AirDrop works between iPhones, iPads, and Macs to send your WiFi password without typing it out

AirDrop is Apple's built-in file-sharing tool that can pass WiFi passwords directly from one device to another. When you use AirDrop to share a password, the receiving device gets the network name and password together — no typing, no reading numbers aloud, no risk of getting it wrong. Both devices need to be within about 30 feet of each other, have Bluetooth and WiFi turned on, and be signed into an Apple ID.

The person receiving the password doesn't need to do anything beforehand except have their device nearby and AirDrop turned on. Once you send it, they see a notification asking whether to join that network. If they tap "Join," their device connects automatically and saves the password for future use.

Key Takeaways

  • AirDrop only works between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) — it cannot send passwords to Android phones or other non-Apple devices.
  • Both devices must have Bluetooth and WiFi enabled, and both must be within about 30 feet of each other for AirDrop to work.
  • The receiving device gets a notification with the network name and password pre-filled, so they straightforward tap "Join" to connect.
  • You can choose to share with "Contacts Only," "Everyone Nearby," or specific people, depending on your privacy preference.
  • If AirDrop doesn't appear as an option, check that both devices are signed into an Apple ID and that AirDrop is enabled in Control Center.

Steps to share a WiFi password via AirDrop on iPhone or iPad

Start with the device that is already connected to the WiFi network you want to share. Have the other person bring their iPhone or iPad close to yours — within about 30 feet.

Ask the other person to open Settings, tap WiFi, and look for your network name in the list of available networks. They should tap your network name but do not enter the password. Instead, they will see a popup asking for the password. This is where AirDrop comes in.

On your device (the one already connected), a notification will appear asking if you want to share the WiFi password with the other person's device. The notification shows their device name. Tap "Share" and the password sends when ready. Their device receives it, auto-fills the password field, and they tap "Join" to connect.

How to share a WiFi password via AirDrop on Mac

If you are sharing from a Mac, the process is similar but starts from your end. Open System Settings, go to WiFi, and right-click (or Control-click) on the network name you want to share. Select "Share Password" from the menu.

A window appears showing nearby devices that can receive the password. Select the device you want to send it to and click "Send." The receiving device (iPhone, iPad, or another Mac) gets a notification to accept the shared password.

On the receiving device, tap or click "Accept" when the notification appears. The password is now saved and the device connects to the network automatically.

Troubleshooting when AirDrop doesn't show the share option

If you don't see a "Share Password" option or the other device doesn't receive a notification, check these things first. Both devices must have Bluetooth turned on — AirDrop uses Bluetooth to find nearby devices, even though it sends the actual password over WiFi. Go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac) and confirm Bluetooth is enabled.

Next, check that AirDrop is turned on. On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, press and hold the WiFi and Bluetooth tile, and make sure AirDrop is set to "Contacts Only" or "Everyone Nearby" — not "Receiving Off." On Mac, click the Finder menu, select "AirDrop," and choose "Allow me to be discovered by" either "Contacts Only" or "Everyone."

Both devices also need to be signed into an Apple ID. Go to Settings > [Your Name] on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] on Mac, and confirm you are logged in. If you are not, sign in with your Apple ID.

If the devices still don't see each other, try moving them closer together and waiting a few seconds. Sometimes AirDrop takes a moment to detect nearby devices. You can also try turning Bluetooth off and back on, or restarting both devices.

Why AirDrop is safer than other ways to share a password

When you type out a password aloud or write it down, there is a chance of error — someone mishears a letter, writes down the wrong number, or the written note gets left somewhere. AirDrop eliminates that risk because the password transfers digitally and the receiving device auto-fills it.

AirDrop also keeps the password off email, text message, or chat apps, where it could be stored in a backup or cloud account. The password stays between the two devices and is never sent to a server or stored in a message thread.

That said, AirDrop only works between Apple devices. If you need to share with someone using an Android phone, a Windows computer, or another non-Apple device, you will need to use a different method — either reading the password aloud, writing it down, or using a password manager that both of you have access to.

What happens after someone receives your WiFi password via AirDrop

Once the receiving device accepts the password, it is saved in that device's WiFi settings. The next time that device is in range of your network, it will connect automatically without asking for the password again.

The person who received the password can also see it later if they need to. On iPhone or iPad, they can go to Settings > WiFi, tap the info icon next to your network name, and scroll down to see the password. On Mac, they can open System Settings > WiFi, select your network, and click "Details" to view the password.

If you later change your WiFi password, the old password will no longer work. You will need to share the new password with them using AirDrop again, or they can manually forget the network and re-join with the new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirDrop to share a WiFi password with an Android phone?

No. AirDrop only works between Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, and Mac. If you need to share a password with an Android user, you will have to read it aloud, write it down, or use a password manager that works across both platforms.

What if the person I'm sharing with doesn't have an Apple ID?

They need to be signed into an Apple ID on their device for AirDrop to work. If they don't have one, they can create a free Apple ID at appleid.apple.com. Once they sign in on their device, AirDrop will work.

Does the WiFi password get stored anywhere else when I share it via AirDrop?

No. The password is sent directly between the two devices and saved only in the receiving device's WiFi settings. It does not go to Apple's servers, email, or any cloud backup unless the person receiving it has iCloud Keychain enabled, which stores passwords in their iCloud account.

Can I share a WiFi password with multiple people at once using AirDrop?

No. AirDrop shares with one device at a time. If you need to share with several people, you will need to repeat the process with each device individually, or use another method like writing down the password or reading it aloud to the group.

What if my device is set to "Receiving Off" in AirDrop settings?

If your device is set to "Receiving Off," other devices cannot send you anything via AirDrop, including WiFi passwords. Open Control Center (iPhone or iPad) or Finder (Mac), find AirDrop, and change it to "Contacts Only" or "Everyone Nearby" so you can receive passwords from others.