# How to Send Files from iPhone to iPhone Without AirDrop

If AirDrop will not find the other iPhone, open Send via Wi-Fi in Safari on both phones and send directly over the same Wi-Fi. If the other person is far away, share an iCloud link from Photos or a download link instead; both keep full quality, unlike a video sent in Messages.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-files-from-iphone-to-iphone-without-airdrop · Updated 2026-10-01_

**Quick answer:** Without AirDrop, two iPhones nearby can open sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi in Safari and send directly over Wi-Fi or a hotspot. For an iPhone somewhere else, use Copy iCloud Link in Photos, Mail Drop, or a download link. Avoid Messages for important videos, as it may send a smaller version.

## Why AirDrop sometimes lets you down

AirDrop needs both iPhones close together, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on and the receiving phone set to accept. The usual problems are simple: the receiver is set to _Receiving Off_ or _Contacts Only_ without the sender in their contacts, Personal Hotspot is on, or the screen is locked. NameDrop, where you hold two iPhones top to top, shares contact details and can start AirDrop on recent iOS versions, but it fails for the same reasons and only works with the phones touching.

On recent iOS versions, a transfer that has already started may continue over the internet if you walk out of range, as long as both people stay signed in to iCloud. It does not help if the phones never found each other, or if the other person is in another city.

## Methods compared

| Method | Works when | Quality | Size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Send via Wi-Fi (browser) | Both phones nearby or able to share a code | Original file | No limit on our side; memory note below |
| Copy iCloud Link (Photos) | Anywhere, if you use iCloud Photos | Full quality | Your iCloud storage |
| Mail Drop | Anywhere, via the Mail app | Original file | Large attachments, per Apple's Mail Drop limits |
| Messages | Anywhere | Videos may be compressed | Limited for big videos |
| Download link | Anywhere, receiver can download later | Byte for byte original | Up to 20 GB per transfer |

## Two iPhones in the same room: Send via Wi-Fi

1. On both iPhones, open **sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi** in Safari. The sender can tap _Send them the link_ to pass the page along.
2. Join the same Wi-Fi, or put one phone on the other's Personal Hotspot with mobile data on. The other iPhone appears with a name and an animal avatar.
3. Tap it, then choose _Photo Library_ or _Browse_ to pick files.
4. The other person taps _Accept_.
5. Both keep Safari in front and the screen on until it finishes. Received files are in Files > Downloads; open a video and tap _Save Video_ to add it to Photos.

![A prompt on the receiving device saying another device wants to send files, with Accept and Decline buttons](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/assets/img/guides/wifi-accept.jpg?v=1791899187)

Files travel directly between the two phones, encrypted, and are not stored on a server. The receiving iPhone holds each file in memory until it is complete, so a single file of several gigabytes may fail if the phone is short of memory. Many photos and normal clips are fine; for one huge video, use a link. Not on the same network? Tap _Show a code_ on one phone and _Enter a code_ on the other.

## The other iPhone is far away

**iCloud link.** In Photos, select the items, tap Share and choose _Copy iCloud Link_. Paste it into any chat. The recipient sees full-quality originals and can save them. The items must have finished uploading to iCloud Photos, and Apple keeps the link only for a limited time, so the other person should save them soon.

**Mail Drop.** In the Mail app, attach a large file; Mail offers Mail Drop, which uploads it to iCloud and sends a link instead. Apple sets the size and expiry limits, so check its current rules for very large files.

**Download link.** On the [homepage](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/), upload up to 1000 files or 20 GB per transfer, then send the link, QR code or short code. It lasts 1 day, can have a password, and the other iPhone downloads the original to Files > Downloads, which works better than a direct transfer for a single very large video.

![Finished transfer screen with the download link, Copy and Share buttons, a QR code and a short download code](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/assets/img/guides/upload-done.jpg?v=1791899187)

## What about Messages and WhatsApp?

iMessage is fine for a few photos, but long videos may be sent at reduced quality, and if _Low Quality Image Mode_ is on in _Settings > Apps > Messages_ (or _Settings > Messages_ on older iOS), photos are shrunk too. Chat apps such as WhatsApp also compress unless you send a video as a document. For a wedding video or work footage, use a link or Send via Wi-Fi instead. See [sending video from an iPhone](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-video-from-iphone) for more on this.

## Which should you use?

Same room, AirDrop being stubborn: [Send via Wi-Fi](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-via-wifi) in Safari, which also works over a [hotspot](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/transfer-files-over-hotspot). Different places and you both use iCloud Photos: Copy iCloud Link. A very large single video, or a recipient who will look later: a download link. Setting up a brand-new iPhone is a different job; use Apple's Quick Start, which moves everything at once.

_Share Large Files Free is independent and is not affiliated with Apple or WhatsApp. iPhone, AirDrop, NameDrop, iCloud, iMessage and Safari are trademarks of Apple Inc._

## Troubleshooting

- **AirDrop shows "No People Found".** Ask the receiver to set AirDrop to _Everyone for 10 Minutes_ in Settings > General > AirDrop and unlock their phone.
- **The other iPhone is missing in Send via Wi-Fi.** Check both pages are open and on the same network; on public Wi-Fi use a 6-digit code or a private room.
- **Copy iCloud Link is not shown.** iCloud Photos is off, or the items have not uploaded yet.
- **A transfer stops when the screen locks.** Keep Safari open and the screen awake on both phones.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I send files between iPhones without AirDrop?

Yes. Use Send via Wi-Fi in Safari for phones nearby, or an iCloud link or download link for phones elsewhere.

### Does Messages reduce video quality?

It can. Long videos may be sent smaller, so use a link or Send via Wi-Fi for originals.

### Does AirDrop work over long distance?

No. Both iPhones must be near each other to start; recent iOS versions may finish an already started transfer over the internet.

### Where do received files go on the iPhone?

Browser transfers and links land in Files > Downloads. Open a video and tap Save Video to add it to Photos.

### Is there a size limit?

Send via Wi-Fi has none on our side but depends on the iPhone's memory; download links take up to 20 GB.