By using the AirDrop feature on your Apple devices, you can easily transfer data within fractions of seconds. With this wireless technology, you can share photos, videos, and files at no size limit. However, while transferring many files, facing the “AirDrop transfer failed” issue on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is common. This error can occur due to insufficient space and software bugs on the receiving end. If you encounter this issue, don’t panic; there’s always a solution for any issues related to AirDrop.
In this article, we will walk you through the possible causes and related fixes for AirDrop transfer failure on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Causes for AirDrop Transfer Failed Issue
The general causes for AirDrop transfer failure issues are:
- Unsupported receiving devices
- Insufficient storage
- Incorrect AirDrop settings
- Outdated firmware
- Temporary bugs and glitches
- Distance between AirDrop devices
Fixes for AirDrop Transfer Failed Issue
Our experts have tested the troubleshooting methods related to AirDrop transfer failure and curated the specific fixes at your convenience.
Check the AirDrop Compatibility
The AirDrop feature is not compatible with all Apple devices. Check the AirDrop compatibility on the receiving device before AirDropping a photo, video, or file.
- iPhone: iPhone 5 or above iPhone models running on iOS 7 or later.
- iPod touch: 5th Generation or above models running on iOS 7 or newer.
- iPad: 4th Generation or later models running on iOS 7 or later.
- iPad Air, Pro & Mini: All models.
- MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac: Mac device launched in 2012 or above models running on macOS X (Yosemite) or later.
Free Up Storage on Apple Devices
If your Apple device meets the minimum requirements and still faces the AirDrop transfer failure issue, check the storage on your Apple device. The AirDrop will automatically decline if there’s insufficient storage. So, check the storage on your iPhone or iPad and free up the storage.
- Checking Storage on iPhone/iPad: Unlock your iPhone/iPad → open the Settings app → select General → click iPhone/iPad Storage → view the storage space.
- Viewing Storage on Mac
- macOS Ventura and Later: Click the Apple icon → select System Settings → General → select Storage → view the storage on your Mac.
- macOS Monterey and older: Click the Apple icon → select About this Mac → select Storage → get the storage information.
If the storage on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac reaches the limit, you can delete the unused app and files to fix the AirDrop transfer failed issue. Besides, if you have sufficient storage, skip to the next troubleshooting step.
Keep the Devices Awake
While transferring data from one iPhone to another iPhone, you must keep the screen awake until the process is complete. On the contrary, if you set the Auto-Lock feature to 30 seconds or 1 minute, the AirDrop transfer will fail. So, exceed the duration or set the Auto-Lock feature to Never to fix the AirDrop transfer failed issue.
1. Unlock your iPhone or iPad and open the Settings application.
2. Select the Display & Brightness option.
3. After that, scroll down and choose the Auto-Lock option.
4. Then, set the option to 5 Minutes or Never.
Now, you can keep your screen’s display enabled for a specific time while AirDropping a file.
Don’t Close Finder on Mac
Unlike the iPhone and iPad, you can receive the AirDrop file from the Finder app on your Mac devices like MacBook and iMac. The AirDrop transfer will fail if you choose to close the Finder window. The AirDrop files will go to the Downloads files on your Mac devices.
Disable and Enable WiFi & Bluetooth
Sometimes, enabling and disabling the AirDrop feature from the Control Center or Settings menu will resolve the AirDrop issues on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping up or down. Click the Control Center icon on your Mac to open the networks pane.
2. Then, disable the WiFi and Bluetooth options by tapping the respective icons.
3. Once disabled, wait for a few seconds.
4. After that, enable the WiFi and Bluetooth option and check if the AirDrop feature is working properly.
Change AirDrop Settings
An incorrect AirDrop settings on iPhone, iPad, and Mac will result in AirDrop transfer failure. In such cases, you can change the AirDrop settings to fix the issue.
