How to Use AirDrop Without Wi-Fi in iOS 17? Apple improved iPhone AirDrop in many ways in iOS 17, and with the release of iOS 17.1, it’s about to get much better, because you won’t need to be in the same near vicinity as someone to wirelessly send files to them via AirDrop. Continue reading to find out how it works.
Since its launch in iOS 7, AirDrop has been the preferred method for iPhone users to quickly and easily send photographs, movies, documents, and other files to neighbouring Apple devices. If you have the AirDrop screen open and are in close proximity to another user with a supported Apple device, they will appear on your screen and you can exchange files with them.
Until recently, AirDrop required you to be in close proximity to the other person’s device in order for the transfer to succeed. The transfer would fail if you left the AirDrop range, and the material would not be shared. This is especially aggravating when transmitting or receiving multiple large files, such as video footage.
That’s about to change with iOS 17.1, which allows wireless AirDrop file transfers to continue over a cellular connection outside of the AirDrop range as long as both your iPhone and the recipient’s iPhone are signed in to an iCloud account.
How to Use AirDrop Without Wi-Fi in iOS 17?
When you choose the new cellular data option, you will be able to continue sending and receiving content using AirDrop over a cellular network even when Wi-Fi is not available. This can keep the file transmission from failing due to Wi-Fi outages. Here’s how to make sure your device has the new option enabled.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Select General.
- Select AirDrop.
- To the right of “Out of Range,” toggle the option next to Use Mobile/Cellular Data.
That’s all there is to it. iOS 17.1 is now in beta testing for developers and public beta testers. The software update is scheduled for late October 2023. More new features and tweaks may be found in our list of everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta.
