This is a direct wireless link between the two devices. AirDrop uses point-to-point WiFi to send the data. Just turn WiFi on, but you don't need to connect to a network. You don’t have to be on a WiFi network to use AirDrop. Therefore, can you use airdrop without WiFi? The answer is yes. Since you're not transferring files over a network, you don't share bandwidth with anyone. What is more, there is no limit to file size, and files transfer as fast as their individual hardware allows. So, you get the fast file transfer speed of Wi-Fi without a router or an internet connection. It is said that the Wi-Fi radios of the source and target devices communicate directly without using an Internet connection or Wi-Fi Access Point. This process is similar to pairing your iPhone with your car’s Bluetooth system. When AirDrop is enabled, it triggers Bluetooth to look for other AirDrop-enabled iOS devices that are in the area. AirDrop uses a combination of technologies to transfer files securely, which utilize Bluetooth to find devices that you can send to, and the device you send from creates a secure peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network connection with the receiving device and transfers the file(s). Part 1: Why is WiFi needed when using AirDrop?ĪirDrop is a nifty feature baked into iOS that makes sharing files, images, notes, webpages, and more between Apple devices easier than ever.

Part 4: Alternative to AirDrop for transferring file between iOS devices.Part 3: How to share file via AirDrop with WiFi on.Part 2: How to AirDrop without WiFi on Mac.

Part 1: Why is WiFi needed when using AirDrop.

How to airdrop from iphone to computer