How to See Airdrop History on iPhone and Macbook?

AirDrop is one of the salient features of iOS that helps users transfer files between two Apple devices in no time. However, users sometimes wonder how to see AirDrop history. There are times when you share too many photos or videos, and it becomes difficult to know where they came from.

The best thing about AirDrop is that you don’t need an internet connection, i.e. Wi-Fi or cellular, to share files. And if you are an avid user of AirDrop, you may want to know your AirDrop history on your iPhone or Mac. But is it possible to see AirDrop’s history?

Is it Possible to See AirDrop History?

As of the iOS 17 update, there’s no option to see AirDrop history on any of the Apple devices. This is a huge drawback for users who are constantly sharing files on AirDrop. Once a file is sent or received, there’s no inbuilt feature of Apple that lets you find what was shared and where it came from.

However, there are some other ways to filter what you receive through AirDrop. Firstly, you can disable AirDrop when you are not using it. It ensures that you don’t receive unwanted files and only receive what you approve of. And since you know what you are receiving, there’s no need to see the AirDrop history.

How to See What You’ve Received on AirDrop?

As mentioned above, there’s no in-built option to view the history of AirDropped files. AirDrop is designed in such a way that it ensures swift and direct file transfers without maintaining a separate record or history of such transactions. This is done for safety and privacy purposes.

Despite the absence of a dedicated history feature, users can still locate files sent or received via AirDrop on iOS devices. But this option is for a limited time, and you can only see the files that you have received and not the person from whom you have received them. After receiving files, you have to open the folder within 24 hours. If performed within approximately 24 hours, files of AirDrop transfers, such as images sent by friends, can be found in the iPhone’s photo folder.

On iPhones, files sent by friends or colleagues are stored for some time in respective folders. For example, a document shared by a colleague can be accessed in the Documents folder, while a sent photo will appear in the Photos section of your iPhone.

For MacBook users, AirDropped files and folders find their place in the Downloads directory. You can easily track them by navigating to the Downloads folder on the Mac device.

How To See What You’ve Sent on AirDrop?

If you’re seeking a way to review the files you’ve sent to others through AirDrop, unfortunately, there isn’t an option available. AirDrop does not maintain a history of files that you have sent, whether on an iPhone or MacBook. So, you are unable to track or view the specific files you’ve shared with other devices using AirDrop.

But if you have access to the iPhone of the other person to whom you have sent the files, you can check the respective folder within 24 hours to know what you have shared.

Where do AirDropped files go?

When you share photos through AirDrop, their location on your Mac and iPhone depends on the default apps associated with the file types. Here’s where you’ll find AirDropped files on different Apple devices.

1. On iPhone

AirDropped files are stored in the default apps. For photos, the default app is the Photos app. To access the shared images, open the Photos app on your iPhone and check for the received photos. Similarly, audio files sent via AirDrop are saved in the Music app. Here’s how to find the AirDropped photos on an iPhone.

  • Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and tap on “Export” under the Utilities tab.
  • Here you will find all the photos and videos that you have received on AirDrop.

2. On Mac

AirDropped files on a Mac are directed to the Downloads folder. Here’s how to get to the downloads folder on Mac.

  • Open “Finder” on your MacBook.
  • Click on “Go” in the top menu.
  • A drop-down menu will appear.
  • Choose “Downloads” from the menu.
  • The Downloads window will open, displaying a list of recently shared files via AirDrop on your Mac.

How to Change privacy settings on airDrop?

If you change the privacy settings on AirDrop to “Contacts Only” from “Everyone,” you will restrict receiving unwanted photos or videos on AirDrop. Here’s how to change the privacy settings on iPhones and Mac.

1. iPhone

Here’s how to change the privacy settings of AirDrop on iPhones. You can use the same method on iPads to change the privacy settings of AirDrop.

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on “General.”
  • Select “AirDrop.”
  • Either select “Contacts Only” or “Receiving Off.”

2. Mac

If you share files on a Mac, here’s how you can change the privacy settings on your device.

  • Open “Finder” on your MacBook.
  • In the Finder window, select “AirDrop” from the left sidebar.
  • At the bottom of the AirDrop window, you’ll see the settings options. Tap on “Allow me to be discovered by” to open the drop-down menu.
  • In the drop-down menu, you’ll see options such as “Everyone,” “Contacts Only,” and “Off.” Choose “Contacts Only” to limit AirDrop visibility to your contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you view AirDrop history?
As of now, there’s no option to see history on AirDrop. This is done to preserve the safety and privacy of Apple users.
2. How to find AirDrop files on iPhones?
The files you receive on AirDrop are stored in their respective folders, depending on the file type. If you receive photos on AirDrop, you’ll see the AirDropped photos on the “Photos” app.
3. How to delete AirDrop history?
Since there’s no separate log or history of AirDrop on iPhones, you don’t get the option to delete it.

conclusion

To conclude, no particular history or log shows what you have received or sent on AirDrop. The AirDrop feature is kept simple and straightforward to ensure the safety and privacy of its users. You have the option to check all the photos or videos that you have received on the Photos app, under the “Export Section,”. In case you have any doubts, do let us know in the comments section below.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply