Are you tired of dealing with endless AirDrop notifications cluttering up your Mac or iPhone? Do you wish there was a way to simply delete them all at once, without having to manually dismiss each one? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll show you how to delete AirDrop files quickly and easily. Whether you’re receiving unwanted AirDrops from strangers or simply want to tidy up your notifications, we’ve got you covered. So sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the process of deleting AirDrop files like a pro.
To begin, let’s talk about the different ways you can receive AirDrops. AirDrop can be used to share files between Apple devices that are in close proximity to each other. This makes it a quick and convenient way to transfer photos, videos, documents, and other files between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, it can also be a nuisance if you’re receiving unwanted AirDrops from people you don’t know. If you’re not interested in receiving AirDrops from strangers, you can disable the feature on your device. However, if you do want to receive AirDrops, but you’re just looking for a way to delete them all at once, we have a solution for you.
Fortunately, there is a way to delete all AirDrop files at once on both Mac and iOS devices. On a Mac, simply open the AirDrop window and select the “Clear History” button. This will delete all of the AirDrop files that have been received on your Mac. On an iOS device, open the Control Center and tap on the AirDrop icon. Then, tap on the “Clear History” button. This will delete all of the AirDrop files that have been received on your iOS device. Now you know how to delete AirDrop files quickly and easily! So next time you’re dealing with a pile of unwanted AirDrops, don’t worry. Just follow the steps in this article and you’ll be able to clear them out in no time.
Deactivating AirDrop Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
To disable AirDrop via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, you can employ the following steps:
Bluetooth Deactivation
1. Access the “Settings” menu on your device.
2. Navigate to the “Bluetooth” section.
3. Toggle the switch to the “Off” position to disable Bluetooth.
Wi-Fi Deactivation
1. Open the “Settings” menu on your device.
2. Select the “Wi-Fi” option.
3. Toggle the switch to the “Off” position to disable Wi-Fi.
By completing these steps, you will have successfully deactivated AirDrop by disabling both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your device.
Disabling AirDrop from Control Center
This is a convenient way to turn AirDrop off quickly. Here’s how to do it:
- Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center.
- Tap on the AirDrop icon. It’s a white square with three concentric circles inside.
- Select “Receiving Off” to turn AirDrop off.
Detailed Guide:
For more detailed instructions, follow these steps:
1. Access Control Center:
Swipe up from the bottom edge of your iPhone or iPad screen. This will open the Control Center panel.
2. Locate the AirDrop Icon:
The AirDrop icon is a white square with three concentric circles inside. It’s usually located in the second row of icons in Control Center. If you don’t see it, scroll down to find it.
3. Disable AirDrop:
Tap on the AirDrop icon. A menu will appear with three options: “Receiving Off,” “Contacts Only,” and “Everyone.” Select “Receiving Off” to turn AirDrop off completely. Alternatively, you can choose “Contacts Only” to allow AirDrop only from people in your contacts or “Everyone” to enable AirDrop for all devices.
4. Exit Control Center:
Once you’ve selected your desired AirDrop setting, swipe down from the top of the screen to close Control Center.
Deleting AirDrop Requests from Notification Center
AirDrop requests appear as notifications in the Notification Center. To delete them, follow these steps:
- Swipe left on the notification.
- Tap “Delete”.
If you want to delete multiple AirDrop requests at once:
- Tap on the “Edit” button at the bottom left corner of the Notification Center.
- Select the AirDrop requests you want to delete by tapping the checkbox next to each one.
- Tap on the “Delete” button at the bottom right corner.
Alternatively, you can configure your device to automatically delete AirDrop requests after a certain period of time:
- Go to “Settings” > “Notifications” > “AirDrop”.
- Tap on the “Delete Old Requests” option.
- Select the desired retention period from the menu.
Blocking AirDrop from Specific Contacts
AirDrop is a convenient way to share files and other content between Apple devices. However, you may not want to receive AirDrops from everyone, such as people you don’t know or contacts you’ve had negative experiences with. Blocking specific contacts from AirDropping you is a simple process that can be done in a few steps.
Steps to Block AirDrop from Specific Contacts
-
Open the Control Center: Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or down from the top-right corner on an iPhone X or later) to open the Control Center.
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Press and hold the AirDrop button: The AirDrop button is located at the top-left corner of the Control Center, next to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth buttons. Press and hold the AirDrop button until a menu appears.
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Choose "Contacts Only" or "Receiving Off": In the menu that appears, you have two options:
- Contacts Only: This option allows you to receive AirDrops only from people who are in your contacts list.
- Receiving Off: This option disables AirDrop completely, so you will not receive any AirDrops from anyone.
