Undoubtedly, AirDrop is the most preferred choice that pops up inside people’s minds when sharing files between Apple devices. Does AirDrop reduce the quality of the files while transferring files? This is one of the common questions users ask. While there is no file size limit in the AirDropping process, there will be a slight change in the quality when sharing via AirDrop. However, some tricks will help you to share the files without altering their original quality.
If you cannot wait to learn those awesome tips and tricks, continue reading this interesting article for more information.
Does AirDrop Reduce Picture Quality?
AirDrop is a feature known for sending files of unlimited size to other Apple devices. You can send more files at the same time without facing any difficulties. But while AirDropping to some devices of older versions, the quality gets adjusted to them. This is because the sender’s device might run on an advanced level, and the media will be captured with better resolutions. These high-definition media files will lose their quality a bit when reaching the receiver’s end.
An example will give you a clear understanding. If your iPhone device has captured a video of 4K resolution and sent it to another device that has only a 1080p display, the quality will get adjusted to 1080p. To be clear, this depends on the model of your device and not on AirDrop. So, if you wish to send files without degrading their quality to the devices of older versions, try sending the files with the same display quality to prevent the loss of quality.
Tricks to AirDrop Files with Better Quality
You can change the quality settings before AirDropping your photos to fix issues with the quality reduction. This can be done in two ways, and you can choose any one that suits you.
Enable Keep Originals on Photos Settings
1. Fetch and unlock your iPhone/iPad.
2. Open the Settings app and locate the Photos application.
3. Select it and find the Keep Originals options at the bottom.
4. Enable the option and start AirDropping any media to check the quality from the recipient’s side.
Turn On All Photos Data
If the above method seems to consume your time a little, check out this way to do it within seconds.
1. Launch the photos application and select the file you wish to AirDrop.
2. You will see Options at the top of your screen, which is located next to the selected images, and you have to tap on it.
3. Now, toggle the All Photos Data option and hit AirDrop to transfer the files.
Now, the photos will be shared with original quality, and you can check them from the recipient’s end.
Why Does File Size Increase While AirDropping?
Besides compression, some might have seen that AirDropping increases the file size. You might have encountered this issue when AirDropping files to an older iPhone. Although it seems unusual, there is a strong reason behind it.
In recent years, Apple has introduced newer technologies for users to take pictures in smaller sizes. After the release of iOS 11, Apple starts to use HEIC as a default format for saving photos. Compared to JPEG of the same size, we found that HEIC contains twice as much detailing as JPEG format.
But older iPhones can’t use HEIC format. So, whenever it receives files from the latest iPhones via AirDrop, the HEIC file will be auto-converted to JPEG. Though there is an increase in file size after AirDropping, the quality of pictures will remain the same.
Alternative Apps to Transfer Files Without Reducing Quality
If you are unconvinced with the file quality, it is better to try AirDrop alternatives to receive media files such as photos and videos without losing quality. iMessage, WhatsApp, Google Drive, and OneDrive are the best alternatives to AirDrop that you can use to send and receive files. Besides that, you can sync photos and videos via iCloud and access them on your Mac by visiting icloud.com.
Our Experience
The above settings are applicable only when you AirDrop Photos to other devices. When it comes to AirDropping videos, there is not much of a quality loss, and the same got delivered to the recipient. While using AirDrop on Mac devices, there will not be any settings to alter the quality as the device itself will make the necessary changes.
FAQ
Yes. Like photos, the video quality might be compressed when sharing video files via AirDrop.
Yes. You can change the settings on your iPhone/iPad to AirDrop in better quality.