How to AirDrop a Folder of PDFs from iPad to Mac
Question details
The user is looking for a way to transfer an entire folder or a batch of PDF files from an iPad to a Mac using Apple's AirDrop feature.
- Product
- iOS Files App / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- iPadOS, macOS
- Scenario
- Transferring multiple PDF documents simultaneously between Apple devices for backup or editing on a desktop.
- Observed behavior
- AirDrop does not natively support transferring an entire uncompressed folder directly from certain PDF apps, requiring a workaround to send multiple files.
Ensure that both your iPad and Mac have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and that AirDrop is set to receive files from 'Everyone' or 'Contacts Only' on both devices.
Compress the Folder into a ZIP Archive Before AirDropping
Compressing the folder allows you to AirDrop the entire batch of PDFs as a single file, bypassing app-specific folder transfer restrictions.
Because some apps like Adobe Acrobat do not support sharing entire directories, the easiest method is to use the native iOS Files app to bundle everything into a single ZIP archive.
Navigate to the home screen of your iPad and open the native "Files" app.
Find the folder that contains all the PDF files you want to transfer to your Mac.
Long-press on the folder icon to open the context menu, then tap "Compress". A new ZIP file with the same name will be created in the same location.
Long-press the newly created ZIP file, select "Share", and tap the "AirDrop" icon. Choose your Mac from the list of available devices to complete the transfer.
Select and AirDrop Multiple PDFs Individually
If you do not want to create a ZIP file, you can manually select multiple PDF files within the Files app and AirDrop them in one go.
Easily Manage, Read, and Share PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office for iOS and Mac offers a seamless way to handle PDF files. Not only can you read and annotate PDFs on your iPad, but you can also effortlessly share documents across your devices using WPS Cloud, bypassing the need for manual AirDrop transfers.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on both your iPad and Mac from their respective App Stores or the official website.
- 2. Sign In to Enable Sync: Log in to your WPS account on both devices to activate WPS Cloud synchronization.
- 3. Save PDFs to WPS Cloud: Open your PDFs in WPS Office on your iPad and save them directly to your WPS Cloud storage.
- 4. Access Instantly on Mac: Open the WPS Office desktop app on your Mac and find your synchronized PDF files instantly available under the Cloud tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I AirDrop a folder directly from Adobe Acrobat on my iPad?
Adobe Acrobat on iPad is designed to manage and share individual files rather than complete folder directories. To share a folder, you must use the native iOS Files app to compress it into a ZIP file first.
Where do AirDrop files go on a Mac?
By default, any files, PDFs, or ZIP archives transferred via AirDrop from your iPad will automatically be saved to the 'Downloads' folder on your Mac.
Do I need internet access to use AirDrop?
No, AirDrop does not require an active Wi-Fi internet connection. It creates a secure peer-to-peer connection between your iPad and Mac using Bluetooth and local Wi-Fi to discover devices and transfer files.
Can I transfer folders without compressing them first?
If you use cloud services like iCloud Drive, WPS Cloud, or Google Drive, you can upload the uncompressed folder from your iPad and access it directly on your Mac. For local AirDrop transfers, zipping the folder is usually required to maintain its file structure.