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Select the specific contacts you want to block (optional): If you want to block AirDrop from a specific contact who is not in your contacts list, you can do so by following these steps:
- In the Control Center, tap on the AirDrop button.
- Tap on the "Everyone" option.
- Scroll down the list of devices and find the contact you want to block.
- Tap on the contact’s name.
- Tap on the "Block" button.
- The contact will be added to your blocked list and will no longer be able to AirDrop you.
You can unblock a contact at any time by following the same steps and tapping on the “Unblock” button.
Resetting Network Settings
If the previous methods fail to resolve the AirDrop issue, you may need to reset your device’s network settings. This will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and other network-related data.
Please note that resetting your network settings may also affect other apps and services that rely on network connectivity. Here’s how you can reset network settings on different devices:
iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap “General.”
3. Scroll down and tap “Reset.”
4. Select “Reset Network Settings.”
5. Enter your passcode when prompted.
6. Confirm the reset by tapping “Reset Network Settings” again.
Mac:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences.”
3. Click on “Network.”
4. Click on the “Wi-Fi” tab at the top of the window.
5. Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom-right corner of the window.
6. Click on the “TCP/IP” tab at the top of the window.
7. Click on the “Renew DHCP Lease” button.
8. Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
Using the Terminal in macOS
To delete AirDrop using the Terminal in macOS, follow these steps:
- Open the Terminal application by pressing Command + Space, typing “Terminal”, and then pressing Enter.
- Type the following command to disable AirDrop:
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.airdropd.plist - Enter your administrator password when prompted and press Enter.
- To verify that AirDrop is disabled, type the following command:
lsof -i :7697 - If the output is empty, AirDrop is disabled. If AirDrop is still running, repeat steps 2 and 3.
- To enable AirDrop again, type the following command:
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.airdropd.plist
Additional Details for Step 6:
The launchctl command is used to control system services. The load and unload subcommands are used to start and stop services, respectively. The -w flag tells launchctl to wait for the service to finish starting or stopping before returning. The /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.airdropd.plist path specifies the launch agent file for the AirDrop service.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
sudo |
Runs the command as an administrator |
launchctl |
Controls system services |
unload |
Stops a service |
-w |
Waits for the service to finish stopping before returning |
/System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.airdropd.plist |
Path to the AirDrop service launch agent file |
load |
Starts a service |
Uninstalling and Reinstalling AirDrop (macOS Only)
If you’re experiencing issues with AirDrop, one possible solution is to uninstall and reinstall it. Here’s how to do that:
1. Open a Terminal Window
Press Command + Space to open Spotlight Search, then type “Terminal” and press Enter.
2. Enter the Uninstall Command
In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AirDrop.plist
3. Enter Your Password
When prompted, enter your administrator password and press Enter.
4. Reinstall AirDrop
To reinstall AirDrop, type the following command in the Terminal window and press Enter:
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.AirDrop.plist
5. Restart Your Mac
Restart your Mac to complete the installation.
Once your Mac restarts, AirDrop should be reinstalled and working properly.
Using Third-Party Apps
If the built-in methods don’t meet your needs, you can explore third-party apps specifically tailored for deleting Airdrop files. Here are some popular options:
1. FonePaw iPhone Data Eraser
FonePaw iPhone Data Eraser offers a comprehensive solution for deleting Airdrop files permanently. It provides various erasing modes, including “Low Level” which overwrites data multiple times to prevent data recovery. FonePaw also enables selective file deletion, allowing you to choose specific Airdrop files to erase.
2. iMyFone Eraser for iPhone
iMyFone Eraser for iPhone excels in secure and thorough data removal. It employs advanced algorithms to overwrite and sanitize Airdrop files, ensuring they cannot be retrieved by any data recovery software. Additionally, it offers a preview function that lets you verify the files before erasing them.
3. Wondershare Dr.Fone – iOS Data Eraser
Wondershare Dr.Fone – iOS Data Eraser is a reliable and user-friendly tool for deleting Airdrop files. Its intuitive interface streamlines the process, making it easy to select files or choose predefined erasing levels. It supports bulk deletion, saving time by erasing multiple Airdrop files simultaneously.
4. Leawo iOS Data Cleaner
Leawo iOS Data Cleaner is known for its fast and effective data removal capabilities. It provides a “Deep Clean” mode that thoroughly scans and deletes Airdrop files along with their residual traces. The app also features a “Scheduled Cleaning” function that automates the deletion process at specified intervals.
