Where Do AirDrop Files Go on Mac? And Issue Fixes

"I can't find my airdrop documents on my macbook.I can't find my airdrop documents on my macbook. I can send it and I hear the sound, but then there is not pop up window to accept or any files in my downloads folder."

- A Question from Apple Community.

Wondering where AirDrop files or photos go on your Mac or MacBook? You’ve come to the right place. Follow this guide to learn where AirDrop files are stored, how to find them, and discover tips for troubleshooting AirDrop files not showing up and clearing duplicate AirDrop files.

Where Do AirDrop Files Go on Mac?

As for most AirDrop photos, videos, and files (zip files, pdf files, etc.), you can find them in the Downloads folder on your Mac.

For some photos and videos, you may find them in the Photos app. This is because there are two options - "Open in Photos" and "Save to Downloads" while you AirDrop photos and videos to Mac.

AirDropped notes are stored in the Notes app on Mac.

How to Find AirDrop Photos and Files on Mac

Directly open the Downloads folder on your Mac Dock.

Or, open Finder, then click Downloads in the Sidebar.

What to Do if AirDrop Files Aren't Showing Up in the Downloads Folder

Many users reported that they couldn't find AirDrop files in the Downloads on their Mac. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

1. Check if the AirDrop transfer is completed.
2. Check if the AirDrop transfer was canceled.
3. Verify if the AirDrop files were saved in a location other than the Downloads folder.
4. Ensure that the file transfer is not delayed.
5. Confirm that your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections are stable.
6. Make sure you click "Accept" when prompted by AirDrop.

Bonus: How to Find and Delete AirDrop Duplicates Quickly

AirDropped files are only a part of the Downloads folder. Over time, the Downloads folder may grow up to a larger size. So it's important to remove some useless or duplicate downloads.

BuhoCleaner is an easy-to-use and powerful duplicate file finder. With the help of this handy tool, you can find and delete AirDrop duplicates in the Downloads folder in seconds.

Here is how:

1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoCleaner.
2. Click Duplicates＞the + button＞Choose Custom Folder＞Downloads＞OK＞Scan.
3. Select the duplicate files you want to delete＞Click Remove.

Conclusion

After finishing this post, are you clear about where does AirDrop go on Mac? Go and access your AirDrop files/photos/notes in the Downloads/Photos/Notes app now.

FAQs

1. How Do I AirDrop Directly to Photos on Mac?

   To AirDrop directly to Photos on Mac, you have to select the Open in Photos option in the AirDrop notification on your Mac.

2. Why My AirDrop Files Not Showing Up in the Downloads Folder?

   Not all AirDrop files are stored in Downloads.

   Notes go directly to the Notes app. Photos/videos will go directly to the Photos app if you have selected Open in Photos rather than Save to Downloads.

3. How to Change the Default AirDrop Destination Folder on Mac?

   Unfortunately, you can't change the default Downloads folder to your preferred location. However, you can use the Automator app to create a workflow to move AirDrop files to a specific folder. For detailed steps, check out this article.