Do not worry; I have some sure-shot fixes!
Why is my AirDrop not working?
Sometimes we accidentally change some settings that might affect AirDrop’s functionality. So, before we move on to troubleshooting, let’s check AirDrop prerequisites and rule out these problems first.
AirDrop still not working? Let’s fix it!
1. Ensure that your device is discoverable
After the basic check, it is essential to ensure that AirDrop on both sender’s and receiver’s devices is discoverable to other devices. Here’s how. On iPhone or iPad: On Mac: If you are on macOS Big Sur or later, you can use the Control Center to modify AirDrop visibility and more.
2. Restart Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
At times, simple actions like disabling and re-enabling Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth do the trick. On iPhone and iPad: Open Settings → tap Wi-Fi, toggle it off. Repeat the same steps for Bluetooth. After 30 seconds, switch on the respective options again. On Mac: Click the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons in the top menu bar and turn them off. After 30 seconds, turn them back on.
3. Turn off AirDrop restrictions
If you can’t find the AirDrop icon, chances are the app has been blocked via Screen Time. Let’s get AirDrop back and running again. On iPhone and iPad: On Mac:
4. Turn off VPN and DND
VPN affects the network settings, while DND can tweak what you receive. So, even when they are not directly related to AirDrop, the duo can hinder its proper functioning. So, disable the VPN, turn off Do Not Disturb mode, and test AirDrop. If it’s still not working, move on to the next step.
5. Restart your device
Restart has quite a reputation at iGeeksBlog; when nothing goes your way, restart your device. This is particularly helpful if I have trouble sharing files from iPhone to Mac and vice versa. To learn how to restart your iPhone, follow our guide to restart any iPhone or iPad model. For Mac, click the Apple logo at the top left and select Restart.
6. Update the software
The culprit behind your AirDrop not working could be a bug in the software. And to fix such issues, you must update to the latest version of the operating system on your iPhone and Mac. On Phone and iPad: Open Settings → General → Software Update → Download and Install, if available. On Mac: Open System Preferences → Software Update → Update Now, if available. iOS Beta issue: The chances of a bug hindering your AirDrop in a beta version are pretty high. If none of the steps work for you, consider downgrading to iOS 14.
7. Reset network settings on iPhone and iPad
A complete network reset could help you resolve the issue. However, these steps will restore all saved Wi-Fi credentials, Bluetooth devices, VPN configurations, and other network data to default. So, proceed with caution.
8. Reset Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module on Mac
When you reset the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module, it goes back to factory settings. In the process, we get rid of any file or setting that has been corrupted. Note: This method will clear all settings, and you’ll have to reconnect with Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices again. To reset the Bluetooth module To reset Wi-Fi settings: All these files will be recreated when you restart and turn on the Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi starts acting up, paste the copied files again. If all is smooth, delete the copies.
9. Change Firewall settings on Mac
If your Mac is at constant war with AirDrop, the culprit might be the macOS firewall restrictions. Usually, the setting blocks communication from unknown machines, and at times that may include AirDrop connections.
10. AirDrop problems with older Macs
Well, if you are using a Mac launched before 2012 running on macOS Mojave or earlier, open System Preferences → AirDrop → click Don’t see who you’re looking for? → Click Search for an Older Mac. Please note, if you are on macOS Catalina or later, this option is no longer available. That’s it! These were the tested solutions to fix the AirDrop issue on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. I hope one of the solutions here fixed the problem for you. If none of these fixes helped resolve the issue, it might be a hardware problem. You should contact Apple Support to get a resolution. For several people and organizations (like ours), AirDrop is one of the essential tools. We use it daily to share article screenshots, office celebration videos, and more. How often do you use it? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. Is your iPhone acting up? Here are some troubleshooting guides that might help you out:
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