How to Stop AirDrop Transfer from Sending Files to Strangers (2024)

PAGE CONTENT:

How to Quickly Cancel AirDrop
How to Completely Avoid Accidental AirDrop
Bonus Tip: Best Alternative to AirDrop

AirDrop is a wonderful feature that allows Apple users to share data between Apple products conveniently. It only takes a few taps to transfer a file from one device to another quickly, securely, and wirelessly. However, its excellent usability sometimes puts you in an embarrassing situation when you accidentally AirDrop data to the wrong person or the wrong device.

If you send confidential or private information via AirDrop, sending it to the wrong hand will probably lead to unintended consequences. Therefore, knowing how to stop AirDrop transfer is critical to avoid the information falling into an unwanted hand.

How to Quickly Cancel AirDrop

Thank God. You can quickly cancel the AirDrop from iPhone to iPhone before or during the file transfer. Canceling a pending AirDrop transfer is very straightforward - tap the same profile picture to which you are airdropping.

How to Stop AirDrop Transfer from Sending Files to Strangers (1)

The key to successfully stopping the AirDrop transfer is to tap the profile picture while AirDrop still displays a "Waiting" status, meaning the incorrect recipient has not yet agreed to receive your file. If the recipient taps "Accept" on his device, which changes the AirDrop status to "Sending," you still have a very small window to stop AirDrop from sending the file by tapping the wrong profile picture a second time.

Your file will not be shared with the other user after you cancel the AirDrop transfer. The process of how to stop AirDrop transfer is applicable to iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.

How to Completely Avoid Accidental AirDrop

Sadly, once the AirDrop transfer is complete on your device, there is no way you can cancel it. In order to save you from embarrassing situations and protect your privacy, this article provides two solutions to help you completely avoid accidental file sharing via AirDrop.

Turn Off AirDrop

In order to stop you from ending up sending files to the wrong person via AirDrop in the future, the best practice is to disable the AirDrop feature on your iPhone or iPad. You can turn on AirDrop on your iPhone and Mac again whenever you need it.

📴How to turn off AirDrop on iPhone or iPad:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "AirDrop."

Step 2. Tap on "Receiving Off."

How to Stop AirDrop Transfer from Sending Files to Strangers (2)

Or,

Step 1. Swipe down from the screen's upper-right corner to display the Control Center.

Step 2. Press and hold the tray that contains the Airplane mode, Cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to expand it.

Step 3. Tap the AirDrop icon and choose "Receiving Off."

How to Stop AirDrop Transfer from Sending Files to Strangers (3)

📴How to turn off AirDrop on Mac:

Step 1. Launch the Finder app.

Step 2. Select "AirDrop" in the sidebar.

Step 3. Click on the small blue text at the bottom of the AirDrop window that reads "Allow me to be discovered by:" and choose "No One."

How to Stop AirDrop Transfer from Sending Files to Strangers (4)

Bonus Tip: Best Alternative to AirDrop

EaseUS MobiMover Pro is a comprehensive and reliable data transfer tool. It allows you to transfer data from one iPhone to another. The source and target devices are fixed during the data transfer, so your sensitive data will never go wrong.

🏅How EaseUS MobiMover helps you transfer data:

  • It shares files between any two devices in Apple Mac lineups, iPads, iPhones, and iPods
  • It supports large files and unlimited data transfer.
  • It transfers many 14 file types, including videos, pictures, notes, music, contacts, messages, call history, and more.
  • It transfers data without quality loss.
  • Its user-friendly interface makes the file transfer easy to follow.
  • The data transfer speed and security through EaseUS MobiMover are equivalent to AirDrop.

FREE TRIAL

Conclusion

This article explains how to cancel AirDrop and avoid the mistaken AirDrop transfer. By tapping the wrong recipient's name or device while the AirDrop is waiting or sending, you can quickly stop the AirDrop from sending the data. Knowing this simple trick is very helpful in avoiding accidental AirDrop sharing in time.

To prevent you from sharing data via AirDrop inadvertently, it is advised to use an AirDrop alternative like EaseUS MobiMover for data transfer between Apple products or turn off AirDrop on your device while you are not using it.