- Change AirDrop Settings on iPhone/iPad
- From Control Center: Unlock your device → Open the Control Center → hold the Network pane → click AirDrop → change the AirDrop settings to Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- Using Settings: Open the Settings app → click General → select AirDrop → change the settings to Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- Changing AirDrop Settings on Mac: Unlock your Mac → Open the Finder app → click the AirDrop pane → select Allow Me to be Discoverable By → switch to Contacts Only or Everyone.
Keep the Devices Closer
While AirDropping a file, make sure to keep the devices close to each other. For iOS 16 and below models, the AirDrop transfer will fail if your device exceeds a maximum range of 30 feet.
Fortunately, if you’ve updated your iPhone to iOS 17, you can continue the AirDrop even if you’ve exceeded the AirDrop range. The AirDrop continues to share files via iCloud.
Disable Personal Hotspot
The transfer will fail if you’ve enabled the personnel hotspot on your iPhones. So, check if the personal hotspot is enabled on AirDrop devices.
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and choose Personal Hotspot.
3. Now, disable the Allow Others to Join option.
Note: You can also open the Control Center on your iPhone and click the Hotspot icon to disable the feature temporarily.
Disable Firewall Settings on Mac
While sharing files from your Mac, enabled Firewall settings will limit the AirDrop functionality. So, try to disable the Firewall settings to fix the Mac AirDrop not working or the file transferring issue.
1. Tap the Apple icon on your Mac and select System Preferences.
2. Click Security and Privacy.
3. After that, click the Lock icon at the bottom and unlock the access by entering your device’s passcode.
4. Select the Firewall menu.
5. Now, uncheck the option next to Block All Incoming Connections.
Restart the Device
Sometimes, the AirDrop transfer will fail due to temporary glitches and bugs in the system. In such cases, performing a simple restart will resolve the issue.
- Restart iPhone/iPad: Long press the Power button and slide to power off. After that, long press the Power button again to restart your iPhone and iPad.
- Restart Mac: Click the Apple icon at the top left on your Mac → click Restart.
After the restart, try sharing a file, photo, or video via AirDrop from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Update the Firmware
Outdated firmware can cause several issues to your Apple device, and AirDrop is not exceptional. So, update the firmware of your Apple devices and see if the issue is resolved. Updating the firmware can also resolve software issues related to bugs and glitches.
- Update iPhone/iPad: Open the Settings app → tap the General option → select Software Update → click Download and Install if an update is available.
- Update MacBook/iMac
- macOS Ventura and Later: Click the Apple icon → select System Settings → click General → tap Software Update → click Update Now.
- macOS Monterey or Earlier: Unlock your Mac → click the Apple icon → click System Preferences → select Software Update → Update Now.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting the network settings on your iPhone will resolve the issues related to Bluetooth and WiFi. If none of the methods helps you to fix the issue, you can perform a reset on network settings.
1. Launch your iPhone and open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and choose the General tab.
3. After that, click the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
4. Further, click the Reset option and hit the Reset Network Settings.
5. Enter your iPhone password and confirm the reset.
After the network reset, you can enable the WiFi and Bluetooth options and try AirDropping the file.
Contact Apple Support
Unfortunately, if you still face the Airdrop transfer failed error after performing all the troubleshooting techniques, then try contacting the Apple support centre for aid. The experts will guide you through the possible methods to fix the AirDrop-related issue on your Apple device.
Try AirDrop Alternatives
If you are tired of performing the troubleshooting techniques, you can also use AirDrop alternatives to share your files without AirDrop. After installing the app on your iPhone or Android, you can easily transfer photos, videos, to other files.
AIRDROP ALTERNATIVE | IOS APP | ANDROID APP | PRICING |
---|---|---|---|
Send Anywhere | Get from App Store | Get from Play Store | Free + Premium ($4.99) |
SHAREit | Get from App Store | Get from Play Store | Free + Premium ($5.99) |
Xender | Get from App Store | Get from Play Store | Free |
FAQ
AirDrop will fails to transfer larger files if there’s insufficient storage on your device. Remove the unused apps to fix the issue while transferring larger files.
There are no size limits for AirDrop to transfer files between Apple devices.