Sometimes, you may find it difficult to AirDrop files if you own more than two Apple devices with the same name. In such cases, you can turn off the AirDrop feature on a specific device where you don’t need to share or receive the files. Moreover, turning off your AirDrop will make you undiscoverable and ensure you don’t get any uninvited requests from random devices. Moreover, turning it off is one of the efficient fixes you can use when AirDrop fails to work.
However, you will be guided through the step-by-step procedure to disable AirDrop sharing on iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac.
How to Turn Off AirDrop on iPhone/iPad/iPod
You can use the Settings app or navigate to open the Control Center and change the AirDrop settings to turn off the feature on iPhones, iPods, and iPads.
Turn Off AirDrop using Settings
1. Open the Settings app and tap the General option.
2. Select the AirDrop option.
3. Tap Receiving Off to disable the AirDrop feature on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Turn Off AirDrop using the Control Center
1. Open the Control Center by swiping up or down according to your models.
2. Touch and hold the Network pane for more options.
3. Now, tap AirDrop and select Receiving Off.
How to Turn Off AirDrop on a Mac
Unlike other Apple devices, turning off the AirDrop feature will differ on Mac devices like MacBook and iMac.
Disable AirDrop using Settings
1. Open your Mac and go to System Settings
2. Select the General option.
2. Now, choose AirDrop & Handoff.
3. Click the drop-down menu next to AirDrop and set it to No One.
This will disconnect AirDrop connectivity on your Mac.
Turn Off AirDrop using the Finder App
1. Open the Finder app on your Mac.
2. Now, select AirDrop from the sidebar
3. Click the Allow me to be discovered by option and select No One.
Now, the AirDrop feature is disabled on your Mac.
How to Turn Off AirDrop Permanently
You can also permanently turn off the AirDrop sending and receiving option by enabling the Screen Time option. You can follow the procedure to disable AirDrop permanently on models like iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPod Touch, iPad Pro, and others.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad.
2. Now, tap Screen Time. If Screen Time is not enabled, make sure to turn it on.
3. Then, enable Content & Privacy Restrictions and select Allowed Apps.
4. Toggle off the switch for AirDrop.
Now, your AirDrop sending and receiving will be disabled permanently. You can follow the procedure and toggle the switch to enable the AirDrop feature.
How to Turn Off Proximity Sharing
With the latest iOS 17 update, you can turn on the Proximity Sharing option on iPhones to AirDrop photos, videos, and files by moving your iPhones closer. If you didn’t find the feature helpful, you can also turn off Proximity Sharing to continue with regular AirDrop.
1. Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to the General section.
3. Select the AirDrop option from the list.
4. After that, turn off the Bring Devices Together option.
Now, you can continue sharing your files by choosing AirDrop names.
Other Possible Ways to Disable AirDrop
AirDrop uses Bluetooth and WiFi combination from both devices to send and receive files. So, you can’t AirDrop any files if you turn off any of them. To do that, go to the Settings app and turn off WiFi and Bluetooth manually. Meanwhile, WiFi is not necessary to AirDrop files between two Apple devices.
Note: Turning off the WiFi or Bluetooth in the Control Center only disconnects your Apple device from the currently connected networks. However, they continue to work if they fetch a new WiFi or Bluetooth.
FAQ
You can turn off AirDrop everyone for 10 minutes by going to the Control Center → Network icon. But turning off AirDrop everyone for 10 minutes is applicable only for iOS 16 and later.
Yes, you can disable the AirDrop sharing if you are not sending or receiving files from other devices.