Guides

Where do AirDropped photos go on a Mac?

Your Downloads folder. In Finder, press Option-Command-L to open it.

Open Downloads

• Finder: Go → Downloads or Option-Command-L
• Dock: the Downloads folder or stack

Sources: Use folders in the Dock · Mac keyboard shortcuts

Newest first

View → Show View Options → Sort By: Date Added. The folder stays sorted that way.

Source: Sort and arrange items in the Finder

Not in Downloads?

• Your Mac may ask: save to Downloads, or open in Photos. Picked Photos? It's in your library.
• Same Apple Account on both devices? It's accepted and saved with no prompt.

Source: Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

Found them. They're all IMG_.