What is AirDrop?
AirDrop is Timer's instant file sharing feature that lets you send files and text to anyone in real time. Create a room, share the link, and start dropping files. No app installs or account sign-ups needed for recipients - just click the link and join.
Good to Know
All shared files automatically expire after 10 minutes for security. AirDrop rooms stay live as long as participants are active, and the host can close the room at any time.
Key Features
Instant Sharing
Drag and drop files or paste text to share instantly with everyone in the room
No Account Required
Recipients only need the room link and a display name to join and download files
Auto-Expiring Files
Files expire after 10 minutes, ensuring shared content doesn't linger indefinitely
Text Sharing
Share text snippets, code, notes, or any content as a text file without leaving the app
Shareable Links
Copy and send a simple room link so anyone can join your AirDrop session
Live Participants
See who is in the room in real time with online status indicators
Creating an AirDrop Room
Only authenticated Timer users can create AirDrop rooms. Here is how to get started:
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1
Open AirDrop
Navigate to the AirDrop page from the Timer navigation menu.
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2
Start AirDrop
Click the "Start AirDrop" button. A new room with a unique room code will be created automatically.
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3
Share the Link
Click "Share" to get the room link. Copy it and send it to anyone you want to share files with. Recipients can join without a Timer account.
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4
Drop Your Files
Drag and drop files into the upload zone, or click it to browse. You can also switch to the "Paste Text" tab to share text content.
Joining an AirDrop Room
Anyone with a room link can join an AirDrop session. No Timer account is required for guests.
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1
Open the Link
Click the AirDrop room link that was shared with you. It will look like timer.com/drop/ROOMCODE.
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2
Enter Your Name
Type your display name in the join form so others in the room can identify you.
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3
Join Room
Click "Join Room" to enter the session. You will immediately see all shared files and other participants.
Sharing Files
AirDrop supports two modes for sharing content: file uploads and text paste.
Uploading Files
Use the "Drop Files" tab (active by default) to share documents, images, and other files:
- Drag and drop one or more files into the upload zone
- Or click the upload zone to open a file browser
- Multiple files can be uploaded at once
- Maximum file size is 20 MB per file
- Uploaded files appear in the Shared Files list for everyone in the room
Sharing Text
Use the "Paste Text" tab to share text content such as code snippets, notes, or quick messages:
- Switch to the "Paste Text" tab
- Optionally enter a custom file name (defaults to "shared-text")
- Type or paste your content into the text area
- Click "Share Text" or press Ctrl + Enter to upload
- Your text is saved as a .txt file that everyone in the room can download
Supported File Types
AirDrop supports all common file types including documents (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), images (JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP), videos (MP4, MOV), audio (MP3, WAV), archives (ZIP, RAR), code files, and plain text.
Downloading Files
Any participant in the room can download shared files:
- Find the file in the Shared Files list
- Click the download button on the file
- The file opens in a new tab or triggers a browser download
- Each file shows who uploaded it, its size, and a live countdown to expiry
File Expiry
For security and storage management, all files shared through AirDrop have a 10-minute expiry timer.
- A live countdown is displayed on each file showing the remaining time
- Files turn red and show an "expiring soon" indicator when under 60 seconds remain
- Once expired, files are automatically removed from the room and deleted from the server
- Download files before they expire if you need to keep them
Room Management
Host Controls
The room creator (host) has additional privileges:
- Close Room: The host can close the room at any time using the "Close Room" button. This disconnects all participants and deletes all shared files.
- Active Rooms: Hosts can see their active rooms on the AirDrop start page and rejoin them at any time.
- A confirmation dialog is shown before a room is closed to prevent accidental closure.
Participant Controls
Guests who have joined a room can:
- Leave Room: Click "Leave" to exit the room at any time
- Upload Files: Share files and text just like the host
- Download Files: Download any file that has been shared in the room
- Delete Files: Remove files from the shared list
Sharing the Room Link
There are multiple ways to share your AirDrop room with others:
- Click the copy icon next to the room code in the header to copy the full link
- Click the "Share" button to open the share modal with the full URL and a copy button
- The share link format is timer.com/drop/ROOMCODE and works for anyone with a browser
Tips & Best Practices
Security First
Files auto-expire after 10 minutes. Do not share sensitive content unless all participants are trusted.
Keep Files Small
Files must be under 20 MB. Compress large files before sharing for faster uploads.
Download Promptly
Download shared files before they expire. Once the timer runs out, the file is permanently deleted.
Use Text Mode for Code
Use the Paste Text tab to quickly share code snippets or configuration text without creating a file first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do recipients need a Timer account?
No. Anyone with the room link can join by entering just a display name. Only the room creator needs to be a logged-in Timer user.
How long do files stay available?
Each file expires 10 minutes after it is uploaded. A live countdown is shown on each file. Once expired, the file is permanently deleted.
Is there a file size limit?
Yes, each file can be a maximum of 20 MB. Files exceeding this limit will be rejected with an error notification.
Can I rejoin a room after leaving?
If the room is still active, you can rejoin by visiting the same room link. If the host has closed the room, it will no longer be available.
What happens when the host closes the room?
All participants are disconnected, all shared files are deleted, and the room code becomes invalid. A "Room Closed" message is shown to all participants.
How many people can join a room?
AirDrop rooms support multiple participants. The live participant list in the room header shows who is currently connected along with their online status.
Can I have multiple rooms open at once?
Yes. The "Your Active Rooms" section on the AirDrop start page shows all rooms you have created that are still active, with participant and file counts for each.