How To Use AirDrop for Windows | Fast Sharing Options

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AirDrop for Windows means recreating the same quick sharing feel with Nearby sharing, Phone Link, cloud drives, and a few smart tweaks.

If you use a Windows laptop next to an iPhone or Mac, you soon notice a gap: AirDrop works only between Apple devices, while your PC sits on the side. The good news is that you can still move files just as quickly on a Windows setup by mixing a few built-in tools and light apps.

Before we walk through step-by-step options, it helps to know what AirDrop actually does and how Windows gives you similar tricks under different names. That way you can pick one method, set it up once, and stop emailing files to yourself.

What AirDrop Does And Why Windows Needs Alternatives

AirDrop is Apple’s short-range sharing feature for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It uses Bluetooth to find nearby devices and Wi-Fi for fast transfers. Files stay on your local connection and the receiver has to approve each incoming item, which keeps random people from pushing photos to your screen. You can see the full feature list in this Apple guide on AirDrop.

There is no official AirDrop app for Windows. A Windows PC never shows up in the AirDrop picker on an iPhone or Mac, and Apple has not announced plans to change that. When people talk about “AirDrop for Windows,” they actually mean “AirDrop-style sharing that feels just as quick.”

Windows handles most of the same needs with local file sharing, Nearby sharing between PCs, and tight links to your phone. Third-party tools and cloud storage fill the remaining gaps, especially when you move files between iOS and Windows.

AirDrop For Windows Between Two Windows PCs

For a Windows-to-Windows setup, Nearby sharing is the feature that comes closest to AirDrop. It sends files over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth between PCs that sit near each other, and it has a simple picker just like the AirDrop panel. Microsoft explains the feature in its Nearby sharing in Windows help page.

Turn On Nearby Sharing In Windows

Set it up once on each PC and you can send files back and forth in a couple of clicks.

  1. Open Windows Settings — Press Windows+I on your PC or click the Start button and choose Settings.
  2. Go To System > Nearby Sharing — In the left sidebar pick System, then choose Nearby sharing on the right.
  3. Choose Who Can Receive — Pick My devices only for your own PCs or Everyone nearby when you want to share with coworkers or family at home.
  4. Set The Save Location — Under saving options choose a folder where incoming files will land, such as Downloads or a shared project folder.

Repeat these steps on the second PC so that both machines are ready to send and receive. Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and make sure the devices are within the same room.

Send A File With Nearby Sharing

Once Nearby sharing is ready, sending a file works from the Windows file manager, Photos, and most apps that use the standard Windows share sheet.

  1. Pick The File — In the Windows file manager, right-click your document, picture, or video.
  2. Open The Share Menu — Choose Share from the context menu.
  3. Choose The Nearby PC — In the panel that appears, wait for Windows to find the other computer, then select its name.
  4. Accept On The Other Side — On the receiving PC, a small toast appears. Click Save to accept or Decline to refuse.

You can send links from Microsoft Edge in the same way. Hit the browser’s Share button, pick the target PC, and the page opens in the other browser window.

Limitations Of Nearby Sharing

Nearby sharing works well for short hops inside one home or office room, but it has a few limits that matter in daily use.

  • Windows Only — The feature talks only to other Windows 10 or 11 devices, so it cannot connect to iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  • Local Network Range — Both devices need Bluetooth and a shared network or Wi-Fi hotspot. It is not a long-distance sharing tool.
  • Large File Delays — Big video files can take time over wireless, especially when both machines sit on a busy network.

If you stay inside the Windows world, though, Nearby sharing gives you an AirDrop-style feel without any extra software.

Send Files Between iPhone And Windows With Phone Link

When an iPhone enters the picture, Nearby sharing is not enough. Microsoft’s Phone Link app closes this gap by pairing your phone with your PC, then letting you move photos and documents in both directions. Newer updates even add drag-and-drop transfers from iPhone to Windows, as described in recent Microsoft Phone Link documentation and Insider blog posts.

Set Up Phone Link With Your iPhone

  1. Install Phone Link On Windows — On a Windows 11 PC, search for Phone Link from the Start menu and open it. On older versions you can grab it from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Install Link To Windows On iPhone — On the iPhone, open the App Store and download the Link to Windows app from Microsoft.
  3. Sign In With The Same Account — Open Phone Link on the PC and Link to Windows on the phone, then sign in with the same Microsoft account on both.
  4. Scan The QR Code — On the PC, choose the iPhone option and show the QR code. On the phone, use Link to Windows to scan the code and finish pairing.
  5. Give Permissions — Allow the app to see photos, send notifications, and connect over the local network so file transfer works smoothly.

Once paired, your phone appears inside the Phone Link window with shortcuts for recent photos, calls, messages, and other content.

Share Photos And Files From iPhone To Windows

When the connection stays active and both devices sit on Wi-Fi, moving files feels close to AirDrop, only with different buttons.

