Whenever you are struggling to send your large files, AirDrop becomes your savior to get it done. With AirDrop, you can easily share your files between Apple devices. But the process doesn’t go as well as you imagine. Sometimes, AirDrop fails to work without any particular reason. If you are facing any issues while airdropping your files, do not worry, as you have landed at the right place. We will help you to fix your AirDrop not working in simple steps.
Through this article, you will learn the specific and common causes and their troubleshooting ways to rectify your AirDrop not working on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Possible Causes for AirDrop Not Working
The following are some common reasons for your AirDrop not working properly on your iOS/iPadOS/Mac device.
CAUSES | QUICK FIXES |
---|---|
Apple device may be incompatible. | Check the AirDrop compatibility. |
Bluetooth or WiFi is turned off. | Enable WiFi and Bluetooth. |
The distance between the two devices is long. | Ensure your devices are closer to each other. |
Because of signal interference. | Clear the objects that cause interference. |
Wrong AirDrop settings. | Change the AirDrop visibility. |
Outdated device firmware. | Update your device to the newer version. |
Troubleshooting Ways to Fix AirDrop Not Working
We have listed the 14 effective ways to fix the AirDrop issues on your Apple device to help you out. Identify the root cause and follow the steps accordingly to get it done.
Check for Device Compatibility
This is the primary thing you must check before opting for AirDrop. This feature is compatible with iPhone 5 or later, iPad 4 or later, iPad mini, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPod touch 5th Gen, and Mac models released in 2012 and later. If your device is not listed here, you must know that your Apple device doesn’t have the AirDrop feature.
Enable Bluetooth and WiFi
If AirDrop is not finding anyone, it is a must to enable the WiFi and Bluetooth option to proceed further. You can turn on these networks from the Control Center or the Settings menu on your Apple device. If the networks have already been turned on, disable and enable the AirDrop once again to fix the network issues.
For iPhone
- Enable Bluetooth & WiFi from Control Center: Pull down the Control Center → Navigate to the Network Pane → Enable WiFi & Bluetooth separately.
- Turning On Bluetooth & WiFi from Settings: Open the Settings app → Enable WiFi & enable Bluetooth.
For Mac
1. Head to the Control Center on the top right corner of your MacBook.
2. Turn on Bluetooth and WiFi.
Check the AirDrop Settings
After enabling Bluetooth and WiFi, you must turn on AirDrop to start sharing your files. If you are an iPhone user, go to the Settings menu on your device to change the AirDrop settings. After selecting AirDrop, it will show you three options: Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone for 10 Minutes. If you find the AirDrop Contacts Only option not working even though you have their contact info, then try detecting the device by enabling the Everyone option.
Besides, you must turn on AirDrop using the Finder app if you are a Mac user.
1. Open Finder Window on MacBook.
2. Select the AirDrop option on the sidebar.
3. Click on Allow me to be discovered by: option and then choose the Everyone option.
NOTE: You can also disable the AirDrop feature on your Apple device and turn it on again to fix certain issues.
Turn Off AirDrop Restrictions
If your iPhone or iPad is not showing up when you tap the AirDrop icon, you might have blocked it in your privacy settings. Follow the below prompts to enable AirDrop from restrictions.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Now, tap Screen Time. If Screen Time is not enabled, make sure to turn it on.
3. Then, enable Content & Privacy Restrictions and select Allowed Apps.
4. Toggle on the switch for AirDrop.
Bring the Devices Closer
Keeping your devices closer is essential to airdrop your files. This is because AirDrop works only within a range of 30 feet (9 meters). If you have kept your devices by exceeding the range, then airdrop will not identify your device. You must bring the devices closer to share your files to rectify this issue.
Keep Your Device Unlocked
Even though you have enabled the AirDrop settings properly, keeping your Apple devices awake during AirDrop is necessary. When the device is in sleep mode or locked, it will not be displayed in search results. So, you need to ensure both devices are unlocked with their display on throughout the airdropping process.
Force Quit the Application
When you have opened too many applications on your Apple device, it may slow down the airdropping process. So close the recent tabs and try sharing the files again. You can follow the procedure on Apple devices like iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, MacBook Pro, and other models.
- Force Quit on iPhone/iPad: double-tap the Home button and swipe up the app to perform force quit. For full-screen models, long swipe from the bottom and clear the app.
- Force Quit on Mac: Click on the Apple menu and select the Force Quit option. Then choose the app you use for sharing the files, and hit Force Quit.
This will fix the minor bugs that prohibit you from airdropping the files.
Disable the Personal Hotspot
If you have enabled the Personal Hotspot on either of your devices, then you might face signal interference. This is because when the Hotspot is turned on, it will automatically connect with other devices. This will cause lagging issues, so you need to disable it to fix the technical glitches.
