airdrop does not work tutorial

AirDrop is not working – Causes & Solutions to solve

by

AirDrop is not working? Fear not! Our article will help you solve the problems.

AirDrop is an extremely useful tool for rapid sharing between Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. However, sometimes it may happen that AirDrop does not work as expected, causing frustration and wasted time.

Fortunately, you are in the right place! In this article, we will guide you through a series of solutions to fix the most common AirDrop problems so that you can get back to sharing files quickly and easily.

From basic settings to the most advanced solutions, we are here to help you overcome every obstacle and make your experience with AirDrop smoother than ever.

Five facts about Airdrop not working:

  • To work properly, Airdrop requires both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to be activated.
  • Make sure that both devices used for the Airdrop have a compatible operating system.
  • Restarting both devices used for the Airdrop can often solve connectivity problems.
  • Turning the Airdrop function off and on again on both devices can also help resolve any problems.
  • Airdrop may not work if the devices are too far apart or if there are obstacles to the signal.

Check that your device supports AirDrop

AirDrop is compatible with the following Apple devices:

  • iPhone 5 or later models
  • iPad (4th generation) or later models
  • iPad mini (1st generation) or later models
  • iPod touch (5th generation) or later models
  • MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro running OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later versions

Check AirDrop settings

If AirDrop is not working, check your settings. Prevents file transfer from failing. Get the most out of AirDrop by performing these simple steps-essential reading for those who use it!

  • Open the Control Center (on iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen; on iPhone with Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
  • Hold down the connections pane (where there are icons for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) to expand the options.
  • Tap the AirDrop icon and make sure it is not set to “Receive Off.” To allow sharing with all nearby devices, select “All.” If you prefer to limit sharing to contacts only, choose “Contacts Only.”

Turn off and restore Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Turn off and restore Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to solve the Airdrop problem! It can help you make a better connection with the recipient.

Disable personal hotspot

Are you having problems with Airdrop? It could be because your personal hotspot is turned on. Let us help you! We will show you how to disable personal hotspot so that Airdrop works smoothly. Avoid wasting time and frustration with this simple advice.

On an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Go to “Settings” (the gear icon).
  2. Select “Personal Hotspot.”
  3. Move the switch next to “Personal Hotspot” so that it turns gray.

Alternatively, you can turn off the personal hotspot from the Control Center:

  1. Open the Control Center (on iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen; on iPhone with Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen).
  2. Hold down the connections pane (where there are icons for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) to expand the options.
  3. Tap the personal hotspot icon (which looks like a chain) to turn it off. The icon will turn gray when the personal hotspot is disabled.

On a Mac:

  1. Click the system preferences icon (gear) in the taskbar.
  2. Select “Sharing.”
  3. In the left column, uncheck the box next to “Internet Sharing” to disable the personal hotspot.

Make sure your iPhone or iPad is unlocked

iPhone and iPad owners: don’t forget to check if your device is unlocked! It is critical. Before you start troubleshooting Airdrop, check for a screen lock or other security measures that are blocking you. Save time, avoid frustration.

Bring the devices closer to each other

Bring your phones, tablets and computers closer together. This should solve your Airdrop problems. Closer devices can improve performance.

Limit your Mac’s firewall

Limiting the firewall on your Mac is essential! Adjusting the settings can help Airdrop work. Then, adjust the firewall and make sure that file sharing goes smoothly.

Let’s find out how to adjust firewall settings and troubleshoot Airdrop for smooth file sharing.

  1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
  2. In System Preferences, click on the “Security and Privacy” icon.
  3. In the “Security and Privacy” window, go to the “Firewall” tab.
  4. If the firewall is disabled, enabling it could improve AirDrop’s functionality. To enable the firewall, click on the padlock in the lower left corner of the window to unlock the settings. Enter your administrator password and click on “Unlock.” Now, click on “Enable Firewall.”
  5. If the firewall is already active, you should check that the settings allow AirDrop sharing. Click on “Firewall Options” to view advanced firewall settings.
  6. In the “Firewall Options” window, make sure the following options are enabled:
    • “Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections”: this option allows signed apps to receive incoming connections, including the AirDrop app.
    • “Enable Stealth Mode” MUST be turned off: this option prevents your Mac from responding to incoming connection requests, which could affect AirDrop’s functionality.
  7. If you make changes to the settings, click “OK” to save the changes.
  8. Close the “Security and Privacy” window and try using AirDrop to see if the problems have been resolved.

Reset your device

Do a hard reset of your device! It could solve the most common technical problems.

Cleaning up the device of any temporary files or problems can often solve common technical problems. Is the Airdrop not working? Frozen screen? Do a hard reset! We will show you how to do this on different devices and when it is the best choice. Obviously based on our personal experience!

For iPhone, iPad or iPod touch:

  1. Make sure your device is not connected to a computer or power source.
  2. Follow the steps for your specific device:
    • For iPhone 8 or later models, iPad Pro 11 inches and iPad Pro 12.9 inches (3rd generation and later): Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.
    • For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press the side button and Volume Down button at the same time. Hold them down until the Apple logo appears.
    • For iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad with Home button or iPod touch (6th generation): Press the Home button and the top (or side) button at the same time. Hold them down until the Apple logo appears.
  3. Release the button when you see the Apple logo. Your device will reboot.

For Mac:

If your Mac does not respond, try restarting it normally first:

  1. Press the power button for a few seconds.
  2. Choose “Restart” in the menu that appears.

If your Mac doesn’t respond or you can’t restart it normally, try doing a hard reset:

  1. Press and hold the power button until the Mac shuts down.
  2. Wait a few seconds and then press the power button again to turn on the Mac.

After performing a hard reset on the devices, check whether AirDrop is working properly. Make sure both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and are set to be visible to other AirDrop devices

FAQs Airdrop doesn’t work

Why is my Airdrop not working?

Airdrop may not work for several reasons. You may experience this problem if you are too far away from nearby Macs or iOS devices or if the Bluetooth range is too weak. You may also have problems when trying to transfer files if Airdrop is disabled or if your device is locked.

What should I do if I don’t see Mac or iPhone?

If you can’t see any Macs, iPhones, or iPads near you, check that your device’s Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is turned on. Also, make sure your device is visible to “All” or “Contacts Only” by selecting the option from the in-app Action menu.

How can I make sure I am able to receive files using Airdrop?

In order to receive files via Airdrop, make sure your device is unlocked and its Bluetooth is turned on. You must also make sure that your device is visible to “Everyone” by selecting the option from the in-app Action menu. Also, make sure your device is within Bluetooth range of the other device you are trying to connect with.

What should I do if Airdrop does not appear on my device?

If Airdrop does not appear on your device, go to Settings > General > Restrictions and check if Airdrop is disabled. If it is, you can reactivate it. Also, make sure that both devices meet the hardware requirements for Airdrop to run smoothly.

What should I do if Airdrop is still not working?

If Airdrop still does not work, try restarting the device and checking the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. You can also try turning the AirDrop switch on and off from the Control Center. If the problem persists, consider restoring your network settings by going to Settings > General > Restore > Restore Network Settings.