For people who regularly send files or photos via AirDrop. Sometimes there may be a problem that cannot send files or there is no AirDrop icon to choose from. Let’s take a look at the causes and solutions.
Reasons why AirDrop is not working
- The device that wants to receive files via AirDrop is not unlocked, so let’s first check if the recipient’s device has been unlocked or not, if not, complete the unlocking process.
- When we turn on Personal Hotspot, Wi-Fi and AirDrop connections will not work, so hotspot sharing must be turned off.
- Older devices do not support the AirDrop feature, including iPhone 5, iPod touch 5th generation, iPad 4th generation, iPad mini, and devices below iOS 7.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are not enabled on the device. Make sure the sending and receiving device Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
AirDrop feature not working on iPhone, iPad and Mac, what are the steps to fix it?
1. Make sure your device has AirDrop enabled.
First, let’s check that the sending and receiving device has AirDrop enabled so that both devices can find each other by having AirDrop turned on as Contacts only. or everyone for 10 minutes
On iPhone, iPad go to Control Center > tap and hold Connections section > tap and hold AirDrop > if we have a recipient as a contact then tap Contacts Only. Or if it’s not a contact, tap Everyone for 10 minutes.
On your Mac, go to Finder > select AirDrop from the side menu > select Everyone.
2. Restart Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
We can restart Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to reset the initial connection. This is an easy way that might fix the problem.
On iPhone, iPad go to Settings > Wi-Fi > turn Wi-Fi off and then back on again.
As for Bluetooth, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Turn off Bluetooth and confirm it is off. Then turn Bluetooth on again.
On your Mac, go to Control Center > turn Wi-Fi & Bluetooth off, then turn them back on.
3. Disable AirDrop Restrictions
If we do not see the AirDrop icon in the sharing section at all It’s possible that the AirDrop feature may be blocked by enabling Screen Time that we previously set up. We can turn off AirDrop usage restrictions as follows.
On iPhone, iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Select Allowed Apps > Turn on AirDrop.
On Mac go to System Settings > left menu select Screen Time > click Content & Privacy.
Select App Restrictions.
Enable Allow AirDrop.
4. Disable VPN
Although enabling a VPN is not directly related to AirDrop usage, VPNs sometimes affect network settings. Causing AirDrop to not work, it is recommended that if we are already using a VPN and cannot use AirDrop, then disable the VPN first and try AirDrop.
5. Disable Do Not Disturb mode
Do Not Disturb mode may pass AirDrop usage, similar to a VPN that may not directly affect AirDrop usage, but if AirDrop cannot be used, try turning off Do Not Disturb mode disturb first
On iPhone, iPad Go to Control Center > Tap Turn off Do Not Disturb mode.
On your Mac, go to Control Center > click Turn off Do Not Disturb.
6. Restart the device.
Restarting the device may fix issues with AirDrop, especially when we are unable to send files between iPhone, iPad and Mac. You can simply restart the device.
- iPhone 8 or earlier: Press the side button. (On some models, it’s the top button) until the power off slider appears. Then slide the bar to turn off the device. Then press and hold the side or top button until the Apple logo appears to restart your device.
- For iPhone X and later: Press and hold the side button and the volume button. (Volume up or down) either button Hold until the power off slider appears. Then slide the bar to turn off the device. Then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears to restart your device.
On a Mac, click the Apple icon in the top left corner > click Restart.
7. Update the software to the latest version.
Sometimes the reason why AirDrop is not working can be due to a software bug. So when a new version of iOS, iPadOS or macOS is released, let us immediately update it to the latest version.
8. Reset network settings on iPhone, iPad.
Resetting network settings may resolve the issue. This will help restore Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN settings, and other network information to their defaults. (After the reset we will need to reconnect all Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices)
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Transfer or Reset.
Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings. then stand reset gene
9. Reset Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Mac
Resetting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Mac is similar to resetting iPhone, iPad in that it restores network data to default. And after resetting it will clear all network settings. We will need to reconnect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.
To reset Bluetooth, open Spotlight Search by pressing Command + Spacebar, search for Terminal and type the command sudo pkill bluetoothd > then enter your device password. and then restart the machine
Reset Wi-Fi, go to the Finder app > hit Command+Shift+G and enter /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/ > then select the files listed below. then copy and keep for safety and then delete that file. Then restart your device.
- com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
- com.apple.network.eapolclient.configuration.plist
- com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
- NetworkInterfaces.plist
- preferences.plist
10. Change Firewall settings on Mac
Sometimes the cause of AirDrop not working is the firewall limitation of macOS, which usually when we enable the firewall, the device will block connections to unknown machines. This may include connections via AirDrop as well, so let’s set the firewall off before sending data via AirDrop.
Go to System Settings > left menu select Network > select Firewall.
Turn off Firewall
Things to note
For Mac users earlier than 2012 and using macOS Mojave or earlier versions of macOS, go to System Preferences > AirDrop > click Don’t see who you’re looking for? > click Search for an Older Mac.
And here’s how to fix AirDrop not working on iPhone, iPad and Mac can follow step by step. Then check if you can send data via AirDrop or not. Let’s try it.
Source iGeeksBlog.