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This tip is about the how to Fix ‘Airdrop is Not Working’ Issue. So read this free guide, How to Fix ‘Airdrop is Not Working’ Issue step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us.
How to Fix ‘Airdrop is Not Working’ Issue – Guide
With AirDrop, you can wirelessly transfer almost anything from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to any other current Apple device. It uses Bluetooth 4.x for energy-efficient streaming and discovery and point-to-point WiFi for fast streaming. Transferring files to your various Apple devices is part of what makes using the best iPhone, iPad, or Mac so easy. The whole process is not just easy; it’s incredibly safe… when it works. That’s true, while we praised how stable and awesome Apple’s latest software is in our review of iOS 14, any software can sometimes malfunction.
If you are having problems with AirDrop, there are a few steps you can take to fix the behavior of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac so you can transfer files again without any problems. Here are some steps you can try to solve many problems with AirDrop when it doesn’t work the way you want.
Problems solution Tips for when AirDrop is not working
There are many problems you may encounter when AirDrop is not working. You may find that your devices are not showing up up in AirDrop’s share window, you can’t send files to devices that appear, or you can’t find certain files after someone else has sent them to you. We can’t say exactly why AirDrop isn’t working on your Mac or iPhone. But we can show you how to fix any AirDrop issue with troubleshooting tips below.
Update operating system
Apple frequently releases new updates for iOS, iPadOS and macOS that are designed to fix software bugs. If AirDrop is not working, please install the latest updates for your devices as they may fix it.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On a Mac, open the Apple menu and go to System Preferences > Software Update.
Restart both devices
This is a classic troubleshooting tip because it’s so effective. Restarting your iPhone, iPad, or Mac may be all you need to get AirDrop working again. And it only takes a moment to try.
Disable AirDrop restrictions
If AirDrop is not showing up on your iOS device, you may have it locked in Content and Privacy Restrictions, which you’ll find under Settings > Screen Time. Take a look at the Allowed apps section and make sure AirDrop is enabled. You may need to enter a screen-time password to make changes.
Disable personal hotspot on your iPhone
AirDrop and Personal Hotspot use your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, so you can’t use them at the same time. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot on your iOS device to turn it off feature and try using AirDrop again.
Disable Do Not Disturb mode
Your device may not receive AirDrop transfer requests because Do Not Disturb mode is turned on. Open the Control Center and tap the moon icon to turn it off on your iPhone or iPad. On a Mac, click the Notification Center icon in the upper-right corner of the menu bar and scroll down to reveal a Do Not Disturb button.
Restart Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices
A particularly useful solution if AirDrop is not working is to turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on. Using your iPhone or iPad, open Control Center again and tap the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons to turn them off and on.
On a Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi off to turn it off, then turn it back on. Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth to reset Bluetooth.
Change AirDrop Visibility Settings
AirDrop offers three visibility options: All, Contacts Only, or Incoming Disabled. If your device is not showing up in AirDrop, try switching to each of these options to fix it. Just beware of NSFW AirDrop attempts if you leave it at All.
On a Mac, open the Finder and select AirDrop in the sidebar. Open the dropdown menu where it says Allow me to be discovered by to choose a different option. On an iPhone or iPad, open the Control Center and tap and hold the top left section to reveal an AirDrop button. Use this to choose different options.
Use AirDrop from a third-party Apple device
This isn’t an option for everyone, but if you have a spare Apple device, you should try using it to connect via AirDrop. Usually if your iPhone or Mac shows up on this new device, it also suddenly appears on the original device.
Submit a single file instead of several
AirDrop allows you to share many different types of files at the same time. But if AirDrop isn’t working on your iPhone or Mac, you might want to simplify things by sending a single file at a time.
AirDrop files automatically open in a relevant app. For example, images open in the Photos app. But multiple file types don’t always open in the same app, which may explain why the AirDrop transfer failed.
Check the downloads folder for missing files
If AirDrop has sent a file to your device but you can’t find it, take a look at the Downloads folder. On an iPhone, open the Files app and look for the Downloads folder in iCloud Drive. On a Mac, you can usually find the Downloads folder next to Trash in the Dock.
Turn off VPN for AirDrop to work
Some users found that AirDrop didn’t work until they turned off the VPN on their iPhone or Mac. You might need to do this in the VPN app or device settings.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > VPN to do this. And on a Mac, go to System Preferences > Network and select your VPN from the sidebar.
Open your Mac’s Firewall for more connections
The firewall on your Mac can be configured to block all incoming connections, which usually includes new AirDrop transfers. You will need to release these restrictions from System Preferences if AirDrop is still not working.
Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall. Click on the lock and enter your admin password to unlock the changes. Then open the Firewall Options window and uncheck the Block all incoming connections option.
Log in to your Apple ID account again
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings> [Your Name] > Exit. Choose the data to keep on your device and confirm that you want to Exit. After you sign out, go back to Settings to sign in with your Apple ID again.
On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Apple ID > Overview to exit. Once again, choose the data to keep on your device and confirm that you want to exit. When the logout is complete, go to the same page and try using AirDrop again.
Reset network settings on your iPhone
You can reset network settings on an iPhone or iPad to fix all kinds of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth issues, including issues with AirDrop not working. When you reset these settings, your device forgets all the Wi-Fi passwords you’ve saved, so you’ll have to reconnect to trusted networks again.
If you still want to proceed, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings. Fortunately, AirDrop starts working again after reboot.
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