User profile for user: JungleMamaMela
JungleMamaMela Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Transfering PDFs from IPhone to MacBookPro

I need a solution to easily transfer pdf files downloaded on my iPhone to my MacBook pro. Like the way iTunes used to --->plug in usb and presto!! I homeschool my kid in the jungle and downloading resources by cell service is the only way to go.


I can't cloud, email or iMessage (due to internet speed/data usage) — Living in the Amazon has its benefits connecting is not one of them!


Airdrop does NOT work: MacBook OS Catalina does not appear on iPhone as an option. By the way I've reopened, reset and all that I could find to do to resolve this. (Grrr!!)


I looked into Files by Waltr but I run iOS 13 which is obsolete by their standards. Upgrading is not happening on my dial-up like speed.


Help out a frustrated Jungle Mama!!! Any suggestions, other than the above mentioned, would be GREATLY appreciated.

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 13

Posted on Aug 10, 2021 12:28 PM

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User profile for user: muguy
muguy
User level: Level 10
92,372 points

Posted on Aug 10, 2021 12:58 PM

One option would be to use a browser that saves downloaded files into a directory that is accessible on your Mac.


I use aloha browser. When you download a pdf in Aloha, it is saved as data within the app. Once you connect your iPhone to the Mac and navigate to the phone > files in finder. You'll see a list of the applications that can port data over in the familiar way that iTunes used to do it. So that's pretty pain free.


Plus, any current pdfs on your phone (say in the files app), can be moved to the directory of Aloha or a file explorer app through the share sheet (you'll see the app icon in the list beyond airdrop, etc. Then you can see those files through finder too.


And, you can also verify your bluetooth settings for AirDrop on the Mac and the phone. It might be something as simple as who is allowed to share. On the Mac, navigate to AirDrop in the left finder sidebar menu. Once there, you'll see a note at the bottom that shows with whom you can share. On the phone go to Settings > General > Airdrop. If you select contacts, make sure each user is a contact on the other.

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User profile for user: muguy
muguy
User level: Level 10
92,372 points

Aug 10, 2021 12:58 PM in response to JungleMamaMela

One option would be to use a browser that saves downloaded files into a directory that is accessible on your Mac.


I use aloha browser. When you download a pdf in Aloha, it is saved as data within the app. Once you connect your iPhone to the Mac and navigate to the phone > files in finder. You'll see a list of the applications that can port data over in the familiar way that iTunes used to do it. So that's pretty pain free.


Plus, any current pdfs on your phone (say in the files app), can be moved to the directory of Aloha or a file explorer app through the share sheet (you'll see the app icon in the list beyond airdrop, etc. Then you can see those files through finder too.


And, you can also verify your bluetooth settings for AirDrop on the Mac and the phone. It might be something as simple as who is allowed to share. On the Mac, navigate to AirDrop in the left finder sidebar menu. Once there, you'll see a note at the bottom that shows with whom you can share. On the phone go to Settings > General > Airdrop. If you select contacts, make sure each user is a contact on the other.

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Transfering PDFs from IPhone to MacBookPro

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