- Disable Hotspot from Control Center: Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad → Press and hold the Network Pane → Disable Hotspot.
- Disable Hotspot from Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad → Click Personal Hotspot → Allow Others to Join → Turn Off.
Disable the Do Not Disturb Mode
This is another crisis maker that prevents you from airdropping the files. This will block your way through AirDrop, so it is important to disable it on your Apple device. Launch the Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and locate the Do Not Disturb mode (Moon icon). If it is enabled, tap on the option to turn it off and try transferring the files again via AirDrop.
Check your Mac Storage
AirDrop transfer automatically fails or gets stuck waiting if your device has no storage. So check if your device has enough space for the file before AirDropping from your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or iMac.
1. Head to the Apple menu.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Click General on the sidebar.
4. Tap on the Storage option.
5. Review the items and delete unwanted files to free up storage.
Keep Your iPhone or iPad Unlocked
This method may look simple, but it also plays a vital role. When your iPhone is locked or powered off, it won’t appear in others’ AirDrop search results. So you must ensure your iPhone is unlocked and your display is On to appear on AirDrop.
Reset the Network Settings
If AirDrop still malfunctions while sharing the files, then try resetting the network settings. This will fix the network-related issues and ensure you a smooth sharing process.
- Reset Network Settings on iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings → Select General → Click Reset → Reset Network Settings to reset it.
- Reset Network Settings on Mac: Navigate to the Apple menu → System Preferences → Network → Choose your Wi-Fi name → Click the Minus icon→ Apply → reconnect your network.
Thus, resetting the network settings will help you get back to your airdropping process.
Update your Device
AirDrop may struggle to share the files if your device is running on outdated software. So it is very essential to update your device with the latest software version to ensure a smooth performance.
- Update iPhone/iPad: Unlock your device and go to Settings → General → Software Update to update your device to the latest version.
- Update MacBook/iMac: Click the Apple menu → System Settings → General → Software Update to update it on a Mac device.
Check the Screen Time
The process of transferring large files will take some time. During the transferring process, make sure your Mac screen is awake. Otherwise, the transfer will be interrupted. You can prevent this from happening by changing the Auto-Lock option.
1. Head to the Apple menu on the desktop on your Mac.
2. Select System Preference.
3. Click on the Battery option.
4. On the Turn off Display After change the option to Never.
After turning this setting off, check if the AirDrop works without issues.
Limit the Firewall Settings on Mac
AirDrop will not appear on Mac if your firewall restricts the incoming connections. By adjusting the Firewall settings on your iMac or MacBook, you can get back on track to share the files.
1. Click the Apple menu located on the Menu bar.
2. Select the System Preferences option.
3. Choose Security & Privacy and enter the necessary credentials to unlock it.
4. Hit the Firewall Options and uncheck Block all incoming connections.
5. Finally, click OK to confirm the changes and check whether you can airdrop the files.
Restart Your Apple Device
When you are facing issues with your AirDrop, restarting the device can also fix the errors. All you need to do is simply turn off both Apple devices and wait for a few minutes. After 3 to 4 minutes, turn on the device and follow the airdropping procedure to share your files across devices.
- Restart iPhone/iPad: Unlock your device and press the Power button for a few seconds. Then, slide the Power icon from left to right to power off the device. After a few minutes, press the Power button for few seconds to restart the device.
- Restart Mac: Open your Mac → Click the Apple icon → Restart.
Reset your Apple Device
Performing a hard reset on an Apple device will resolve a lot of issues. When we reset an Apple device to factory settings, all the data will be deleted. So it is necessary to back up everything before going through this process. You can consider resettings your device as a last resort.
- Reset iPhone/iPad: Open the Settings app→ Tap General → Reset → Click Erase All Content and Settings.
- Reset Mac: Click the Apple menu → System Settings → Choose General → Reset → Hit Erase All Content and Settings to factory reset your Mac.
Contact Apple Support
If your AirDrop still didn’t work out even after trying all the above fixes, then contacting the Apple support team should be your last option. There might be an issue from the hardware side. So you need to visit the nearest Apple store or their official website to rectify your AirDrop issue.
FAQ
AirDrop might not work if any technical error occurs on your device. So, check your AirDrop settings and try restarting your iOS device to fix AirDrop not working.
Set your discoverability settings properly and try re-pairing the devices again to become visible on AirDrop.
Make sure you have enabled AirDrop on both devices and bring them closer to airdrop your files.
AirDrop may fail if you don’t have enough space while sharing large files. So, free up the space on your Apple device while sharing large files.
Yes, you can AirDrop without WiFi on your Apple devices. Just enable the Bluetooth and the respective AirDrop settings to initiate AirDrop.
While AirDropping via Contacts Only, save the receiver’s contact on your devices to fix the issue.