If you use Photo Supreme on macOS, you already know it’s a powerhouse for organizing, tagging, and managing large image libraries. But sometimes you don’t want to just organize: you want to share. Maybe you’re showing a client a photo on their iPad, sending a work-in-progress to your phone for social media, or moving images between Macs without cables or cloud uploads. This is where AirDrop becomes your best friend.

 

Why AirDrop?

 

AirDrop is Apple’s built-in, device-to-device file transfer system. It uses a mix of Bluetooth and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi to send files directly. Fast, secure, and without using your internet connection.
 

Why photographers and creatives love it:
 

• Speed: Even large RAW files can be transferred in seconds between nearby devices.

• Simplicity: No need to plug in cables, open iCloud, or use third-party apps.

• Privacy: Transfers happen directly between devices, encrypted, without passing through external servers.

• Cross-device convenience: Works between Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even Mac-to-Mac.
   

For Photo Supreme users, built-in AirDrop support means you can skip the “Export to Folder → Open Finder  → Find Folder and File → drag to AirDrop” steps. Instead, you share straight from the catalog.

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Two Ways to AirDrop from Photo Supreme

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Photo Supreme offers two slightly different ways to share over AirDrop; each with its own benefits.

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Option 1 — AirDrop as JPG

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This method quickly converts your selected images into JPEGs before sending. It’s ideal when:
 

• You want a universally compatible, easy-to-view format.

• You don’t need the original file size or RAW detail.

• You’re sending a preview, social media post, or proof copy.
   

Steps:
 

• Select one or more thumbnails in Photo Supreme.

• Click the Share button in the command bar below the thumbnails.

• Choose AirDrop as JPG.

• The macOS AirDrop dialog appears.

• On your iPhone/iPad, turn on the screen, unlock it, and ensure AirDrop is discoverable.

• Click your device in the AirDrop dialog.

• Accept the transfer on the iOS device.

• Click Done on your Mac to close the dialog.
   

Advantages:
 

• Quick and easy.

• Produces smaller files; faster transfers, less storage used.

• Guarantees compatibility with virtually any device.
   

Option 2 — Share through macOS

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This opens the macOS share sheet, giving you more flexibility. With AirDrop selected here, the original file is sent, no conversion.

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Perfect for:
 

• Delivering RAW or TIFF files for editing on another device.

• Keeping all embedded metadata intact.

• Sending multiple file types together (e.g., RAW + sidecar XMP).
   

Steps:
 

• Select one or more thumbnails.

• Click Share → Share through macOS.

• In the macOS share sheet, pick AirDrop (or another service).

• Follow the same AirDrop acceptance steps as Option 1.
   

Advantages:
 

• Sends the exact original file—no compression, no quality loss.

• Preserves all metadata and sidecar files (if selected).

• Works for any supported file type, not just JPG.
   

Things to note:

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• Larger files may take longer.

• Some iOS devices can’t open certain RAW formats; files will still transfer, but may not preview.

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Troubleshooting: When Things Don’t Show Up

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If your device doesn’t appear in the AirDrop dialog:
 

• Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices.

• Turn off Personal Hotspot: it interferes with AirDrop.

• Set AirDrop receiving to Everyone for testing.

• Keep the iPhone/iPad unlocked.

• On your Mac, open Finder → AirDrop and adjust visibility settings.

• Check your Firewall settings (Security & Privacy → Firewall → Options) to ensure AirDrop isn’t blocked.

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Final Thoughts

 

AirDrop in Photo Supreme is more than a small convenience: it’s a real workflow booster. Instead of exporting, hunting for files, or relying on cloud uploads, you can now:
 

• Get an image on your phone instantly for quick sharing.

• Send proofs to clients in seconds.

• Move originals to another editing station without a hard drive.
   

For a busy photographer or digital asset manager, those saved minutes add up fast. And because AirDrop is secure and offline, you can use it even in places with no internet. Your photos never leave your devices.