If you find that AirDrop appears to behave differently with certain file formats, there are two situations to consider.
1. AirDrop actually fails
If you try to AirDrop a particular file and receive an error message during or after the transfer, the problem may be with the file itself rather than the file format. For example, the file could be corrupted, incomplete, inaccessible, or the source device may no longer be able to access the file properly. In such cases, try opening the file on the source device first to confirm that it is intact and readable, and then try AirDropping it again.
2. AirDrop completes, but you cannot find the file
This is different from an AirDrop failure. If the AirDrop transfer completes successfully without displaying an error, but the file does not appear in an obvious app, do not assume that the transfer failed.
iOS normally saves an AirDropped item in an appropriate app based on the type of content. For example, photos generally go to the Photos app. However, other files may be saved in the Files app, particularly when there is no suitable app installed to open or handle that particular file type. Apple specifically notes that some received AirDrop items may be saved in Files.
Therefore, after a seemingly successful AirDrop, open Files → Browse and check locations such as:
- On My iPhone
- iCloud Drive
- Downloads, if applicable
You can also use the search field in the Files app and search for the exact file name or extension.
So, an unsupported or less-common file format does not necessarily mean that AirDrop has failed. AirDrop is primarily a method of transferring the item between Apple devices; what happens to the item after it arrives depends partly on how iOS handles that type of content and whether an appropriate app is available to open it. Apple also supports sending virtually any file from the Files app using Share → AirDrop.
In short: an error during the transfer suggests that the transfer itself may have failed; a completed AirDrop with no obvious destination often means the file was successfully transferred but saved somewhere other than the app you expected—most commonly in Files.
