AirDrop is designed to quickly transfer files between Apple devices that fall within a specific range. When you encounter AirDrop only working one way, it becomes tough to share files from your Apple device to another nearby Apple device or vice versa. Just like any other technology, AirDrop is prone to these issues and requires effective troubleshooting methods to make the problem disappear. If you are an Apple user looking for ways to fix it, this article will provide methods to solve the issue and help the AirDrop technology work both ways.
Analyze the possible causes of AirDrop only working one way to figure out a suitable fix for the problem at hand. Once you try out our solutions, you can solve AirDrop’s single-direction communication issue and seamlessly AirDrop photos, videos, and other files to Apple users around you.
Why is AirDrop Only Working One Way
You should understand the reasons why AirDrop only works one way to opt for the right troubleshooting method. Before you dive into the fixes, know the possible causes of the problem at hand so that it consumes less time to solve the problem and avoid this issue in the future. Find below the causes of the AirDrop only working one-way issue.
CAUSES | FIXES |
---|---|
Device not compatible | Check if your Apple device is compatible with AirDrop. |
Basic settings are disabled or misconfigured | Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled. Change the AirDrop settings to Contact Only or Everyone for 10 minutes. Disable Firewall on the Mac |
Outdated system firmware on the Apple device | Update the Apple device |
Minor software glitches and bugs | Restart the Apple device Reset the Apple device |
Troubleshooting AirDrop Working Only One Way
Once you learn the causes, you should consider the troubleshooting measures one by one to solve the problem before you go for technical assistance.
Check If the Devices Are Compatible
Apple released the AirDrop technology on macOS starting in 2011 and on iOS in 2013. So, it is essential to check the Apple device’s compatibility before you proceed with AirDropping files from your Apple device to another. Be aware that AirDrop will not work with incompatible devices. If you wish to share files between one Apple device and another nearby Apple device, your device should fall under the following device list.
- iPhones, iPads, or iPod Touch running on iOS 7 or later.
- Macs running on OS X 10.7 and greater.
Note: If you want to confirm your Mac’s compatibility, tap the Finder icon on the Mac menu bar and hit Go. The AirDrop option should appear on the Finder, ensuring the device works with AirDrop.
Make Sure the Basic Settings Are Enabled
Apple customizes the discovery settings of AirDrop to let Apple users transfer files securely via AirDrop. Only when the necessary conditions are met you will be able AirDrop files across Apple devices. First of all, verify whether you have turned on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. When the settings are previously enabled, turn off these settings and try turning them on again after a few seconds.
Next to that, check if you have enabled AirDrop on your iPhone and Mac so the transfer can happen smoothly. To inspect the AirDrop settings on the iPhone or iPad, use the steps below
1. Get your iPhone or iPad and open the Settings app.
2. Go to the General Settings and choose the AirDrop settings.
3. Select either Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes to make your device discoverable for AirDropping files.
Note: When you don’t use AirDrop, you can change the above settings to Receiving Off. It will maintain your privacy while consuming less battery.
You can check the basic AirDrop settings on Mac using the following steps.
1. Unlock your MacBook and go to the Finder app.
2. Head to the Finder sidebar and select AirDrop.
3. On the next screen, tap Allow Me to be Discovered and choose Everyone.
Note: When you AirDrop files from an iPhone to another Apple device or vice versa, check and confirm that the Personal Hotspot is turned off on the iPhone.
Restart your Apple Device
Most of the time, you can fix minor bugs or system glitches through a simple reboot on the devices. When AirDrop fails to work both ways, you should try restarting the Apple devices. Here’s how you can restart various models of iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
- Restart iPhone
- Models with Face ID: Press and hold the power button and volume button → Drag the slider to turn off the iPhone → wait for 30 seconds → Press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo.
- Models with Touch ID: Press and hold the power button → Drag the slider → Wait for 30 seconds → Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.
- Restart iPad
- Models with Face ID or Touch ID: Press the volume up button once → Press the volume down button once → Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.
- Models with Home Button: Press and hold the home button and power button at the same time → Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo.
