Q: Airdrop on iPhone 5
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Feb 5, 2014 12:41 PMby sberman,Here is a writeup about AirDrop on iOS:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5887 -
Feb 5, 2014 12:45 PMby rockmyplimsoul,sberman wrote:
You have to be on a WiFi network with another AirDrop capable device.
As it turns out, that's exactly what you don't need. You need Wi-Fi turned on of course, but if one of the devices is connected to a network then AirDrop simply will not work in my experience. I believe AirDrop establishes its own peer-to-peer network, so if you're connected to another network this is not possible. I've tested this multiple times, and it only works when I disconnect from whatver network I (or recipient) are connected to.
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by Johnathan Burger,Feb 5, 2014 12:47 PM
Johnathan Burger
Feb 5, 2014 12:47 PM
in response to rockmyplimsoul
Level 6
(16,109 points)
Mac OS XYou are wrong.
It does not matter if you are connected to a network, airdrop still works.
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Feb 5, 2014 12:50 PMby sberman,Interesting observation.
On reflection, I believe you're right about establishing a peer-to-peer network. I believe I've read you can AirDrop with two iOS capable devices at the beach, for example.
But indeed when my iPhone is the only iOS device powered on, and I am on my WiFi, I do get AirDrop to appear. The reason may very well be that I have an AirPort Express on my WiFi, and I am guessing you do not.
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by Johnathan Burger,Feb 5, 2014 12:53 PM
Johnathan Burger
Feb 5, 2014 12:53 PM
in response to rockmyplimsoul
Level 6
(16,109 points)
Mac OS X
I just transferred a GIF using airdrop between my iPhone and iPad.
iPad is connected to a 5ghz wifi network.
iphone connected to a 2.4 ghz network.
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by Johnathan Burger,Feb 5, 2014 12:54 PM
Johnathan Burger
Feb 5, 2014 12:54 PM
in response to Johnathan Burger
Level 6
(16,109 points)
Mac OS X
PS.
I am on an Asus router-not an airport.
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Feb 5, 2014 12:57 PMby rockmyplimsoul,Maybe that's why, you're using two separate networks, or at least two SSIDs?
Not sure why we have this issue, and we're certainly not alone in this where getting off a network has been stated as the solution in other threads.
But the bottom line is that you don't need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to AirDrop as sberman was suggesting above. You just need Wi-Fi turned on.
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Feb 5, 2014 1:05 PMby rockmyplimsoul,rockmyplimsoul wrote:
Maybe that's why, you're using two separate networks, or at least two SSIDs?
Just moved one iPhone to our 2.4 GHz network and left the other on the 5 GHz network (I have the AirPort 5 & 2.4 frequencies on separate SSIDs). Now we see each other fine, so it sounds like if the two devices are on the exact same network then they won't see each other -- at least one of them needs to get off for AirDrop to work, at least in our case.
