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How to fix AirDrop not working error

AirDrop is supposed to make it easy to transfer data from one Apple device to another. It does so by using WiFi and Bluetooth to create an encrypted communication channel. But unfortunately, AirDrop is not always perfect and works as expected.

If you've ever wondered why AirDrop isn't working on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the following article may help you. Below, you'll find everything you can do to fix AirDrop errors on Apple devices.

How to fix AirDrop not working error

1. Change AirDrop display settings

AirDrop gives you 3 display options: Everyone, Contacts Only or Receiving Off. If your device doesn't show up in AirDrop, try going through these options one by one to fix it.

On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center, then press and hold the top left to reveal the AirDrop button and choose another option. On your Mac, open Control Center and click AirDrop from the top left. In the pop-up window, select Everyone or Contacts Only.

AirDrop receives options displayed in Control Center on iPhone
AirDrop receives options displayed in Control Center on iPhone

2. Prepare both devices to receive AirDrop requests

Sometimes it's helpful to prepare your device for an upcoming AirDrop transfer, making it more likely to show up on other people's devices. Unlock your iPhone or iPad and leave it on the home screen to prepare. For Mac, open a new Finder window and select Go > AirDrop from the menu bar.

Prepare your device to receive AirDrop requests
Prepare your device to receive AirDrop requests

3. Turn off AirDrop limits

If AirDrop isn't showing up at all, you may have blocked it in the section Content & Privacy Restrictions. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps.

Content and privacy restrictions show AirDrop as an allowed app
Content and privacy restrictions show AirDrop as an allowed app

On a Mac, go to System Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy > App Restrictions.

Turn off AirDrop limits on Mac
Turn off AirDrop limits on Mac

Make sure AirDrop is enabled for each device. You may need to enter your Screen Time passcode to make these changes.

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4. Activate AirDrop via mobile network

The range of AirDrop (Bluetooth) is about 30 feet (9m), so if you move beyond that distance, AirDrop will no longer work. But if you've updated your device to iOS/iPadOS 17.1 (or later), you can enable a setting to allow AirDrop file transfers to continue even when you're out of range.

On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and turn on Use Cellular Data to ensure transmission takes place over LTE or 5G.

Enable AirDrop via mobile network
Enable AirDrop via mobile network

5. Enable sharing by bringing devices close together

This specific fix is ​​specific to NameDrop, a feature Apple introduced with iOS 17. You can use NameDrop to share contact information by placing the top edges of two iPhones close to each other.

If NameDrop doesn't work, check that your device has the right settings. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and turn on Bringing Devices Together if you haven't done it yet.

Note that NameDrop only allows you to share new contact information. You cannot update existing contacts using NameDrop.

6. Turn off Do Not Disturb

Your device may not receive a transfer request from AirDrop because Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is enabled. Open Control Center and tap the moon or Focus icon to turn off this feature on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Control Center on Mac
Control Center on Mac

7. Restart WiFi and Bluetooth on both devices

A particularly useful solution if AirDrop isn't working is to turn WiFi and Bluetooth off and back on. Open Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and tap the WiFi and Bluetooth icons to turn them off, then select them again to turn them back on.

8. Use AirDrop from a third 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. Typically, if your iPhone, iPad, or Mac shows up on this new device, it also suddenly appears on the original device.

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Multiple devices in AirDrop sharesheet
Multiple devices in AirDrop sharesheet

9. Send one file instead of multiple files

AirDrop allows you to share many types of files at the same time. But if AirDrop doesn't work, you may want to simplify matters by sending one file at a time.

AirDrop files automatically open in a relevant application. For example, the image opens in the Photos app. However, multiple file types do not always open in the same application, which may explain why AirDrop transfers fail.

10. Check the Downloads folder to find missing files

If AirDrop sent a file to your device but you can't find it, look in the folder Downloads. On iPhone, open the Files app and find the folder Downloads in iCloud Drive or visit On My iPhone. On a Mac, you can usually find the folder Downloads by opening a new Finder window and pressing Option + Cmd + L. You can also find this folder next to Trash in your Dock.

Check the Downloads folder to find missing files
Check the Downloads folder to find missing files

11. Turn off VPN for AirDrop to work

Some users have found that AirDrop doesn't work until they turn off VPN on their iPhone or Mac. You may need to do this in the VPN app or in your device settings.

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > VPN to do this. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Network > VPN.

12. Open your Mac's firewall for more connections

Your Mac's firewall can be set to block all incoming connections, which typically include new AirDrop transfers. You will need to loosen these restrictions from your system settings if AirDrop still doesn't work.

Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall. Click the toggle to turn off the firewall, you may need to enter your admin password to do this.

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Open your Mac's firewall
Open your Mac's firewall

13. Sign back into your Apple ID account

Come one after another Settings or System Settings on your iPhone or Mac, then select [Tên của bạn] at the top Settings and choose Sign Out. Choose what data to keep on your device, then confirm you want to sign out. It doesn't matter if you keep the data on your device because you plan to sign in to the same account again.

After signing out, return to Settings to sign back into your Apple ID.

14. Update the operating system

Apple regularly releases new updates for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, designed to fix software bugs. If AirDrop isn't working, install the latest updates for your device to fix it.

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On your Mac, open the menu apple () and go ahead System Settings > General > Software Update.

Check for iOS software updates in iPhone Settings
Check for iOS software updates in iPhone Settings

15. 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 it.

You can reset network settings on your iPhone or iPad to fix all kinds of WiFi or Bluetooth problems, including AirDrop not working problems. When you reset these settings, your device will forget any WiFi passwords you have saved, so you will have to reconnect to trusted networks.

If you still want to continue, go ahead Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings. Enter your passcode, then confirm you want to reset network settings.

Reset network settings on iPhone
Reset network settings on iPhone

Hope this article is useful to you!

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