Simon Brown • May 3, 2024Previously, data was transferred through physical connections between smartphones and computers, which was later replaced with Bluetooth, a wireless approach. However, Bluetooth proved slow and cumbersome, so AirDrop entered the scene in 2013 with iOS 7 or later versions of the iPhone.
For Apple device users, AirDrop PC is a common file-sharing method as it doesn’t require any setup except enabling it from both devices. To learn more about this data transfer approach, consult this guide and expand your knowledge. After reading, you will understand facts about AirDrop for Windows and find several alternatives to streamline file sharing.
Unfortunately, you cannot AirDrop to a PC because it’s Apple's proprietary file-sharing feature. It detects other iPhones, iPads, or Macs using AirDrop without additional setups and allows you to transfer photos, videos, locations, websites, and documents. For data transfer, it uses an ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection, where it doesn’t need an internet connection.
In terms of history, AirDrop was first added to Mac OS X Lion in 2011 and arrived on the iPhone in 2013. Notably, AirDrop protocols for Mac and iPhone weren’t interoperable in its initial days. Now, it employs Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to identify nearby compatible devices within 30 feet. When a compatible device is detected and selected, it establishes a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection to share files of any size.
Since there is no limit on file size to share, the recipient device must have enough storage to receive the data. AirDrop uses TLS encryption over the peer-to-peer network for data security and creates a firewall between devices to prevent unauthorized access.
As you know, there is no AirDrop for Windows 10, so you must look for alternatives. In this regard, you can consult this section for easy and secure alternatives to AirDrop with their detailed guides. By the end, you will have a reliable alternative that resonates with your needs and be aware of its operations.
The first and foremost alternative to AirDrop for Windows, which emerges from the mind, is Avica remote desktop software for several reasons. The one is its end-to-end comprehensive AES-256 encryption, which keeps the process secure like AirDrop in Apple devices. Secondly, it's a remote desktop app that allows you to access and control the connected devices in remote sessions.
Additionally, this platform facilitates a patented protocol for high-speed transfer that is faster than HTTP/FTP, regardless of your file size and format. Avica can share unlimited files across devices without any location restrictions, such as AirDrop, which limits users to keep devices within 30 feet. Unlike other alternatives, this solution isn’t bound to Apple or Windows users and is accessible on all devices.
Now you know that Avica isn’t limited to offering file-sharing abilities; it is a complete remote communication suite. Let’s first learn how seamlessly it works as an alternative to AirDrop for Windows PCs; then, you can try out its other functionalities.
Feel free to download Avica software by clicking the button below or download Avica mobile app from Google Play and App Store. If you're seeking additional information about Avica product downloads, you can visit the Avica download page. Rest assured, Avica guarantees the safety and virus-free nature of all products obtained from the official website or app store.
Download the newer version of Avica on your PC and use the App Store to install it on your iPhone. Launch it on your PC and toggle the “Allow Remote Access to This Device via Your Credentials” option from the “This Device” section. Afterward, note the “Avica ID” and “Password” to establish a remote connection with the iPhone’s Avica through them.
After noting the Avica credentials from the PC, tap in the text box below “Remote Connection” in the iOS version of Avica and enter the “Avica ID.” Then, hit the “File Transfer” button to gain the next screen with "Send Files" and "Download" files. If you are connecting for the first time, insert the password after pressing the “File Transfer” button.
Once you establish a connection, tap the “Send Files” option to share files from iPhone to PC. Then, pick the “Photos” option to transfer images or videos and the “Files” option to share documents. To share images or videos, hit the “Photos” option, select the required media, and press the “Add” option.
Conversely, use the “Files” option to choose documents from your iPhone and continue with the “Open” option. Finally, pick a destination on your PC to save the data and hit the “Send” button to transfer them.
The second alternative to AirDrop on PC is iCloud, launched in 2011 and integrated with iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It ensures Apple users receive the same important data on all devices through automatic synchronization and file storage abilities. If you are interested in learning how this alternative of AirDrop works for transferring data to a PC, below is the stepwise guide that you can review:
Step 1: Download the iCloud App for Windows and sign in with your iPhone’s Apple ID credentials. Once set up, tap the forward symbol on the “iCloud Photos” tab to enable the “iCloud Photos” feature from the next screen and hit the “Done” button. Repeat the same process using the forward icon on the “iCloud Drive” tab to enable data to be synced in your File Explorer.
Step 2: Head towards your system’s File Explorer and choose “iCloud Photos” from the left-side panel. Now, right-click on a photo and select the “Always Keep on This Device” option from the list.
Step 3: Afterward, wait until you see a green check mark icon below your chosen images. Once you see the check mark, you can copy-paste the photos to your desired folder on your PC.
