Maximum files you can airdrop from iPhone 12 to MacBook Pro

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Maximum files you can airdrop from iPhone 12 to MacBook Pro

I'm attempting to copy my entire Photos library (10,000 Photos, 129 Videos - 49GB) from iPhone 12Pro Max (iOS 16.1) via airdrop to MacBook Pro (mid 2014; mac OS Big Sur 11.7.1).

Doesn't seem to be possible.

My iPhone acknowledges the MacBook Pro via airdrop.

Starts processing, then reports "Failed" without sending.

Trial & error demonstrates the Max number of files seems to be around 520.

There is sufficient HDD space on the MacBook (90GB).

Conducting a search shows this problem has previously been reported by other users.

Apple states there is no limit.

Clearly there is, or seems to be in my case.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Nov 7, 2022 10:15 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

139,871 points

Nov 8, 2022 5:09 AM in response to Frogg_au

AirDrop is intended for a few files and occasional use. What you are describing is not that sort of transfer.

Why not just plug in a USB <-> Lightning cable and do the transfer far faster and more reliable way?

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Answer 2

Nov 8, 2022 12:36 PM in response to Frogg_au

Ok, you win. Rather than being a limitless number of files, for casual transition from device-to-device where speed is no object, it turns out there is a limit.

... and your experiments shows that limit is around 512 files at a time.

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Answer 3

Frogg_au Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2022 11:22 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Didn’t have a cable at the time.

I did end up doing it that way.

This is also to challenge Apple’s claim that any amount of data can be airdropped.

Clearly not so.

Thanks for your reply.

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Maximum files you can airdrop from iPhone 12 to MacBook Pro

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