AirDrop can stop working in a few different ways. Another iPhone, iPad or Mac may not appear, a transfer can remain stuck on “Waiting,” or the file may start sending and then fail.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop visibility and Personal Hotspot settings can all affect AirDrop. Start with those settings before moving on to the more advanced fixes.
1. Check AirDrop Is Supported
AirDrop works between supported iPhone, iPad and Mac models. If you are trying to send a file between older devices, check whether they meet the AirDrop requirements.
- Older iOS devices: iPhones released before the iPhone 5, iPads before the 4th generation, and iPod touch models below the 5th generation running iOS 6 or earlier do not support AirDrop.
- Older Mac computers: Macs introduced before 2012, as well as the 2012 Mac Pro, do not support AirDrop when running software older than OS X Yosemite.
If you are using an older Mac, the type of AirDrop transfer also matters. Some older Macs support AirDrop between Macs but cannot use it to transfer files with an iPhone or iPad.
For an iPhone-to-Mac transfer, make sure both devices are running compatible software. If AirDrop stopped working after an update, check for another available software update.
2. Turn On Wi-Fi And Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth both need to be enabled for AirDrop. Bluetooth helps nearby devices discover each other, while Wi-Fi handles the file transfer.
On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center and make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on. On Mac, open Control Center and check both connections there.
The devices do not need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Check Who Can Receive AirDrop
AirDrop has a receiving setting that controls which devices can send files to you. If it is set to Receiving Off, your device will not accept AirDrop transfers.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap AirDrop.
- Check the selected receiving option.
If you use Contacts Only, make sure the sender is saved in your contacts and that the relevant contact information matches.
On Mac, open Control Center, select AirDrop and check the receiving setting.
4. Set AirDrop To Everyone For 10 Minutes
If your device is not showing up in the AirDrop list, temporarily change the receiving setting to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap AirDrop.
- Select Everyone for 10 Minutes.
Try the transfer again. If the other device appears after changing this setting, AirDrop visibility was likely preventing the transfer.
5. Turn Off Personal Hotspot
Personal Hotspot can interfere with AirDrop. Turn it off on the iPhone involved in the transfer and try AirDrop again.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Personal Hotspot.
- Turn off Allow Others to Join.
- Try the AirDrop transfer again.
You can turn Personal Hotspot back on after the transfer.
6. Keep Both Devices Nearby
AirDrop is intended for nearby devices. If the iPhone, iPad or Mac is farther away, move the devices closer together.
Keep both devices in the same room during the transfer. If they are already close together, continue with the next fix.
7. Unlock The Receiving Device
The receiving iPhone, iPad or Mac should be awake and unlocked when you send the file.
If AirDrop is stuck on “Waiting,” wake and unlock the receiving device, then send the file again. Check that AirDrop receiving is also enabled.
8. Turn Wi-Fi And Bluetooth Off And Back On
If both devices are nearby but AirDrop still cannot find the other device, turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and back on.
On iPhone or iPad, use Control Center or Settings to disable both connections. Wait a few seconds, then enable them again.
On Mac, use Control Center to switch Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and back on. Then send the file again.
9. Restart Both Devices
Restart the sending and receiving devices if AirDrop is still not discovering nearby devices or a transfer remains stuck.
After they turn back on, make sure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirDrop are enabled before sending the file again.
10. Check For A Software Update
An available iOS, iPadOS or macOS update may include a fix for an AirDrop problem.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Install an available update.
On Mac, open System Settings > General > Software Update and install an available update.
If the problem started after a recent update, installing a newer release may also resolve it.
11. Reset Network Settings
If AirDrop still does not work, resetting network settings is a more advanced option.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm.
This removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords along with other network-related settings. You will need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward.
AirDrop Is Still Not Working?
The problem usually falls into one of a few categories.
If AirDrop is not showing another device, check Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the receiving setting first. Setting AirDrop to Everyone for 10 Minutes can also help when Contacts Only is preventing a device from appearing.
If AirDrop is stuck on “Waiting,” unlock the receiving device, keep both devices nearby and restart Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
If the device appears but the transfer fails, restart both devices and send the file again. You can also try sending a smaller file to check whether the problem is limited to a particular file.
For iPhone-to-Mac transfers, check AirDrop settings on both devices. If AirDrop works in one direction but not the other, start with the receiving device.
