Troubleshooting AirDrop: Why is it not working and how to fix it?

AirDrop is one of those features that you didn’t know you wanted until you actually tried it. It’s a wireless protocol designed by Apple that allows any Apple device user to seamlessly transfer files between nearby devices. The process is quick and easy, and works regardless of whether you’re using a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, and is independent of the wireless network you’re on. Think of it as something like Bluetooth file sharing on steroids!

Normally, you shouldn’t have any issues using AirDrop between devices. However, on the rare occasion that things do stop working, here are some tips to help sort things out.

Check your settings

AirDrop is on by default, but it’s possible that your settings were accidentally modified to disable AirDrop. Confirm that AirDrop is on by opening the Control Panel on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, and checking if the AirDrop icon is enabled (the icon will be blue). Also ensure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled as both protocols are needed for AirDrop to work properly.

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Secondly, if AirDrop, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are enabled, make sure AirDrop is set to ‘Contacts Only’ or ‘Everyone for 10 Minutes’. You can check this by looking at the text under the AirDrop icon. You can toggle the status by pressing and holding the AirDrop icon to adjust.

‘Contacts Only’ will only allow saved contacts with Apple devices to send files to you. ‘Everyone for 10 Minutes’ will, as the name indicates, allow anyone to send files to you via AirDrop. We’d recommend leaving this disabled in public spaces.

Try restarting your devices

One of the quickest fixes for any issue, including AirDrop issues, is to restart your devices.

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This is a surprisingly effective solution for sorting out a majority of issues that you’re facing on any electronic device, and a recommended go-to when you can’t figure out what’s wrong.

Disable your VPN and hotspot

Any app that modifies your network, such as a VPN, can inadvertently affect AirDrop performance. We’d recommend turning off your VPN service as well as a Personal Hotspot if enabled and trying AirDrop again.

Check for Updates

Another oft-overlooked option is system updates. Sometimes, Apple might issue a security update or patch that affects wireless networking, including Airdrop. Check your Apple device for a software update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update, and by making sure that there is no pending update. It’s also a good idea to enable ‘Automatic Updates’ on the same page if it is disabled.

Have you run out of storage?

Since AirDrop is used for transferring files, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough storage space on your device to receive the said file. You might also face issues if the file you’re trying to share via AirDrop is backed up to iCloud and your device is unable to download it to your device to share it. Clear up space by deleting unused apps and files and try again.

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If these five tips don’t work, you can always hit up Apple Support by clicking on this link and explaining your issue and steps you took to troubleshoot the problem. Apple Support is usually very helpful in this regard. You could also have a hardware failure and might be required to take the device for servicing.