'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
How to use Apple's AirDrop over a cellular connection
Apple's AirDrop has long been a quick and convenient way to wirelessly transfer photos, videos, notes, contacts, files, and other content to a nearby iPhone or iPad. In the past, though, you could use AirDrop only through Wi-Fi. But with iOS 17.1 on your phone, you can now use it to share items over a cellular connection. Here's how.
Also: MacBook Pro (M3 Max) review: A desktop-class laptop for an AI-powered age
How to use AirDrop over a cellular connection
1. Update your iPhone
First, make sure you're running iOS 17.1 or higher on your iPhone. Go to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Updates. Allow the latest update to download and install.
2. Enable cellular data for AirDrop
Next, go to Settings, select General, and then tap AirDrop. Turn on the switch for Use Cellular Data if it's not already on.
3. Update the other person's device
To share content using AirDrop with someone else, that person also needs to be running the latest supported OS version on their Apple device -- iOS 17.1 or iPadOS 17.1.
Also: iPhone users who don't want to be tracked need Apple's iOS 17.1 privacy patch
4. Enable cellular data for the other person
To enable cellular data on the other person's iPhone or cellular-equipped iPad, go to Settings, select General, tap AirDrop, and then turn on the switch for Use Cellular Data. While you're here, make sure AirDrop is set to either Contacts Only (if you're in the person's contact list) or Everyone for 10 Minutes (if you're not in the list and want temporary access).
5. Force your phone to use cellular
Now it's time to try using AirDrop over a cellular connection. For this, head to a location without Wi-Fi access but with cellular service. Alternatively, you can simply test the feature by disconnecting from your current Wi-Fi network to force your phone to use cellular. To do this, go to Settings and select Wi-Fi. Tap the Info icon for your current network and select Forget This Network. (But make sure you know the Wi-Fi password so that you can sign back into this network). Your phone should then display LTE or 5G at the top.
Also: The best iPhone models you can buy right now (including the iPhone 15)
6. Transfer an item using AirDrop over Cellular
Next, open a photo, video, note, or other item that you want to transfer. Tap the iOS Share icon and choose AirDrop as the method.
7. Select the other person's name to complete the transfer
An icon with an image of the other person should then pop up. Tap that icon. The other person then receives a notification of the AirDrop transfer. That person taps Accept to approve the process. The transferred file then appears in its associated app.