AirDrop — Wirelessly share files with zero configuration

Now that you've learned the basics of file sharing, it's time to take a look at a neat feature unique to OS X 10.7 Lion called AirDrop.


AirDrop lets you share files with another Mac running 10.7 with nothing else required aside from having a wireless card turned on for both your Mac, and the Mac you want to send the files to.  You don't even need to be on the same network!  AirDrop does all of the configuration for you, and people "just appear" when you turn AirDrop on.


You will find AirDrop in the sidebar of your Finder windows.  Below, AirDrop is selected in my Finder window:

The icon next to AirDrop changes to a circular sweeping motion when AirDrop is actively looking for other computers.

If you don't see AirDrop in your sidebar, first make sure you are in the Finder, then go to your Finder Preferences to make sure that AirDrop is checked.  Click on Finder in the menubar, and then click on Preferences.  If you want to use a keyboard shortcut to do this, you can simply press the "Command" and comma keys.   You will see the following window:

AirDrop must be checked under "Favorites" if you want to see it in your sidebar.

Once AirDrop is checked, go back to your Finder window, and click on its icon in the sidebar.  The icon will jump into motion, and it looks like a RADAR, sweeping the surrounding area for other Macs running 10.7 Lion (again, this is a REQUIREMENT).

My wife's Mac has been located!

  Once it finds one (or more) Macs, you can copy files to that Mac by dragging files onto the icon representing that Mac.  A dialog box will pop up asking if you would like to send the file to the targeted Mac.  Click "Send" and a window will popup on the receiving Mac, asking that user to verify the transfer.  

The receiving user has the option to decline any and all file transfers.

This last step is important, because otherwise not only could you drop files onto other people's computers without their knowledge, but they could do the same to you, which is a security risk.  The AirDrop connection is encrypted, so there's no need to worry about anyone snooping in on what you're copying.


Once the file transfer is complete, the person on the receiving end can find the file(s) in their Downloads folder within their User folder.  It couldn't be more simple!