Use AirDrop on Your Bowdoin iPad

Questions

  • How do I use AirDrop on my Bowdoin iPad?
  • How do I send a file to someone nearby using AirDrop?
  • How do I turn on AirDrop on my iPad?
  • Why can't people find my iPad with AirDrop?
  • Why is AirDrop not working on my Bowdoin iPad?
  • Can I use AirDrop on a managed Bowdoin device?
  • How do I receive a file someone is sending me with AirDrop?

Environment

This article applies to all Bowdoin College students and faculty using a college-issued iPad. AirDrop works on Bowdoin iPads for most file-sharing scenarios. Because Bowdoin iPads are managed through Jamf, AirDrop visibility settings may behave differently from a personal device — see the note below if you experience unexpected behavior.

Resolution

Requirements

For AirDrop to work, both devices must:

  • Have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on (AirDrop does not require a network — just both radios active)
  • Be within approximately 30 feet (10 meters) of each other
  • Be an iPhone, iPad, or Mac - AirDrop does not work with Android or Windows devices
  • Not have Personal Hotspot enabled

Turn on AirDrop

  1. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen.
  2. Press and hold the top-left group of controls (the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular icons).
  3. Tap the AirDrop button.
  4. Select Contacts Only to receive from people in your contacts, or Everyone for 10 Minutes to receive from any nearby Apple device temporarily.
Note: The Everyone for 10 Minutes option resets to Contacts Only (or off) automatically after 10 minutes. If you need to receive from someone not in your contacts, set it to Everyone for 10 Minutes right before they send.

Send a file using AirDrop

  1. Open the item you want to share (a photo, document, webpage, etc.).
  2. Tap the Share button (the box with an arrow pointing up).
  3. Tap AirDrop in the share sheet.
  4. Tap the name or profile picture of the nearby device you want to send to. The recipient will see a prompt to accept or decline.

Receive a file using AirDrop

When someone sends you a file via AirDrop, a notification appears on your screen. Tap Accept to receive it. The file is saved in the same app it was shared from — for example, a photo is saved to your Photos app, a PDF to your Files app.

AirDrop not available or appearing restricted? Because Bowdoin iPads are managed through Jamf, Bowdoin IT can configure AirDrop visibility settings at the device level. If AirDrop is grayed out or not behaving as expected, this may be intentional Jamf policy rather than a device problem. Contact the Service Desk if you believe AirDrop is being blocked and need it for a legitimate academic use case.

Troubleshooting AirDrop

If AirDrop is not discovering nearby devices:

  • Confirm both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on.
  • Ask the other person to set their AirDrop to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
  • Make sure you are not connected to GlobalProtect VPN — VPN connections can interfere with AirDrop's local network discovery.
  • Restart your iPad and try again. See Restart Your iPad in the Related Articles section.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

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