two years). This time, all the controls are back to being on one page. And they’re all organized in self-contained widgets. Yes, the exciting part is that we can finally customize them as well.

But in this new design, some features have ended up reshuffled. For instance, if you swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Center, you won’t see the trusty AirDrop toggle anywhere. It’s there. It’s just hidden behind a new widget that’s entirely dedicated to toggles. Here’s how to get to and use the new AirDrop toggle in iOS 11.

iOS 11 AirDrop

How to Enable AirDrop From Control Center

Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the new Control Center.

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Step 2: You’ll see a box in the top-left that’s filled with the toggles for things like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If you’re using an iPhone 6s or higher, 3D Touch anywhere on that widget. If you’re using an older iPhone that doesn’t have 3D Touch features, tap and hold on that widget instead.

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Step 3: The widget will expand to take up the whole screen and lo and behold, there’s that AirDrop toggle in the bottom-left.

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Step 4: Tap on the AirDrop toggle and you’ll get to another pop up that will have the three options you’re familiar with – Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone. Pick your poison and you’ll be back to the Control Center screen.

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How to Enable AirDrop from Settings

Seeing as the Control Center option for AirDrop is kind of hidden, iOS 11 also has an official AirDrop section in Settings.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

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Step 2: Tap on General.

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Step 3: Select AirDrop. From here you’ll be able to switch between the three options.

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Do You Find AirDrop Useful?

AirDrop sometimes has a mind of its own and it will stop working for seemingly no reasons. In times like these, try one of our recommended fixes, or use a third party alternative like Instashare.

Do you use AirDrop often? Does it work reliably for you? Share with us in the comments below.