AirDrop Not Working on iPhone or Mac? 12 Fixes That Actually Work

AirDrop is the fastest way to send photos, videos and files between Apple devices, without internet and without losing quality. When it stops working, it is usually one of a dozen settings. This guide goes through them in the order that solves the most cases.

How AirDrop works (and why it fails)

AirDrop uses Bluetooth to find nearby devices and a direct Wi-Fi connection to transfer the files. Both must be on, the devices must be within about 9 metres, and the receiving device must accept AirDrop from you. If any one of these conditions is missing, the device does not appear or the transfer fails.

1. Check the receiving device's AirDrop setting

On iPhone: Settings > General > AirDrop. Three options:

• Receiving Off: nobody can send anything.
• Contacts Only: only people in your contacts, and the sender's Apple Account email or phone number must be in the receiver's contact card.
• Everyone for 10 Minutes: anyone nearby, for 10 minutes. This is the best choice to test.

On Mac: open Finder > AirDrop and set "Allow me to be discovered by" to Everyone.

2. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices

Open Control Center and check both icons are blue. You do not need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network, but Wi-Fi must be on.

3. Turn off Personal Hotspot

AirDrop cannot work while the iPhone shares its connection. Turn off Settings > Personal Hotspot > Allow Others to Join on both devices during the transfer.

4. Unlock and wake the receiving device

A locked iPhone with the screen off often does not appear. Unlock it and keep the screen on.

5. Bring the devices closer

Stay within a few metres, without walls between you. With iOS 17 and later, you can also bring two iPhones top to top to start NameDrop or a transfer.

6. Turn off Focus / Do Not Disturb

Some Focus modes block AirDrop notifications. Turn off Focus in Control Center during the transfer.

7. Check Screen Time restrictions

Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps: AirDrop must be on. See reset a Screen Time passcode if needed.

8. Restart Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, then the devices

Turn Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds, then off. If AirDrop still fails, restart both devices.

9. Mac: check the firewall

System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options: "Block all incoming connections" must be off, otherwise the Mac cannot receive AirDrop.

10. Sign out and back in to iCloud (Contacts Only problems)

If AirDrop works with "Everyone" but not with "Contacts Only", the problem is the contact card. Add the sender's Apple Account email or phone number to their contact card, or sign out of iCloud and back in.

11. Reset Network Settings

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Wi-Fi passwords are erased, not your data. Related: Bluetooth problems and Wi-Fi problems.

12. Update iOS and macOS

AirDrop between very different versions can fail. Update both devices: iOS 27.0.1, macOS 27. Known bugs: iOS 27 problems and fixes.

AirDrop over the internet

Since iOS 17.1, an AirDrop transfer that has started can continue over the internet if you move away, as long as both people are signed in to iCloud and the option Use Cellular Data is on in Settings > General > AirDrop.

Alternatives when AirDrop is not possible

• To an Android phone: share an iCloud link (Photos > Share > Copy iCloud Link) or use Quick Share where supported.
• To a Windows PC: the Apple Devices app or iCloud for Windows.

Official reference: Apple Support (iPhone).