- Restart Mac: Tap the Apple menu at the upper left corner of the Mac screen and choose Restart.
Once the restart process is complete, the AirDrop should start working on both devices. If you are still facing the same issue with AirDrop, you can update try updating your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Update the Apple Device
Running your iPhone, iPad, or Mac on an outdated operating system can cause AirDrop to work in a single direction. To rectify this error, install software updates on the Apple devices to AirDrop file to a nearby Apple device and vice versa. Use the following instructions to update iPhones and Macs.
- iPhone & iPad: Move to Settings → General → Software Update and click Download & Install if available.
- Mac: Tap the Apple icon → Choose System Preferences → Software Update → Update Now if there are new updates.
The Apple devices will restart once the update is over. Try using the AirDrop feature on the devices. If the updates have fixed it, the AirDrop will work both ways. Otherwise, it is better to consider other troubleshooting measures.
Disable Firewall on Mac
Sometimes, the Firewall on the MacBook may restrict all the incoming connections. The Firewall will interfere with the functioning of AirDrop. If you can AirDrop from MacBook to iPhone but not from iPhone to MacBook, you can associate the problem with configuring Firewall on Mac. You can turn off the Firewall on the Mac to allow the incoming connections for AirDrop.
1. Unlock your MacBook and tap the Apple icon in the Mac menu bar.
2. From the list of options, choose System Preferences followed by Security & Privacy.
3. Now, tap on Firewall. If the preference pane is locked, unlock it using the admin name and password or Touch ID.
4. Finally, click on Turn Off Firewall to disable the Firewall and solve the AirDrop-only working one-way problem.
Note: To turn off the Firewall on Macs running on macOS Ventura 13 or later, select the Apple menu → System Settings → Network → Firewall and disable Firewall.
If you want, you can adjust the Firewall settings to let the feature allow every incoming connection for AirDrop. To do so, turn on Firewall and enable ‘Automatically allow built-in software to receive incoming connections.’ At the same time, uncheck the box next to ‘Block all incoming connections.’
Moreover, turn off the VPN service on your Apple device and check if AirDrop works normally.
Reset the Apple Device
If AirDrop continues to work only one way, doing a factory reset on the Apple device can deal with the problem and deliver the expected outcome. If you do not want to lose data, create a backup of your data on an Apple device before starting with the reset procedure. After having a backup, use the below steps to factory reset your iPhone.
1. Open Settings and choose General Settings.
2. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone followed by Reset.
3. Finally, tap the Erase All Content and Settings option.
Going for this option will remove all of the content on the iPhone and return iPhone settings to their defaults. It will make your iPhone start fresh without any trouble. Use the following instructions to reset your MacBook.
1. Tap the Apple menu in the corner of your Mac screen.
2. Select System Settings and choose the General.
3. Tap Transfer or Reset and click on Erase All Content and Settings.
After a reset, the AirDrop function should work both ways for transferring files.
Contact Apple
Apple provides reliable customer service for its users. If you still can’t fix the issue even after trying out the fixes, you should seek technical assistance. You can contact Apple Customer Support and receive proper guidance on how to deal with this problem effectively.
Alternative Way to Transfer Files
If you prefer AirDrop for wireless data transfer between iPhones, you can consider an alternative option called FoneTool. The file transfer app works for iPhones and iPads. You can use the FoneTool app to share photos, videos, music, contacts, and other file formats from an iPhone with another iPhone. Establishing the connection is simple, as it can be done within a few steps. After sending the files via AirDrop, you can inspect the status of your transfer from the Transfer List.
FAQ
If someone can AirDrop to you but you can’t AirDrop to them, it could be due to an out-of-date iOS or macOS version, software glitches, WIFI or Bluetooth disabled, or minor bugs.
You may face issues with AirDropping anything to an Apple user when the person is not within the Bluetooth and WIFI range. Make sure you have enabled the basic settings like Bluetooth, WIFI, and AirDrop on both of the Apple devices. If not, turn on the settings to fix the problem.