Fixing AirDrop issues will make sharing easy once again

AirDropnot working on your iOS or Mac gadget?

Luckily, getting AirDrop working properly doesn’t have to be a hair-pulling event.

How to Fix it When AirDrop is malfunctioning

see if you are discoverable on AirDrop.

AirDrop has a few tweaks that control if others can see your iOS or Mac gear.

These configs can block devices from appearing, or only allow some individuals to be able to see you.

test whether Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled.

verify if all AirDrop Devices are awake.

On iOS devices, AirDrop requires the display to be active.

On the Mac, the computer must not be asleep, though the display can be dimmed.

peek if Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb are enabled.

you’re able to verify and change the Airplane mode by selectingSettings>Airplane Mode.

Do Not Disturb in iOS devices and on the Mac can prevent AirDrop from working correctly.

In both cases, Do Not Disturb disables notifications from being delivered.

This not only prevents you from seeing any AirDrop request, but it makes your gear undiscoverable as well.

it’s possible for you to also use AirDrop over wired ethernet.

This can allow many earlier Macs (2012 and older) to be members of the AirDrop community.

These configs can block devices from appearing or allow only some individuals to see you.

You may not be discoverable if your AirDrop parameters are set to Off or Contacts only.

AirDrop relies on bothBluetoothto detect devices within 30 feet and Wi-Fi to perform the actual data transfer.

If either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is not turned on AirDrop will not function.

Perhaps the most common issue with using AirDrop is a equipment failing to appear because it is asleep.

Another common error that causes AirDrop problems is forgetting that your machine is in Airplane Mode orDo Not Disturb.

FAQ

If the AirDrop problem seems to be with your Mac, first tryrestarting your Mac.

you might’t use AirDrop when yourpersonal hotspotis connected.

Go toSettings>Personal Hotspotand toggle off the feature.

Then, try AirDrop again.

The problem may be that youriOS equipment needs an update.

Go toSettings>General>Software Updateand install an update if one is available.