How To Fix AirDrop Not Working On iPhone, iPad or Mac (2024)

Fix AirDrop Not Working On iPhone, iPad, Or Mac. I will talk You How Fix AirDrop Not Working On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. In this article, I will explain how To Solve This Error. You Can Follow the steps given below.

AirDrop Requirements:

It is also important to note that you cannot support AirDrop now. As per this text, the following can be changed:

• iPhone (iPhone 5 or newer)
• iPod Touch (5th generation or newer)
• iPad mini
• iPad (fourth generation or newer)
• Mac (manufactured in 2012 or later)

The device must be running iOS 7 or OS X Yosemite or later.

Unlock Your Device

If you send something to someone through AirDrop, the target phone or ipad unlatch should be waken. If the target device is not awake, then your device will not detect its device.

Keep your Mac on and off when sending or receiving files from AirDrop.

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. You don’t need internet on your device. You have to turn them on.

• On your iPhone or iPad: Access the Control Center → Tap the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons to enable them (the icons should turn blue).

• On your Mac: Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar → Click the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi icons to enable them (the icons should turn blue).

Turn Off Personal Hotspot On iPhone or iPad

AirDrop and Hotspot use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. If you use a hotspot on your iPhone, you cannot use AirDrop.

If you keep your hotspot off, you can use airdrop

Bring Devices Closer To Each Other

There shouldn’t be any hiccups while sending files from AirDrop. Stay within a distance of both devices (at least 30 feet). If the concrete wall comes between the two devices, it forms the base of the barrier.

Send Different File Types Separately

If there is an error while sending the files together, then you can send the files one by one.

The target device cannot receive all these files at the same time without encountering an error. This happens when you send multiple files of the same type.

This happens because Duke tries to launch every file it receives in its default application, and it is difficult to do this for multiple applications at the same time. It is better to send files of the same type via airdrop instead of sharing everything at once.

Turn off Airplane Mode on your iPhone or iPad

When you turn on “Airplane Mode” on your device, all virtual services like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned off.

Go to the settings of your iPhone or iPad and turn off Airplane Mode.

Turn off DND or Focus Mode

When you are in a particular focus mode, you can send files to any other people via Aridrop. But you can’t receive an airdrop transfer.

Disabling “Do Not Disturb” and “Focus” stops airdrop alerts and many messages that make it difficult to locate the device.

Check AirDrop Visibility Settings

AirDrop has three settings:

• No One/Receiving Off: This prevents everyone from discovering your device.
• Contacts Only: Allows people with mobile numbers or email addresses saved in your contacts to send you files.
• Everyone/Everyone for 10 minutes: Allows everyone to discover your device and send files.

People who are not in contact with you cannot send files to you. Contacts configuration makes your device safe. When you’re just on the other end of the connection, Apple says both devices are signed in to iCloud.

Check Privacy Restrictions

If you cannot find the AirDrop icon, it is because you or someone else has blocked it using the Restrictions tool on your device.

On iPhone or iPad:

• Open Settings → Screen Time.
• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

• Select Allowed Apps. Make sure that AirDrop is enabled.

On your Mac:

• Open System Settings → Screen Time.
• Click Content & Privacy.

• Select App Restrictions.

• Toggle AirDrop on and Select Done.

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Sign In to your Apple Account

You can access AirDrop by signing out of your Apple ID and signing in again.

• On your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings →, tap your account, and choose Sign Out.
• On your Mac: Go to System Settings → select your account and Sign Out.

Check the Downloads Folder

If you have received a file on AirDrop on your device and you are not getting it, and you think that AirDrop is damaged, there is nothing like that. Go to your Downloads folder and see.

• On iPhone, open the Files app and look for a Downloads folder.
• Meanwhile, you can usually find the Downloads folder on your Mac on your Dock. Otherwise, open a new Finder window and press Option + Cmd + L.

Turn off VPN

Some users say that airdrop doesn’t work until they turn off their vpn. If you are using a third-party VPN app, turn it off. Here’s how to block VPN on your cheat settings.

• On your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings and General → VPN & Device Management.
• On your Mac: Go to System Settings. → Click Network on the sidebar. → select VPN. If you can’t see it, click the More dropdown menu and select VPN Configuration.

Update Your OS

Remember that the OS on your device is always up to date. Beta versions of the OS are also known for bugs and glitches. If you are using the test version on your iPhone or Mac, go back to the most stable OS. If Airdrop stopped working after the update, this could be the reason.

Turn off your Mac Firewall

If you use AirDrop to send files on your Mac, but your computer can’t find it. In this case, Mac users should check their firewall settings. Users should be aware that it does not block any sharing services such as AirDrop, file sharing, screen sharing, or any other incoming connection.

• Go to System Settings.
• Select Network → Click Firewall.

•  Toggle the Firewall off.

Reset Your Devices

Most of the time, a hard reset is all you need to get rid of any bugs or problems with your device.

• Force restarting your iPhone or iPad depends on its model.
• For your Mac, go to the Apple menu → Restart.

Reset Network Settings

You can fix problems with your network and connections such as Wi-Fi and AirDrop by resetting the network settings on your device. Take special care that changing these settings will also forget the passwords saved in your device. You will have to enter passwords again.

 On your iPhone or iPad:

• Go to Settings → General. 
• Select Transfer or Reset [device] → Tap Reset

• Tap Reset Network Settings and Enter your passcode.

Sadly, Macs don’t have a dedicated button for resetting your Network Settings. 

Wrapping Up

AirDrop acting up is often just a temporary issue. Which one did the trick for you? Could you share them below? If none of the above tips didn’t help troubleshoot your AirDrop issue, it might be your best option to seek help from Apple Support.