AirDrop not working? Here’s how to fix it

AirDrop is super convenient: quickly send photos, videos, contacts or documents between iPhone, iPad and Mac, no cables or messaging apps needed. But what if it suddenly stops working? Don’t panic. In this guide, you’ll find clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how to systematically fix AirDrop issues, from a quick 2-minute check to more advanced settings on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. You’ll also get practical everyday tips to keep your wireless transfers running smoothly.

So, within just a few minutes, you’ll know where the problem lies and how to stabilize your AirDrop connection, without unnecessary frustration.

04.11.2025 | Reading time: 5 minutes

Requirements and compatibility: Is your setup right?

Before diving into the details, quickly check that the basics are in place. AirDrop only works on Apple devices and requires specific system versions as well as active wireless connections.

• Device and system requirements (short overview): iPhone 5 or later with iOS 7 or newer, iPad models starting from iPad 4/iPad mini/iPad Air (depending on generation) with iPadOS, and Mac models from around 2012 with OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or later. If you’re using an older device, verify exact support in the system settings.
  
  
• Always active: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices.
  
  
• Distance: stay within a range of about 10 meters (ideally closer). Thick walls, shelves or other signal sources can cause interference.
  
  
• Device state: both devices must be unlocked and have their displays active. AirDrop may respond slowly or not at all if your Mac or iPhone is in sleep mode or running in the background.
  
  

Tip: since iOS 16.2, there’s a setting called “10 minutes for everyone”. It makes your device temporarily visible to everyone nearby and then automatically switches back to “Contacts only”.

Quick check in 2 minutes

If you want fast results, follow this order:

1. Briefly turn airplane mode on and off on both the sending and receiving devices.
   Alternatively, toggle Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and on in the Control Center to clear temporary connection issues.
   
   
2. iPhone/iPad: go to Settings > General > AirDrop and activate “10 minutes for everyone.”
   On Mac: open Finder > AirDrop and select “I’m discoverable by: Everyone.”
   This ensures your receiving settings don’t block the transfer.
   
   
3. Disable “Personal Hotspot” on your iPhone. The hotspot reserves the Wi-Fi interface and slows down AirDrop.
   
   
4. Bring the devices closer together (under 1 metre), unlock both, and keep them awake.
   Check if a Focus/Do Not Disturb mode is active and temporarily turn it off.
   
   
5. If necessary, restart both devices. A reboot often resolves stubborn network issues.
   
   
   

iPhone and iPad: common causes and solutions

1) Set receive and visibility settings correctly

• Open the Control Center, press and hold the connection block (airplane mode/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) and select the AirDrop icon. Make sure that receiving is enabled.
  
  
• Settings > General > AirDrop: for testing, select “10 minutes for everyone.” Afterwards, iOS automatically switches back – this is intentional.
  
  
• If “Contacts only” is active, you must be saved in the other person’s address book with your Apple ID email or phone number. Otherwise, the devices won’t see each other. For spontaneous transfers, “10 minutes for everyone” is the simplest option.
  
  
  

2) NameDrop as a quick check

Since iOS 17, there’s a feature called NameDrop: hold the top parts (camera side) of two iPhones together and confirm the share. If NameDrop works smoothly, the AirDrop connection is usually fine too – NameDrop uses similar mechanisms. For photos or videos from your library, it can also serve as a quick alternative.

3) Properly reinitialize network and wireless connections

• Briefly turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and on, or toggle airplane mode on and off.
  
  
• Make sure Personal Hotspot is turned off, hotspot and AirDrop interfere with each other.
  
  
• For persistent issues: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Afterwards, you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks, but this step often fixes many AirDrop problems.
  
  
  

4) Software and device status

• Check for iOS/iPadOS updates: Settings > General > Software Update. Apple often fixes AirDrop bugs through updates.
  
  
• Restart your device. This clears caches, ends stuck processes and helps in many cases.
  
  
  

5) Focus/Do Not Disturb, power and lock state

• Temporarily disable all Focus modes. On Mac it’s called Do Not Disturb, and on iOS it’s also under Focus.
  
  
• Keep the screen active and the device unlocked. Locked devices often don’t respond reliably when receiving files.
  
  
  

6) iCloud and contacts (with “Contacts only”)

• If you’re not saved in the other person’s contacts, “Contacts only” won’t work. Either have yourself added as a contact temporarily or switch to “10 minutes for everyone.”
  
  
• An iCloud login isn’t required for the “Everyone” setting, but it helps with device recognition when using “Contacts only.”
  
  
  

Mac: causes and solutions

1) Check visibility in Finder

• Open Finder > AirDrop in the sidebar. At the bottom, you’ll see “I’m discoverable by.”
  Choose “Everyone” for testing or “Contacts only” if you want to stay private.
  
