How to fix AirDrop not working on Mac, iPhone and iPad?

With AirDrop, you can easily transfer files between Mac, iPhone and iPad. It uses multiple technologies to transfer files securely. AirDrop uses Bluetooth to find devices, and the sending device establishes a secure WiFi network connection to send and receive files. This is because it is the fastest, reliable and safe to use. In this article, I will show you how to fix AirDrop not working issue on Mac, iPhone and iPad? continue reading!

What is an airdrop?

AirDrop is a method for sending files or transferring data locally between two devices. This feature was introduced on Mac in 2008. However, later in 2013, it was expanded to iOS7 devices.

#The two devices are initially connected via Bluetooth, and if the file is large, Wi-Fi is used. If you are using a device with older hardware, even if the feature itself works well, you may have issues using it.

One of the most common issues reported by users is visibility issues. Sometimes, even after multiple attempts, the recipient doesn't show up, which is why Apple is introducing a new U1 chip for iPhone 11 that features the latest ultra-wideband technology. In this way, the discoverability of the device will be improved and the issue of AirDrop not working properly will be solved.

Why is AirDrop not working?

Before using AirDrop, you usually need to consider several aspects on Mac operating system. Consider these prerequisites. These factors ensure that AirDrop runs smoothly on your Mac and keeps you safe.

• # Make sure your device is running iOS 7/Mac or X lion (10.7) or higher.
• Before turning on AirDrop on your Mac, make sure Bluetooth and WiFi are both enabled.
• To ensure transmission security, the optimal distance between two devices should be within 30 feet.

There are several reasons why this feature may not work properly. Before we start troubleshooting, make sure you check the following requirements of AirDrop given below.

What devices are compatible with AirDrop?

• Late 2008 MacBook Pro, excluding late 2008 17-inch MacBook Pro
• Late 2010 MacBook Air
• Late 2008 MacBook, excluding late 2008 white MacBook
• Early 2015 MacBook with 12-inch Retina display
• Mid-2010 Mac mini
• Early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card Mac Pro
• Mid-2010 Mac Pro
• Early 2009 Mac

It should also be noted that any model newer than the above model should work. The above devices may cause AirDrop to fail to resolve Mac issues.

AirDrop compatible iOS devices:

• Running iOS 7 or later
• Has a Lightning port

Despite broad compatibility, the older your device is, the more likely you are to encounter AirDrop issues.

"AirDrop not working" Initial fixes for the issue

• Make sureFly Mode is off. Because when it is enabled, it turns off all radios. These are the basic steps to fix AirDrop not working issue.

• You should make sure to disable the "Do Not Disturb" mode. Whenever DND is enabled, all notifications will be silenced. We know that when we transfer files via AirDrop, we receive alerts. If Do Not Disturb is enabled, we will not receive this alert.
• On the device, open Settings→Do Not Disturb→Off switch.

• It is also recommended toturn off the personal hotspot since both hotspots and AirDrop use WiFi. If both are enabled and one is running, it prevents the others from running.
• Open settings in i OS →Personal Hotspot, and then turn off the switch next to it.
• AirDrop on Mac uses Bluetooth technology. Make sure to place the device within 30 feet. Sometimes, opaque objects can get in the way. Therefore, bring the devices closer to each other to speed up Bluetooth reception.
• Also, don’t send multiple file types at once, such as images, documents, and web links. Instead, send files of the same type all at once.

How to fix “AirDrop not working” issue on Mac?

If the above solutions don’t work, try launching the following solutions to fix AirDrop not working on Mac.

Restart your Mac

Sometimes simplicity is the most effective way to solve AirDrop problems. If you are performing a certain task, this may not be acceptable.

Set your Mac's visibility to Everyone

If you don't set your Mac's visibility to "Everyone," AirDrop may not work working normally. To fix this issue, you need to set your Mac's visibility to Everyone. You can adjust it by following these steps:

• Open Finder and enter AirDrop.

• Click the arrow next to Allow me to be discovered at the bottom of the screen and select## from the drop-down menu #everyone.

If you selected the "
• Contacts only" option, please ensure the contact details of the other party should appear in your Contacts app.

Sometimes, the
• Contacts only option does not work properly even though all required details are present. Make sure both parties should be present in each other's Contacts app.
Manually disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Sometimes either your Bluetooth or Wi-Fi behaves strangely or is not enabled correctly . In this case, turn it

off

and turn it on again. Just click on the relevant icon in the menu bar in the upper right corner of the screen. After turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, turn them on again and check for errors. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network

The main requirement for AirDrop to transfer files is not to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, that's Apple's instructions. However, many users report that the results are much better when the devices share the network. So, try connecting both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and try transferring files again.