FAQs on How to Cancel Pending AirDrop

1. How to know if an AirDrop went through?

If the AirDrop is successful, you will hear an alert tone or feel a vibration on your device. The status of the AirDrop will also appear under the recipient's profile picture as Sent.

2. How do I know if I airdropped something to someone?

Unfortunately, there is no way. Because AirDrop doesn't keep the history of files sent or received, it is impossible to see what you have sent to other devices.

3. How do I find my AirDrop history?

AirDrop doesn't log the AirDrop transfers, so there is nowhere you can find your AirDrop history on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer.

4. Is your AirDrop anonymous?

On the receiving device, an alert will appear asking if you want to accept the AirDrop transfer from another user. To the recipient, the AirDrop is not anonymous. However, the AirDrop transfer is encrypted and anonymous to any third parties.

How to Stop AirDrop Transfer from Sending Files to Strangers (2024)

FAQs

How to Stop AirDrop Transfer from Sending Files to Strangers? ›

If you don't want people sending you unsolicited nudes or other random photos, set AirDrop to Receiving Off (or No One on Mac). This will keep your device hidden from those around you. Setting it to Contacts Only will also prevent strangers from sending you stuff.

How to stop AirDrop from sending? ›

If the recipient taps "Accept" on his device, which changes the AirDrop status to "Sending," you still have a very small window to stop AirDrop from sending the file by tapping the wrong profile picture a second time. Your file will not be shared with the other user after you cancel the AirDrop transfer.

Why am I getting random airdrops? ›

Airdrop Scams:

Because token creators have the ability to airdrop their tokens to a wide range of addresses, even all existing wallet addresses, that means that random, unsolicited tokens and NFTs can appear in your wallet without your knowledge.

How do I turn off AirDrop for non contacts? ›

Apple iPhone - Turn AirDrop On / Off
  1. From a Home screen on your Apple® iPhone®, navigate: Settings. General. . If an app isn't available on your Home screen, swipe left to access the App Library.
  2. AirDrop. .
  3. Select the AirDrop setting: Receiving Off. : AirDrop turned off. Contacts Only.

Can you block AirDrop? ›

You can block AirDrop through Apple's Screen Time feature so a child or someone not authorized to use your device cannot share files. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to on. Then tap Allowed Apps and toggle AirDrop to off.

How do I cancel a data transfer on my iPhone? ›

If you want to stop the data transfer, just turn off the device. Once you turn it back on, it will take you back to the first page of the setup menu where you can choose to set it up as a new device without restoring data to it.

Why does AirDrop go to files instead of photos? ›

The AirDrop app is only available on iOS, so a Windows or Android device can't receive photos from AirDrop.

Is it safe to accept unknown AirDrops? ›

However, some users abuse AirDrop to send malicious files that could download malicious software onto your device. It is best to exercise caution when you receive a random AirDrop and reject it. AirDrops are a secure way of sharing files as they are encrypted.

Can random people AirDrop you? ›

If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file. If you're in their Contacts and they set AirDrop to receive from Contacts Only, they need to have your Apple ID email address or phone number included in your contact card for AirDrop to work.

Is it illegal to AirDrop random people? ›

Harassment can be reported to the police under existing laws and repeatedly sending unwanted messages and images via Airdrop can be prosecuted. The problem is the nature of cyber-flashing and similar incidents, the victim may not know their attacker or be able to report it.

Why should I turn off AirDrop? ›

The Risks of AirDrop. While AirDrop is a very convenient way to share files, children whose devices have it enabled are at risk of receiving inappropriate content without asking for it. This convenience also means that anyone with an Apple device can send files to your child's Apple device, even if they don't know them ...

How do you know if you accidentally airdropped something? ›

Can You See AirDrop History? No, Apple's AirDrop feature does not provide an option to view a history of the file transfers. Once a file is sent or received, there is no built-in functionality to track the log. You can only see the files in the destination where you saved them.

How do I find out who airdropped me? ›

Is there a way to see your AirDrop history on iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Unfortunately, no, there is not currently a feature for seeing the history of items sent and received. However, you can view the files that have been sent to you.

Are AirDrop tokens safe? ›

The biggest risk of crypto airdrop is that you can become a scam victim. In some cases, scammers ask for your personal information or access to steal your funds. So, you must do your research first before connecting your crypto wallet and providing sensitive information.

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