  
• If a message appears saying AirDrop is unavailable, check whether Internet sharing or tethering is active – these can block the connection interface.
  
  
  

2) Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, restart, updates

• Briefly turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and on.
  
  
• Restart your Mac.
  
  
• Install the latest system update (System Settings > General > Software Update).
  Bug fixes often resolve AirDrop issues.
  
  
  

3) Firewall settings

• Go to System Settings > Network & Security/Security > Firewall Options and make sure “Block all incoming connections” is not enabled.
  
  
• Temporarily disable a strict firewall for testing. After a successful transfer, turn it back on.
  
  
  

4) Disable internet sharing/hotspot

• If your Mac is sharing its Wi-Fi connection, AirDrop is often unavailable.
  Go to System Settings > Sharing > Internet Sharing and turn it off.
  
  
  

5) Sleep mode and Do Not Disturb

• During a transfer, your Mac should stay awake.
  Adjust the energy settings so it doesn’t go to sleep after a short time.
  
  
• Temporarily disable Focus/Do Not Disturb mode.
  
  
  

6) Interference and networks

• Temporarily disconnect other active Bluetooth devices if there are conflicts (for example, multiple headsets connected).
  
  
• Whenever possible, use a stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi or a modern network. Older 2.4 GHz environments are more prone to interference.
  
  
  

Watch out for interference sources

Apple specifies a range of about nine to ten meters. In practice, the rule is simple: the closer, the better. Thick walls, large shelves or multiple wireless devices in the room can weaken the connection quality. Microwaves, baby monitors, and several active Bluetooth accessories at once can also cause interference. Place the devices next to each other, ideally with a clear line of sight and fewer interference sources, that’s often all it takes.

Where files end up: formats and storage location

AirDrop doesn’t have an official file size limit, but very large files can take longer to transfer. If the process seems to hang, patience is often all that’s needed. If the transfer fails, check the available storage on the target device, as insufficient space can prevent the transfer from completing.

It often looks like the transfer failed, but the file has simply ended up somewhere unexpected.
On Mac, you’ll find AirDrop files in the Downloads folder, sort by date or press the spacebar for a quick preview. On iPhone and iPad, the system saves files in the most suitable app: photos and videos in the Photos app, documents in Files or the corresponding iWork app.
If the right app is missing, iOS suggests available options.

For music or DRM-protected content, some items aren’t copied directly. Instead, a link (for example, to Apple Music or iTunes) may be sent.
This is normal and not an AirDrop configuration error.

When it only works in one direction

It can happen that you can receive but not send, or the other way around. Follow these steps:

• Restart both devices and briefly turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and on again.
  
  
• Check visibility and receiving settings on both sides (“10 minutes for everyone” on iPhone/iPad or “Everyone” on Mac).
  
  
• Install the latest updates on both systems.
  
  
• Disable Personal Hotspot and check the firewall settings on your Mac.
  
  
  

Special cases and commonly overlooked causes

• Devices are locked: unlock both and keep the screens active.
• Request declined: an accidental tap on “Decline” cancels the transfer. Simply resend it.
• Too far apart: even though Bluetooth theoretically works up to ~10 meters, a bookshelf can already be too much. Bring the devices closer.
• Old devices or outdated networks: on very old Macs or iOS versions, AirDrop may be limited. If possible, update your software. If not, consider alternatives like cable, iCloud Drive, or shared albums.

FAQ: Common questions when AirDrop isn’t working

Why isn’t AirDrop working on my iPhone or iPad?

It’s usually due to a disabled wireless connection or incorrect receive settings. Make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on, airplane mode is off, and AirDrop is set to “10 minutes for everyone.” A restart often helps as well.

Why can’t I see the other device in AirDrop?

AirDrop only shows devices that are visible and nearby (within about 10 meters). Check in the settings that your device is unlocked and that visibility is set to “Everyone” or “10 minutes for everyone.”

Why can I send files but not receive them – or the other way around?

This can be due to different receiving settings. Enable AirDrop on both devices for “Everyone”, disable the hotspot and the firewall (temporarily on Mac), and restart both devices.

Why does the AirDrop transfer stop midway?

This often happens with large files, a weak signal, or when one of the devices goes into sleep mode. Keep the screens active, stay within range, and check the available storage space on the target device.

Where can I find the files received via AirDrop?

• Mac: in the Downloads folder.
• iPhone/iPad: automatically in the relevant app (for example, Photos, Files, or Pages).
  Sometimes it looks as if the transfer failed, but the file is simply saved in a different app.

What should I do if AirDrop doesn’t work on older devices?

Older models or system versions (before iOS 7 / OS X 10.10) only support AirDrop partially or not at all. Check for possible updates, or use alternatives like iCloud Drive, shared albums, or a USB cable.