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Are you finding it difficult to use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad or Mac? Well, I got the best solution to help you fix AirDrop not working on iPhones, iPad and Mac.
With other Apple devices that are nearby, you may share and receive photographs, documents, and more using the Apple featured app “AirDrop”.
It’s common practice to send images by email or text when you wish to share them with someone. While many adults utilize AirDrop for one-on-one file sharing, teenagers have long loved AirDrop for mass image sharing.
Not simply for photos, AirDrop is. It can be used to transmit nearly anything that can be shared. A website can also be AirDropped to a friend’s phone so they can read it later from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Let’s get started
Reason Why my AirDrop is Not Working?
Here are the reasons why your AirDrop is not working before we show you how to fix your AirDrop instantly.
- Hotspot Turned on: When Personal Hotspot is activated, both AirDrop and Wi-Fi are switched off.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is off: Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices are turned on and within range.
- Device not compatible with AirDrop: We have iPhones, iPad and Mac that do not support AirDrop like; iPhone 5, iPod touch 5th generation, iPad 4th generation, iPad mini, and later running iOS 7. For Mac, the AirDrop capability is available on all Macs released in 2012 or later running OS X Yosemite or later.
- Unlock the receiver’s device: The device needs to be awake for AirDrop to work perfectly.
How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on iPhone, iPad Or Mac
If your AirDrop is still not working after fixing all this, then try fixing any of these listed below.
Update the OS Software
AirDrop not working could be a result of not having the latest OS version installed, you need to consider upgrading your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
On iPhone and iPad: Open Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install, if available.
On Mac: Open System Preferences > Software Update > Update Now, if available.
IOS Beta Issue: AirDrop not working could also be a result of the IOS Beta version still having some bugs which are likely to affect AirDrop not working, the best advice is to downgrade to the previous OS.
Reset Network Settings
You might be able to fix the problem by doing a full network reset. All saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth gadgets, VPN setups, and other network data will be reset to default by following these procedures, though. Therefore, exercise caution.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter the device passcode and confirm.
Restart your device
Restarting your device should be your first option when you encounter issues like this, restarting your iPhone, iPad or Mac will help put your phone in the correct order and your AirDrop should start working.
Turn off AirDrop Permission
If the AirDrop icon is missing, there’s a good probability Screen Time has blocked the app. Let’s restart AirDrop so it can function once more.
On iPhone and iPad:
- Launch Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap Allowed Apps and enter your Screen Time Password.
- Toggle on AirDrop.
On Mac:
- Click the Apple logo and select System Preferences.
- Select Screen Time and then Content & Privacy from the sidebar.
- Go to the Apps tab and check the box next to AirDrop; enter Screen Time Password to confirm.
Turn off VPN and DND
While DND can alter when a sender sends the file to your device, VPN can change the network settings. The two can therefore prevent AirDrop from operating properly even though they are not directly related to it.
Ensure AirDrop is Turned on
It’s important to ensure the AirDrop button is turned on, It is crucial to make sure that AirDrop is discoverable by other devices on both the sender’s and the receiver’s devices.
On Mac:
- Open Finder.
- From the top of the left sidebar, click AirDrop.
- Click ‘Allow me to be discovered by:‘ and choose Everyone.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Bring up Control Center and long-press the four-icon platter; it will expand.
- Now, tap AirDrop and choose Everyone.
Reset Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Module on Mac
You can use a pair of modifier keys to access hidden options when you click the Bluetooth menu in macOS to resolve connection and pairing issues with your wireless Bluetooth accessories, including speakers, keyboards, mouse, trackpads, and other peripherals.
Reset Bluetooth Module on Mac:
- System Preferences can be accessed by clicking the Apple menu.
- In the System Preferences icon, select Bluetooth.
- The Show Bluetooth in Menu Bar checkbox should be selected.
- While pressing the Shift and Option keys at the same time, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
- Select the hidden menu item labelled Reset the Bluetooth module. Select Debug > Reset the Bluetooth module on macOS Catalina and before.
- To confirm the action, click OK.
- Start your Mac again.
Reset Wi-Fi Module on Mac:
- Turn off Wi-Fi and open Finder
- Hit command+shift+G and enter /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/.
- Select following files from the listing
- com.apple.airport.preferences.plist
- com.apple.network.identification.plist or com.apple.network.eapolclient/configuration.plist
- com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist
- NetworkInterfaces.plist
- preferences.plist
- Make a copy of them for safekeeping.
- Delete the files and restart the Mac.
The solutions listed above should help you solve AirDrop not working on iPhone, iPad and Mac respectively.
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