Airdrop sometimes uses wired connection, sometimes doesn't, to transfer videos when iPhone is plugged into MacBook

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Level 1

17 points

Airdrop sometimes uses wired connection, sometimes doesn't, to transfer videos when iPhone is plugged into MacBook

I have the iPhone 15 pro max and newest MacBook Pro with M1 chip.

This is so frustrating. I am trying to transfer video files from my iPhone to my MacBook.

I have the iPhone plugged into the MacBook via USB-C.

Sometimes, when I select the video to Airdrop to the MacBook it will say "Sending via WIRED CONNECTION" and it sends very quickly. WHY DOES IT NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME WHEN PLUGGED IN???

It worked for a couple videos. For the others, it apparently forgets I am plugged in and tries to airdrop wirelessly. And I get the dreaded "Preparing" wheel, which takes at least 10 times as long.

Why would it not transfer via wired connection every time that it is plugged in??

How can I get it to do this more consistently??

It's kind of silly.

I made sure I have space.

It's plugged in, trusted, and unlocked.

I've tried unplugging it and plugging back in.

It just WON'T use the wired connection for videos most of the time. It's like a miracle when it finally decides that this time it will use the wired connection. Should be every time.

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 26, 2024 5:36 PM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

91,934 points

Oct 22, 2024 5:08 PM in response to kody93

Apple isn't here. It's likely more effective to transfer using photos or image capture than to rely on AirDrop to use a wired connection.

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Answer 2

Oct 6, 2024 9:24 PM in response to kody93

Gosh, I'm having the exact same issue !! this is very frustrating, can someone help on this one please? Otherwise, my large ProRes videos can't not be airdropped via wired connection every time ( sometime it works but sometime not)....

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Answer 3

kody93 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 22, 2024 4:50 PM in response to kody93

Hello?? Anyone from Apple wanna chime in? This is STILL an issue.

I am a videographer. I shoot videos on my phone all the time.

Sometimes I have deadlines.

This is slowing my workflow down to a very serious degree.

HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO TRANSFER FILES USING A WIRED CONNECTION??? It is UNBELIEVABLE that it is 2024 and I am having issues transferring files between my APPLE IPHONE and APPLE MACBOOK.

PHOTOS APP IS SLOW AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WARK

WIRELESS AIRDROP TAKES FOREVER

You would think, when I have the phone plugged in, it would ALWAYS use a WIRED CONNECTION to perform the airdrop. NOPE. Only sometimes! and NOBODY seems to know how to get it to work. IN 2024

This NEEDS to work. This was always a straightforward process for over a decade. Somehow Apple messed up what should be a rudimentary procedure. RIDICULOUS! Will be moving away from Apple products when I make my next phone and computer purchase. Multi-Billion dollar company can't figure it out nor offer customer support. APPLE is a JOKE.

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Answer 4

kody93 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 22, 2024 5:04 PM in response to kody93

SOMETIMES when I restart my iPhone it will send one or two of them with the wireless connection before it apparently forgets how to do that!

I have a dozen videos to transfer. I'm over here restarting my iPhone, transferring one or two, TRYING to send each of the others. Doesn't work. Restart again. Rinse and Repeat.

Does that seem like a functional process/product to you Apple??

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Answer 5

kody93 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 22, 2024 5:09 PM in response to kody93

Sometimes, restarting the iPhone DOESN'T work. There is no proven, consistent method for doing this based on everything I've tried and the research I've done online. Apple, you should be EMBARRASSED. As soon as I receive payment on a new invoice I will be buying new cellphones and a new computer from Dell/Samsung/Google. Unless I get a fix for this before then.

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Answer 6

kody93 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 22, 2024 5:18 PM in response to muguy

That's so frustrating. When Airdrop via Wired Connection does work (and it should EVERY TIME) - it is way, way faster. Trying to import 4k footage using the Photos app is a complete disaster. Again, Apple should be embarrassed by that as well.

Image Capture is a bit slower, but looks like it is working. Thanks.

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Airdrop sometimes uses wired connection, sometimes doesn't, to transfer videos when iPhone is plugged into MacBook

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