How To Fix an Airdrop Not Working

If you use Airdrop regularly, you may have experienced problems with the file sharing service not working properly. Fortunately, there are a number of fixes that can get Airdrop up and running again.

In this article, we’ll share a few tips and tricks to overcome the problem across the most popular devices. Follow our suggestions to quickly resolve your file sharing issues.

Airdrop Not Working on Mac

There are a few things you can do if you’re unable to use Airdrop on your Mac. Firstly, check your device compatibility. Airdrop will only work if both the sending and receiving devices are from 2012 or later and are running OS X or later versions. Models before 2012 are not Airdrop compatible.

Secondly, both devices must be Airdrop compatible. If you’re attempting to airdrop from a Mac to an iPhone, the iPhone must be an iPhone 5 or later model. The phone must also be running iOS 7 or a later version

Thirdly, make sure that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on Here’s how to ensure that’s the case:

1. Open your “Finder” and click on “Airdrop.”
   
2. Next, click “Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
   
3. Check if Airdrop is selected for everyone.
   

Airdrop has different options for sharing files. You can either share with “Contacts Only” or with “Everyone.” Try changing this setting to “Everyone,” even if you’re trying to share with someone listed as a contact. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open your “Finder” and click on “Airdrop.”
   
2. Next, select “Allow me to be discovered by” and be sure to select “Everyone.”
   

Next, be sure you aren’t in DND (Do Not Disturb) mode. You won’t be able to transfer files from a Mac to other devices if they’re in DND mode. On iPhone or iPad, ensure that DND isn’t selected.

Likewise, check your Mac firewall settings. If your firewall is set to “on,” this will block the transfer of files using Airdrop. Confirming this is relatively easy. Follow these steps:

1. Simply click the Mac Apple icon in the upper left-hand corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
   
2. On this screen, click “Security & Privacy” and then “Firewall Options.”
   
3. Check to make sure that “Block all incoming connections” is not selected.
   

Airdrop Not Working on an iPhone 13

Even with a new iPhone 13, you may experience occasional problems transferring files with Airdrop. The fix is usually quite easy and only takes a few steps. Firstly, be sure to check your Airdrop settings.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Go to “Settings,” then “General” and then “Airdrop.”
   
2. Make sure to select “Everyone.
   
3. Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings.

If the problem persists, you may have to perform a hard reset. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Using the volume up button, tap and quickly release, and then do the same for the volume down button.
2. Next, tap and hold the “sleep/wake” button on the bottom of the phone while holding the “on/off” button on the side of the phone.
3. Once your phone shuts down, turn it back on by pressing the “on/off” button.

If you’re running an old version of Bluetooth, a simple update could be the answer to your problem with sharing files using Airdrop.

1. Go to “Settings,” “General,” then “Software Update.”
   
2. If there’s an update available, tap “Install Now.”
   

Airdrop Not Working on an iPhone 12

If you experience problems sharing files with Airdrop using an iPhone 12, they’re typically easy to resolve and don’t take much time.

Before you do anything else, check your Airdrop settings.

1. Go to “Settings,” “General,” and then “Airdrop.”
   
2. Make sure to select “Everyone.”
   

Sometimes all you need to do is toggle both settings to off and to on again. To do so, from your home screen simply swipe up and tap both the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons a few times, ensuring that they are both highlighted indicating that they are set to “on.”

If the above solutions don’t deliver the desired result, you may have to perform a hard reset. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Using the volume up button, tap and quickly release, and then do the same for the volume down button.
   
2. Next, tap and hold the “on/off” button on the side of the phone.
   
3. Once your phone shuts down and is powered off, turn it back on by pressing the “on/off” button.

If you’re running an old version of Bluetooth, a simple update could solve your file sharing problem on Airdrop. To update your current version of Bluetooth, follow these steps:

1. Go to “Settings,” “General,” and then “Software Update.”
   
2. If there’s an update available, tap “Install Now.”
   

Airdrop Not Working on an iPad

If Airdrop isn’t working on your iPad, the issue could be due to an outdated iOS. To check for recent updates, simply follow these steps:

1. Go to “Settings,” “General,” and then “Software Update.”
   
2. If there’s an update available, tap on “Install Now.”
   

If your iPad is all up to date, toggling your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings off and on are all you need to do to get Airdrop to share a file.

1. Go to your home screen, scroll up, and tap on your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons.
   
2. Check that they’re both indeed highlighted and set to “on.”
   

If this doesn’t get Airdrop working again, you should check your settings.

1. Go to “Settings,” “General,” and then “Airdrop.”
   
2. Make sure to select “Everyone.”
   

These steps will ensure that you can send and receive Airdrop files from anyone, not just people listed as a contact.

If none of the methods outlined above work, you may have to force restart to your iPad.

To do so, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the on/off button.
2. When the “power off slider” appears, slide it to the off position.
3. Restart your iPad.

Additional FAQ

Can I use Airdrop to transfer a file from an iPhone to an Android device?

No. You can’t send a file from an iPhone to an Android device.

Straightforward Solutions to Fixing Issues With Airdrop

Not being able to use Airdrop to share files quickly with others can be frustrating. But these issues are merely a minor annoyance and can be fixed relatively easily. Often a quick check of your settings or perhaps a simple reboot is all it takes to get Airdrop working again.

Have you had any issues with sharing files on Airdrop? If so, did you use the methods outlined in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.