Disable Do Not Disturb

If you have "Do Not Disturb"

mode enabled, it may interfere with AirDrop as it will Your Mac is not visible to other devices. To disable it, follow these steps:

Open

Notification Center.

##Click the Today

tab, scroll up, and

turn off Do Not Disturb "
• .

Turn on AirDrop in Finder

According to Apple, if your Mac is running OS X Mavericks or earlier, you need to turn on

Finder

and click

AirDrop

in the sidebar to transfer files. In later versions of macOS, you don't need to use this method. However, you'll get the best results if you open the AirDrop window before starting the file transfer.

Use Terminal Command to Restart Bluetooth

If this doesn't work, you can use Terminal Command to restart your Mac's Bluetooth service. This can solve visibility and transmission issues.

• Open a new Terminal window and type the following command and press Enter.

sudo pkill blued

• Enter your admin password or use Touch ID and press Enter.

• The Bluetooth service will immediately restart and delete any other Bluetooth connections you have open.

Disable "Block all incoming connections"

Using macOS's own firewall may block incoming connections. To resolve AirDrop transfer failure issues, you need to disable this setting. To do this, follow these steps:

• Go to System Preferences.

• Navigate to Security and Privacy.

• ##Click the Firewall tab and set the firewall to Off .

To do this, click the
• Lock and enter your admin passwordOr use Touch ID.

Click
• Firewall Options.

• will open a new window and uncheck the box next to Block all incoming connections (if checked). Click the OK button to save the changes and then check for errors.

Note: This solution will not help you if the box is unchecked.

Reset Network Settings

First,
• Launch System Preferences and click Network.

Now click on
• WiFi in the list and then click on Advanced.

• Select the network you want to forget and click (-) to delete it.

Finally, now reconnect to the
• WiFi network on your Mac.

Change the device name

In most cases, don’t use special characters and spaces in your Mac name. For example, #, (, %, etc. If you have used such characters, you need to rename your device. This may help solve the problem of AirDrop not working on Mac.

Open
• System Preferences.

Go to
• Sharing options.

Click the
• computer name and click Edit to change it.

• After changing the name, Restart your Mac and try to connect to AirDrop. This works on Macs that have special character issues.

Update macOS

This problem is more likely to occur if your Mac is running an outdated version of macOS, as you may already know. If you want to minimize software issues, you should keep your device up to date.

AirDrop is annoying and if you are trying to send files or data to a brand new iPhone 11, then you may encounter this problem.

• Before proceeding with the update, it is recommended to back up your Mac using Time Machine and then go to System Preferences.

• Also, go to Software Update.

• Now Install all available updates.

• Alternatively, if you are running an outdated version of macOS, open the App Store and search for macOS, then download and install it.

How to fix “AirDrop not working” issue on iOS?

Try launching the following solutions to fix AirDrop not working on iOS

Allow everyone to send files

• Open on iOSFinder and Click GoMenu and select AirDrop.
• A new window will open, click the drop-down arrow next to Allow me to discover, then select "Everyone" .

Turn off and turn on Wifi and Bluetooth services

• OpenSettings → WiFi/Bluetooth and turn off WiFi/Bluetooth.

• Finally, restart your device and turn on WiFi and Bluetooth. Most of the time this solution will fix the problem, otherwise try the following solutions.

Reset Network Settings

Disconnect your device from the WiFi network and try to reconnect. To do this,

• Open Settings and click on the WiFi option, then click on the last symbol.
• Now click on the option Forget this network and press Confirm.

#If this does not resolve the issue, please reset the network.

• Initially, launch Settings on iOS→General→ #Reset option.
Click
• Reset Network Settings and confirm.

Don’t use special characters

Avoid using special characters and spaces in your iPhone name as much as possible. For example, #, (, %, etc. This may resolve the issue of AirDrop not working on iPhone.

Open
• Settings and navigate to General.
Click
• About.

##Select the

name
• and click Edit . Finally, after changing the device name,
Restart the
• device and check if the problem is resolved.

Update Software

If the problem persists, please do a software update. Apple's operating system always fixes bugs through updates. So, it is better to update for this AirDrop issue.

• Open Settings on iOS
• Click General →Software Update

• ##Download the software and install it into the device.

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