What is Airdrop over cellular data: With iOS 17.1, you can use cellular data to send files using AirDrop, even if you are not in range of the other device.
To use AirDrop over cellular data, you must start the download over Wi-Fi and connect the devices by putting them close together.
Once you leave the range of AirDrop or unplug from Wi-Fi, your iPhone will be able to use cellular data to continue the transfer.
In the most recent version of iOS, Apple added a new feature that lets AirDrop transfers continue even when the devices are not nearby. With iOS 17.1, AirDrop can now send files over a cellular network. This means that users can leave the range of AirDrop and the transfer will still going. If you were asking why you couldn’t start an Airdrop transfer on your cell phone, here you have everything you need.
What is Airdrop over cellular data?
Apple devices have had AirDrop for a while now, which lets them quickly and wirelessly share files. Even though this function has been very useful, AirDrop had one problem: the devices that sent and received data had to be close to each other. Because of this, you had to be close to the other person (or their device) while the file was being sent, which would take too long for big files.
Because of this, Apple has changed some things about AirDrop in iOS 17.1. Now that iOS 11 is out, you can keep transferring files via AirDrop even if you move away from the other device. So, even if you can’t connect to Wi-Fi, the AirDrop download will still go ahead because your iPhone will still send and receive files over a cellular network.
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Can you start an AirDrop move using your cell phone’s data?
Even if you leave the other device’s AirDrop range, your iPhone will still be able to continue the transfer using cellular data. However, you must first start the AirDrop transfer over Wi-Fi in order to use mobile data. You can’t start an AirDrop transfer if the other device isn’t nearby or Wi-Fi isn’t turned on.
This means that you can’t start an AirDrop transfer over cellular data. Instead, you need to make sure that two close devices are connected to Wi-Fi before you can start the transfer. If you only use your cell network when you try to use AirDrop, your iPhone won’t be able to find the close device that you want to send your files to. On both this device and your iPhone, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on for this device to be seen.
When does AirDrop work with cell data?
AirDrop will only use your iPhone’s cellular data for downloads that are already going on. Because these uploads can’t begin over cellular data, you need to connect your iPhone and other Apple devices over Wi-Fi before you can start AirDrop.
Once AirDrop is set up, you can leave the range of AirDrop or turn off Wi-Fi so that your cell network can join. When you leave a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network or its area, your iPhone will switch from AirDrop to AirDrop over the Internet. This makes the transfer of data smooth.
When this switch turns on, the top of the AirDrop notice on your iPhone will say “Using Mobile Data” to let you know that the transfer is using your cell data. This message will also show up on the other Apple device that is part of the move.
How to turn on Airdrop on Cellular Data and use it
Make sure your iPhone has iOS 17.1 and that all the other Apple devices you want to pair with it have the latest software versions. Only then can you use Airdrop over cellular data. To use cellular data for AirDrop, go to Settings > General > AirDrop > Out of Range and check the box next to Use Cellular Data.