Step 4: Using your File Explorer, tap the “iCloud Drive” option from the left panel and access your iPhone’s files. Right-click on one and press the “Always Keep on This Device” option. Then, wait for the green check mark and copy-paste files at your preferred location on the PC later.
Another alternative you can try is iTunes File Sharing, which is a dedicated application for sharing data between an iPhone and a computer. Let’s try this alternative of AirDrop for PC to iPhone file transfer using the given step-by-step instructions. Before formally starting the process, ensure you have an Apple-certified USB cable and an app supporting files, videos, or photos on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the Photos app on your iPhone, long-press your required image or video, and tap the “Share” button. From the next list, choose the “Save to Files” option and locate the “On My iPhone” folder to save the photo or video.
Step 2: Access the “Files” app on your iPhone and locate the documents you wish to share with your computer. Long-press on the file to touch the “Move” option, navigate to the “On My iPhone” folder, and press the “Copy” option.
Step 3: As you move your data to the “On My iPhone” folder in your iPhone, connect your iDevice to the PC. Launch iTunes and click the “iPhone” icon at the top-left side to access your iPhone’s data.
Step 4: Choose the "File Sharing" option from the left panel and tap on the app where you saved the data earlier. Finally, select the files you want to save and hit the "Save" button to pick a destination on your PC. Afterward, you can click "Done" and preview the transferred data as needed.
In 2021, Intel acquired a company named Screenovate and introduced Unison to connect your phone to a PC. It is used to share photos, files, and messages directly across devices and receive notifications on the PC.
Notably, this app works on Evo-powered laptops running on 13th Gen processors with Windows 11 installations. To resolve your “Can I AirDrop to a PC” query, you can try this alternative application using the following steps:
Step 1: Install Intel Unison on both devices and pair your iPhone with your PC through a QR code. Then, give permission to access your photos, contacts, and messages once you receive a pairing confirmation message.
Step 2: Now, choose the “File Transfer” feature from the left side panel and click the “Add Files” option to select data from the PC. Afterward, you will find the data in the “Received” screen on the iPhone to open, copy, and move anywhere.
Step 3: To transfer files from iPhone to PC, open Intel Unison and tap the “Sent” tab to hit the arrow icon. Following that, use the “Files” or “Gallery” option based on your need to transfer images, videos, or documents. Later, pick multiple photos or videos and tap the “Add” option to transfer photos/videos to your PC.
Step 4: On the other hand, if you choose the “File” option, you need to press the “Open” option after selecting files from a folder to transfer to the PC.
It’s another traditional approach to sharing data across devices, but it’s limited to supporting 16MB - 25MB of files in attachments. Gmail is the commonly used professional email service provider that allows you to send 25MB of email attachments, where you are bound to upload exceeding attachments on Google Drive for sharing.
To continue with this wireless alternative of AirDrop PC to iPhone, you can look at this stepwise guide on Gmail:
Step 1: Set up your Gmail account on your iPhone and Windows PC simultaneously using your credentials. Later, click the “Compose” icon from your iPhone and enter the receiver’s address, subject, and body text. Then, tap the “Attachment” option from the top and select images, videos, or documents to hit the “Send” icon.
Step 2: Browse the email you sent from your iPhone and open it on your computer. Hover your cursor on the file and obtain the “Download” icon to press and save the file in your system.
Apparently, all the methods discussed above are good to go for data sharing across devices when AirDrop from iPhone to PC isn’t supported. To wisely choose one, you can delve into the given in-depth analysis and comparison of alternatives in a table format.
|
Methods |
Speed |
Security |
File Size |
Compatibility |
Ease of Use |
|
Avica Remote Desktop |
Blazing-fast Algorithms, 100 Times Faster than FTP/HTTP |
End-to-end AES-256 Encryption |
Unlimited File Size Without Any Format Restrictions |
All Devices |
Easy |
|
iCloud App |
Depends over Internet |
Secure as Requires iCloud Credentials and Authentication |
No Limit, but Synchronization Takes Time |
All Devices |
Requires Long Setups and Patience |
|
iTunes File Sharing |
Moderate |
Secure |
No Limit |
Not Available on Mac (An App for Windows) |
Lengthy |
|
Intel Unison |
Moderate over Wi-Fi |
Secure |
No Limit |
Not for Windows 10, Non-Evo Powered Laptops |
Incompatible with Most Systems |
|
Email (Gmail) |
Depends over Internet |
Unsecure (Dependent on Third-Party Servers) |
25MB |
All Devices |
Easy |
Let’s wrap up the discussion; you cannot access AirDrop on a PC to transfer data wirelessly with other devices. Instead, several alternatives to AirDrop are available and discussed in this article with their operating instruction. If you need an exclusive and reliable alternative, you should rely on Avica remote desktop, as the comparative table concluded with evidence.
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