When you have an iPhone or an iPad, your go-to file-sharing feature is probably AirDrop. You can send photos, videos, documents, and other files with it. Aside from it being the official sharing feature of iOS/iPadOS, it’s built-in, fast, and easy to use, making it easier for you to share files with workmates, friends, and family.
But some people wonder how AirDrop works. Does AirDrop use WIFI? Yes, but it doesn’t only use WIFI. For starters, it uses Bluetooth to detect nearby Apple devices and WIFI to establish connections and send files between devices.
With that in mind, one may also wonder: Can you AirDrop without WIFI? That’s what we are going to find out. In this article, you will learn the truth about AirDrop and find out how to use it to send files. Read on!
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FYI: Can You Use AirDrop Without WIFI
The answer to that question is both yes and no. YES, because AirDrop can be used without needing to connect to a WIFI network. It doesn’t need internet access or a third-party network to establish the connection. In other words, it’s a direct, point-to-point connection between the devices involved. You just need to turn on the WIFI feature. That’s all.
And it’s a big NO when the WIFI feature is faulty or broken. AirDrop relies on the point-to-point WIFI connection to send files of various sizes. If one of the devices involved has a problematic WIFI feature, then you won’t be able to use AirDrop at all.
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Tutorial: How to Use AirDrop without WIFI Network
In case your phone’s WIFI feature is working, here’s how to use AirDrop the right way. But before you follow the steps below, make sure to disconnect your iPhone first from your home WIFI network.
Step 1
On both devices, go to the Control Center and tap on the Bluetooth and WIFI icons to turn them on. Then, tap the WIFI/Bluetooth box to reveal more options. There, hit the AirDrop icon to enable it and choose Contacts Only or Everyone, depending on your situation.
Step 2
Proceed to the source device and select the files you wish to transfer. Then, tap on the Share button. You should see a couple of sharing options. Choose AirDrop and tap on the name of the target device.
Step 3
An AirDrop permission prompt will appear on the target device. Accept it to allow the transfer to start. Then, just wait until the transfer is complete.
Note:
Sending heavy files via AirDrop may take a lot of time since it’s a wired transfer. As per tests, 64 GB of files may take 45 minutes at a minimum due to thermal throttling. Not to mention, the transfer may consume more battery power especially that WIFI and Bluetooth are working at the same time.
Alternative: Transfer Files via MobileTrans without WIFI
If your iPhone can’t AirDrop because the WIFI feature isn’t working, that’s not the end of the rope. There is still a chance for you to transfer and receive files. Instead of wireless transfer, opting for a wired transfer using an app called MobileTrans is your best choice.
MobileTrans is a phone transfer program dedicated to transferring data and files between iPhones, iPads, and even Mac computers. All you need to do is install it on a Windows/Mac computer and connect both devices via USB cables. Yes! You don’t need to use WIFI at all. How convenient is that?
Top Phone Transfer
Best Phone-to-Phone, Phone-to-PC Transfer Option
- Transfer between Android & iPhone, Android & Android
- Back up phone to PC & Mac, Restore in one-click
- Lossless and Fast Transfer with Bulk Selection
*Compatible with iOS/iPadOS 17, Windows 10/11, Android 13, and macOS Ventura.
The files MobileTrans can transfer are photos, videos, music/songs, messages, contacts, call logs, voice memos, notes, documents, and more. This makes sure you won’t miss any files you wish to transfer. You may transfer files selectively or in bulk.
Moreover, MobileTrans can transfer files with various file sizes faster than AirDrop. In fact, 64 GB of data takes only 5-10 minutes. That’s so much quicker, right? Not only can you save effort but time, too. Plus, there’s no quality loss.
There are no worries about compatibility, too. MobileTrans’ support stretches from iOS 5.0 to later versions. So, if either of the devices runs on an older OS, it’s not really going to be an issue.
Steps to Transfer Files with MobileTrans
If you want to try MobileTrans, here are the 3 simple steps to follow:
Step 1
Install MobileTrans on your computer. You can get it for free by clicking on the banner above. After that, just launch and connect the devices via a compatible USB data cord.
Step 2
On the main interface of the app, click on the Phone Transfer tab and choose Phone to Phone. MobileTrans will then detect both devices as source and destination. Hit the Flip button if the identification is incorrect.
Step 3
Next, select the files you wish to transfer. Just tick them and then click on the Start button to send them to the destination device. Wait until the transfer process is finished before disconnecting.
Conclusion
The bottom line is you can AirDrop without WIFI if what you mean is WIFI network or internet access. As mentioned, AirDrop only uses the WIFI feature to send files. So, if your iPhone or iPad’s WIFI feature doesn’t have any issues, you can definitely use AirDrop. However, if it’s broken, then you may need to have it repaired or use apps like MobileTrans to transfer files instead.