Apple iCloud is cloud storage to store media files and document files on Apple devices. If you wish to share the files on your iCloud Drive to other Apple devices, you can use the AirDrop feature. However, all the files you share from the iCloud Drive will be saved on the iCloud Drive of the recipient’s Apple device. So. make sure the recipient Apple device has enough iCloud Drive space before transferring files through AirDrop. In this article, I will show you how to AirDrop iCloud drive files from one Apple device to another.
Prerequisites
To start the AirDrop process, you must first make sure the following prerequisites and settings.
- AirDrop only works on iPhones and iPads running iOS 7 or later and on Macs running macOS Yosemite or later.
- Ensure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both Apple devices to file transfer reliably.
- Both Apple devices must be within 9 meters or 30 feet of range to initiate AirDrop and transfer files.
- Change the AirDrop settings to Contact Only or Everyone for 10 minutes to make your Apple device visible to the recipient or sender Apple device.
How to AirDrop iCloud Files from iPhone or iPad
Turn on AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad and follow the steps below to share the iCloud files.
1. Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Under Locations, select the iCloud Drive option.
3. Now, press and hold on the file you want to AirDrop.
4. Tap the Share option from the drop-down menu.
5. Select the AirDrop tile and select the recipient’s AirDrop profile picture.
6. Press Accept on the recipient’s Apple device to complete the process.
Since AirDrop has no file size limit, you can transfer multiple files on your iCloud Drive at the same time. To do that, click on more icon in the top-right corner and click Select. Now, choose all the files you want to share, or click Select All and click on the Share icon → AirDrop and select the recipient Apple device.
Note: On iPhone and iPad, you can access the AirDropped iCloud files from Files → iCloud Drive → Downloads. On Macs, open Finder → iCloud Drive → Downloads.
How to AirDrop iCloud Files from Mac
Use the steps below to AirDrop the iCloud Drive file from Mac computers.
1. Open the Finder app on your Mac computer.
2. Select the iCloud Drive option from the sidebar.
3. Control-click on the file or files you want to AirDrop.
4. Tap on the Share option and choose AirDrop.
5. Select the recipient AirDrop name to start the transfer process.
6. On the recipient Apple device, click Accept to receive the files.
Note: To access the iCloud files shared through AirDrop, go to Files → iCloud Drive → Downloads on iPhone or iPad. On Mac computers, go to Finder → iCloud Drive → Downloads.
How to Share iCloud File Via Proximity Sharing
Apple added various AirDrop features on the iOS 17 update. One of the most outstanding features of the bunch is proximity sharing, which allows you to share files by bringing the iPhones together. Proximity sharing works only on iPhones running on iOS 17 or later. Also, the Bringing Devices Together option must be enabled on AirDrop settings for this feature to work.
1. On the sender and recipient’s iPhone, go to Settings → General → AirDrop.
2. Enable the toggle next to the option that says Bringing Devices Together.
3. Now, open the Files app on your iPhone and select iCloud Drive.
4. Select the file you want to AirDrop using proximity sharing and click Share.
- To share multiple files, click on more icon → Tap Select → Click on the files you want to AirDrop or click Select All in the top-left corner → Tap on the Share icon.
5. Select the AirDrop tile and bring the iPhones together to share the file(s).
6. Click Accept on the recipient’s Apple device to complete the sharing process.
Now, open Files → iCloud Drive → Downloads on your iPhone to access the iCloud file(s) received through AirDrop.
FAQ
Yes. If the recipient’s iCloud Drive has enough space, you can transfer all the files on iCloud using AirDrop.
If the AirDrop stops working while transferring files or if the AirDrop fails, it might be due to a technical issue or storage issue. To fix the issue, ensure that the recipient has enough iCloud Drive space. Restart the Apple devices and ensure DND and Personal Hotspot are turned off.
You cannot AirDrop files directly from the iCloud website. However, you can download the files to your Apple device and use AirDrop to share them.
If you are getting this error message while using AirDrop, ensure that you go to the Screen Time settings on your iPhone or iPad Settings app and enable AirDrop.