  1. Open Phone Link On The PC — Keep the app running in the background so the phone stays connected.
  2. Go To Photos Or File Transfer View — In Phone Link, open the panel that lists photos or files available from the phone.
  3. Drag Items Onto Your Desktop — Use the mouse to drag a picture or document from the Phone Link window onto a folder on your PC.
  4. Send Files Back To The Phone — Drag a file from your PC into the Phone Link window to copy it to the phone.

This setup handles most jobs where you would reach for AirDrop on a Mac: grabbing screenshots from your phone, saving short clips, or dropping PDFs onto your handset before a trip.

When Phone Link Is Not Ideal

Phone Link feels best when you live in Windows and use the phone as a satellite screen. It can feel heavy for one-off transfers on a workplace computer or a shared family PC.

  • Account Ties — File sharing runs through a Microsoft account, which might not match a locked-down work profile.
  • Install Rights — Your IT team might block new apps on the PC or on the phone.
  • Shared Machines — Keeping a phone paired on a shared desktop can show personal notifications to other people who sit down later.

In those cases, a neutral option like cloud storage or a USB cable may feel safer.

Other AirDrop Style Options On Windows

Nearby sharing and Phone Link bring you close to true AirDrop for Windows, but they are not the only tools worth trying. A few light choices handle almost every mix of devices you might use at home or at work.

Cloud Drives For Cross-Platform Sharing

Cloud storage is slower than local sharing, yet it shines when your devices sit in different rooms or buildings. Sign in with the same account on each device, drop a file in a folder, and open it on the other side.

  • OneDrive — Built into Windows, with apps on iOS and Android. Great for Office files and work documents.
  • iCloud Drive — Handy when you use both Windows and Apple devices. Install iCloud for Windows, then share folders with your iPhone or Mac.
  • Google Drive — A neutral choice when people in a group use different phones and laptops.

Cloud sharing works well for slower tasks like handing off a large video so the laptop can upload it overnight, or keeping a shared folder in sync for a team.

Shared Folders On Your Local Network

When both devices stay on the same Wi-Fi or wired network, a shared folder can feel almost as quick as AirDrop once it is ready.

  • Create A Shared Folder — In the Windows file manager, right-click a folder, pick sharing options, then choose the people or accounts that should see it.
  • Map It On Other PCs — On the second computer, add the shared folder as a network location so it stays one click away.
  • Drop Files Back And Forth — Copy files into the folder from either device; they are visible on both sides.

This pattern works nicely in a small office or home studio where the same people use the same machines each day.

Third-Party Transfer Apps

Several transfer apps advertise an AirDrop-style flow for Windows. New names come and go, so the safest option is to search the Microsoft Store and iOS App Store for well-reviewed tools that match your needs.

  • Pick Trusted Names — Check star ratings, recent reviews, and a clear privacy policy before you install anything.
  • Test With Non-Sensitive Files — Start with harmless items like wallpapers before you send personal documents.
  • Remove Apps You Stop Using — Uninstall transfer tools when they no longer earn a place on your devices.

Third-party apps can fill rare gaps, but for most people Nearby sharing, Phone Link, and cloud drives handle daily needs.

Quick Comparison Of AirDrop Style Options On Windows

Each method shines in a different situation. The table below gives a quick overview so you can match the tool to the job.

Method Best For Needs Internet?
Nearby sharing Fast one-room PC-to-PC transfers No, just local network and Bluetooth
Phone Link Regular sharing between phone and main PC Local network, plus online sign-in
Cloud drive Sharing across rooms, cities, or time zones Yes, uploads and downloads run online

Tips For Smooth And Safe File Sharing

Whichever method you pick, a few habits will keep transfers quick and cut down on strange errors.

Keep Radios And Devices Ready

  • Check Wi-Fi And Bluetooth — Make sure both switches are turned on for Nearby sharing and Phone Link sessions.
  • Stay Within Range — Keep laptops, desktops, and phones in the same room or at least within sight during a transfer.
  • Watch Battery Levels — Long copies drain phones and laptops, so plug in when you move big folders.

Avoid Unwanted Transfers

  • Limit Who Can Send — In Nearby sharing, pick My devices only at home and switch to Everyone nearby only when needed in shared spaces.
  • Clean Up After Using Public PCs — If you pair a phone with a hotel or library machine, remove the link once you are done.
  • Use Neutral Options For Sensitive Files — For tax records or ID scans, a wired USB transfer or encrypted cloud folder often feels safer than a wireless hop.

Choose The Right Tool For Each Task

  • Use Nearby Sharing For Quick Desk Transfers — Share links, screenshots, and small documents when everyone sits near the same router.
  • Use Phone Link For Daily Phone-To-PC Syncing — Keep your main desktop and phone tied together for photos and small files.
  • Use Cloud Drives For Long Distance Handoffs — Rely on online folders when the sender and receiver will not be in the same room.

Once you learn these options, “AirDrop for Windows” turns from a missing feature into a set of small habits. You match each transfer to the right tool, and your files follow you between phone, laptop, and desktop without cables or email chains.