5. iFreeUp
iFreeUp is a free and easy-to-use app that helps you manage and delete Airdrop files on your iPhone. It offers a “Junk Files” section where you can identify and remove unwanted Airdrop files, freeing up storage space. iFreeUp also provides a “File Manager” that lets you browse and select files before deletion.
6. Magic Phone Cleaner
Magic Phone Cleaner is a comprehensive cleaning tool that includes a dedicated section for managing and deleting Airdrop files. It analyzes your device to find large or duplicated Airdrop files and provides suggestions for optimizing storage. Magic Phone Cleaner also allows you to preview files before erasing them, giving you complete control over the deletion process.
7. Cache Cleaner
Cache Cleaner is a specialized app for deleting cache and temporary files, including Airdrop files. It scans your device to identify and remove these unnecessary files, freeing up storage space. Cache Cleaner offers a simple and straightforward interface, making it easy to use even for non-technical users.
8. PhoneClean
PhoneClean is a popular cleaning and optimization app that includes a “System Junk” section where you can delete Airdrop files. It analyzes your device to find unnecessary files and provides a detailed breakdown of what can be removed safely. PhoneClean also offers a premium version with additional features such as deep cleaning and data recovery.
9. AnyTrans for iOS
AnyTrans for iOS is a versatile file management and transfer app that also allows you to delete Airdrop files. It provides a “Storage Manager” module where you can view all files on your device, including Airdrop files. AnyTrans lets you select and delete individual Airdrop files or perform bulk deletion to free up space quickly.
| App | Features | Erasing Mode | Preview Function | Bulk Deletion |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| FonePaw iPhone Data Eraser | Comprehensive, multiple erasing modes | Low Level | Yes | Yes |
| iMyFone Eraser for iPhone | Advanced algorithms, secure erasing | Advanced | Yes | No |
| Wondershare Dr.Fone – iOS Data Eraser | User-friendly, predefined erasing levels | Basic, Medium, High | Yes | Yes |
| Leawo iOS Data Cleaner | Fast, “Deep Clean” mode | Normal, Deep | No | Yes |
| iFreeUp | Free, “Junk Files” section | N/A | Yes | No |
| Magic Phone Cleaner | Dedicated Airdrop file management | Normal, Deep | Yes | No |
| Cache Cleaner | Cache and temporary file deletion | N/A | No | No |
| PhoneClean | “System Junk” section, premium features | Normal, Deep | Yes | Yes |
| AnyTrans for iOS | File management, “Storage Manager” | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Considerations for Deleting AirDrop
Before deleting AirDrop, consider the following factors:
1. Functionality of Nearby Devices
Deleting AirDrop may hinder file sharing and other wireless connections between your device and nearby Apple devices.
2. Data Loss
Once deleted, AirDrop cannot be recovered. Any pending file transfers or received files may be lost.
3. Impact on Wi-Fi Direct
AirDrop utilizes Wi-Fi Direct, which establishes a direct connection between devices. Deleting it may affect the performance of other Wi-Fi Direct features.
4. Sharing Preferences
If you had customized AirDrop’s sharing preferences, such as who can discover your device, they will be reset to default upon deletion.
5. Third-Party Apps
Some third-party file transfer apps may rely on AirDrop for functionality. Deleting it could affect their performance.
6. Security Implications
AirDrop relies on Bluetooth for device discovery. Deleting it could increase your security by reducing the exposure of your device to potential Bluetooth attacks.
7. Convenience
AirDrop offers a quick and convenient way to share files wirelessly. Deleting it may require you to find alternative file transfer methods.
8. Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing issues with AirDrop, deleting and reinstalling it can be a troubleshooting step. However, this will remove any pending file transfers.
9. System Updates
Future system updates may reintroduce AirDrop, so it may not be a permanent solution to delete it.
10. AirDrop History
Deleting AirDrop will not clear the history of files you’ve shared or received using the feature. To clear the history, you must manually delete the files from your device.
How To Delete Airdrop
Airdrop is a feature that allows you to share files wirelessly between Apple devices. It’s a convenient way to share photos, videos, and other files with your friends and family. However, if you’re not using Airdrop, you can delete it from your device.
To delete Airdrop, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap on "General."
- Scroll down and tap on "Airdrop."
- Tap on the "Off" button.
Airdrop will now be disabled on your device. You can turn it back on at any time by following the same steps.
People Also Ask About How To Delete Airdrop
Do I need to delete Airdrop?
No, you don’t need to delete Airdrop if you’re not using it. However, if you’re concerned about privacy, you may want to disable it.
What happens if I delete Airdrop?
If you delete Airdrop, you will no longer be able to share files wirelessly between Apple devices. You will still be able to share files using other methods, such as email or messaging.
