How to AirDrop Music from iPhone to iPhone

AirDrop lets you send music files wirelessly from one iPhone to another without using email, messaging apps, or a computer. This guide walks you through the entire process, from preparing both devices to troubleshooting common issues, so you can share songs quickly and securely.

What You’ll Need

Two iPhones (iPhone 5 or later) with iOS 7 or newer.
Both devices must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
Both devices must be within about 30 feet (9 meters) of each other.
Apple ID (for the initial setup, but not required for the transfer itself).

Step-by-Step

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both iPhones. Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier) to open Control Center. Tap the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons to enable them. (They turn blue when on.)
Enable AirDrop on both devices. In Control Center, press and hold the network settings card (the box with the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplane mode icons). Tap AirDrop and choose Contacts Only or Everyone. For the smoothest transfer, select Everyone temporarily, especially if the recipient isn’t in your Contacts.
Open the Music app on the sending iPhone. Locate the song or album you want to share. You can find it in your Library, Playlists, or Search.
Tap the More button (…). This is usually next to the song or in the top-right corner of an album or playlist. A menu will appear.
Tap Share Song (or Share Album/Playlist). This opens the share sheet with various options.
Tap the AirDrop icon. It looks like concentric circles (a circle with lines radiating from the bottom). A list of nearby AirDrop devices will appear.
Select the receiving iPhone. Tap the name or avatar of the person you’re sending to. The transfer will begin immediately.
On the receiving iPhone, tap Accept. A pop-up will appear asking to accept the AirDrop. Tap Accept. The music file will be saved to the Files app by default, not directly into the Music library.
Find the received music. Open the Files app on the receiving iPhone. Look in the Downloads folder or the AirDrop folder (depending on iOS version). The file will be there.
Add the song to the Music library (optional). To listen to the song in the Music app, you need to save it to your library. Tap and hold the file in Files, choose Share, then Save to Files (or Add to Music if available). If you see Add to Music, tap it and the song will appear in your library. If not, you can use a third-party app to import it, or simply play the file from the Files app.

Common Mistakes

AirDrop not showing up: Both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on. Also, check that AirDrop is set to Everyone or Contacts Only (and the recipient is in your Contacts).
Receiving device not visible: If the device doesn’t appear, make sure it’s unlocked and its screen is on. Some devices have a setting that hides them from unknown senders.
Transfer fails or is slow: Keep the devices close together and away from walls. Also, ensure no other AirDrop transfers are happening simultaneously.
Music file not in Music app: AirDrop sends the file, not the library entry. You need to manually add it to your library as described above.
Sharing a song that is DRM-protected: Songs purchased from iTunes Store before 2009 may have DRM and cannot be AirDropped. Only DRM-free files (like those purchased after 2009 or ripped from CDs) can be shared.

Tips

Use Contacts Only for privacy: If both devices are signed into iCloud and the recipient is in your Contacts, you can set AirDrop to Contacts Only for a more secure transfer.
Check file size: Large files (like albums) may take longer to transfer. Be patient.
Use AirDrop for other media: You can AirDrop photos, videos, and documents the same way.
If you’re having trouble, restart both devices: A simple restart often fixes connectivity issues.

Troubleshooting

AirDrop doesn’t work at all: Go to Settings > General > AirDrop and select Everyone. Also, check that Personal Hotspot is turned off on both devices, as it can interfere.
Devices see each other but transfer fails: Try turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices, then turning them back on. Also, make sure both devices have enough storage space.
Transfer completes but file can’t be opened: The file might be in a format that’s not supported by the Music app (e.g., FLAC). Convert the file to MP3 or AAC using a computer or a third-party app.
Receiving device asks for a password: This can happen if the sending device is not in your Contacts and you have AirDrop set to Contacts Only. Change it to Everyone temporarily.
AirDrop is grayed out: This usually means Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is off, or the device doesn’t support AirDrop (older than iPhone 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I AirDrop a song from Apple Music?

No, Apple Music songs are protected by DRM and cannot be shared via AirDrop. You can only AirDrop songs that you own (purchased, ripped, or downloaded from other sources).

Where do AirDropped songs go?

By default, AirDropped files are saved to the Downloads folder in the Files app. You can then move them to another folder or add them to your Music library.

Why can’t I see the other iPhone in AirDrop?

Check that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, AirDrop is set to Everyone (or Contacts Only with the recipient in your contacts), and the devices are within range (about 30 feet). Also, make sure the receiving device is unlocked.

Can I AirDrop an entire playlist?

Yes, you can AirDrop a playlist, but it will be sent as a single file (likely a .m3u or .pls file) that contains the playlist structure. The actual song files are not included; the recipient would need to have the songs in their library.

Does AirDrop use data?

No, AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct to create a peer-to-peer connection. It does not use your cellular data or require an internet connection.

Can I AirDrop music from my iPhone to a Mac?

Yes, you can AirDrop music to a Mac as long as the Mac supports AirDrop and is nearby. The file will be saved to the Downloads folder on the Mac.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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