AirDrop not working – Troubleshooting

AirDrop not sending data? These tips will help!

AirDrop is one of the most convenient features on Apple devices – files, photos, or links can be transferred lightning fast between iPhones, iPads, and Macs. But what if AirDrop suddenly stops working or won’t send your data? With the following tips, you can usually solve the problem quickly.

1. Check if AirDrop is enabled

Sometimes it’s just a small setting:

• iPhone / iPad: Open Control Center → Press and hold the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth panel → Tap AirDrop → Choose “Everyone” or “Contacts Only.”

• Mac: Open Finder → “AirDrop” in the sidebar → At the bottom, select who can see you (“Contacts Only” or “Everyone”). Tip: Temporarily select “Everyone” to rule out connection issues (you can change it back later).

2. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

AirDrop only works when both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled.
Turning them off and on again can help fix minor connection issues:

• iPhone/iPad: Control Center → turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and back on.

• Mac: Menu bar → Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons → briefly disable and re-enable.

3. Keep devices nearby

AirDrop only works when the devices are in close proximity (ideally within 10 meters) and not in Personal Hotspot mode.

4. Check AirDrop settings for contacts

If AirDrop is set to “Contacts Only,” the following conditions must be met:

• Both devices are signed in with Apple IDs.

• The Apple ID email or phone number is saved in the contact.

• iCloud is enabled.

If all of this is too complicated: Just try setting it to “Everyone” as a test.

5. Do Not Disturb / Screen Off

AirDrop does not work if:

• The display of an iPhone is turned off.

• The "Do Not Disturb" mode or Focus mode is enabled.

So: Activate the device and turn off “Do Not Disturb” in Control Center.

6. Restart devices

The classic: A simple restart can work wonders – just turn your iPhone and Mac off and on again.

7. Perform software update

Make sure both devices have the latest iOS or macOS version installed. Apple regularly fixes AirDrop issues with updates.

• iOS/iPadOS: Settings → General → Software Update

• macOS: System Settings → General → Software Update

8. Reset as a last resort

If nothing else works:

• Reset network settings (iPhone):
  Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings

• Note: Wi-Fi passwords will be lost in the process!

Conclusion

AirDrop issues can usually be resolved with a few simple steps. Often, it’s enough to check the correct settings or restart the devices. If that doesn’t work, sometimes resetting the network settings or updating the software helps.