If you’ve ever received unsolicited or mistaken AirDrop requests, then you have likely wondered how to turn off AirDrop on iPhone 13. It’s a fun feature when it’s used correctly, but it can be something that you don’t want to use in particular situations.
Your iPhone is able to make a lot of wireless connections thanks to the Wi Fi and Bluetooth features of the device. This provides a number of different options that you can use to connect with other people and share files.
One of the ways that you can send and receive photos, videos, and other things is via AirDrop.
This is something that is exclusive to Apple users, and offers a quick way to transfer files to devices closer to you.
But the AirDrop feature on the iPhone has several different settings, one of which allows any other Apple devices to send you files.
Luckily this is something you can change so that you either completely disable the ability to receive files, or limit it to only people that are on your contact list.
Our tutorial below will provide you with additional information on changing the iPhone AirDrop settings on your device so that you can control who is able to send you files.
How to Disable the AirDrop Setting on an iPhone 13
- Open Settings.
- Choose General.
- Select AirDrop.
- Tap the Receiving Off option.
Our guide continues below with additional information on how to change whether or not other people can AirDrop files to you, including pictures of these steps.
Need to type in all caps? Find out how to caps lock on iPhone 13 so that you don’t need to press the Shift key between every letter.
How to Shut Off AirDrop on Your iPhone 13 (Guide with Pictures)
The steps in this article were performed on an iPhone 13 in the iOS 15.4.1 operating system. Note that these steps will work for other devices made by Apple as well, such as the iPad, iPod Touch, Mac computers, older iPhone models, and more.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap General.
Step 3: Select the AirDrop option near the top of the menu.
Step 4: Touch the Receiving Off button to prevent all other nearby devices from sending you files over AirDrop.
Note that you could also choose the Contacts Only button if you would like to allow only your contacts to send you files instead.
Our tutorial continues below with more information on how to prevent other people from sending you unwanted files on your iPhone when you turn AirDrop off.
More Information on How to Change AirDrop Settings on an iPhone 13
The AirDrop settings for your iPhone allow you to select between three different options:
- Receiving Off – no one will be able to send you any files through AirDrop if you choose this setting
- Contacts Only – only people who have saved contact cards in your iPhone will be able to send you files this way. This is the option that I use personally.
- Everyone – anyone who is nearby will be able to send you files via AirDrop from other Apple devices.
The ability to AirDrop is something that is only available to people with Apple devices. if you’ve never used AirDrop before, it’s actually a very efficient way to share a lot of files, or large files, with another iPhone user.
You can AirDrop a file to another Apple device by opening an app like the Photos app, selecting the file, then choosing the Share button at the bottom of the screen.
You can then tap the AirDrop icon on the sharing menu for the person with whom you would like to share the file. Note that you might see multiple devices or iPhone users on this screen depending on what your current AirDrop settings are.
The owner of the other iOS device will then get a pop up on their screen where they will be able to choose whether or not they want to receive the file, or multiple files, that you are trying to send to them.
Another way that you can change the AirDrop setting or turn it off completely is via the Control Center.
If you swipe down from the upper right corner of your Home screen to open Control center, you will see a Network Settings card at the upper left corner of the screen. This includes things like Wi Fi, Cellular Data, Bluetooth, and Airplane Mode.
But if you press firmly on that button, it will expand to include a couple other options, like an AirDrop button and a Personal Hotspot button. You can tap AirDrop here to change the setting as well.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing technology how-to articles and tutorials for over a decade. He has extensive experience in information technology both in small business and as a consultant.
His articles have appeared on dozens of websites and been read millions of times.
He covers many different topics concerning technology, but focuses primarily on smartphones, consumer software, and consumer electronics.
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