A lot of Mac users have been suffering from the troublesome “AirDrop not working” error recently. This quickly became a big problem as AirDrop acts as the primary file transfer solution for Mac users. It allows users to wirelessly share files from their iPhone devices to other Apple devices and vice versa. If you’ve also encountered the ‘AirDrop not working’ error on your iPhone, we have the best solutions for you!
In case you are an iPad user, these ‘AirDrop not working’ solutions will work for you as well. We will also talk about the possible causes that are responsible for the problem. After all, we can’t stop reading articles about tech geeks who would like to know why their Apple device isn’t working properly!
What is Airdrop?
AirDrop can be defined as a feature that allows Mac computers and iOS devices to stay physically close to share files wirelessly. AirDrop allows you to quickly do this without using Wi-Fi or mobile data. The way the proprietary Adhoc service works is by using Bluetooth Low Energy to transmit, discover and negotiate connections. AirDrop uses peer-to-peer Wi-Fi to transfer information. This processing structure makes it energy efficient, very secure and, of course, fast.
Apple device owners can enjoy AirDrop features that work at an incredible distance where two devices can be up to 30 feet apart. To do this, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must remain active during the transfer. Some Android devices use a hybrid of Near Field Communications (NFC) and Bluetooth to share files. But both NFC and Bluetooth are much slower compared to AirDrop. Transferring large files has never been easier!
AirDrop sharing works between iPhone, iPad, iPod touch (with iOS 7 or later), Mac computers and Mac OS X Yosemite, and iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices with iOS 8 or later. The app also encrypts the content you share with no document size limits.
AirDrop not working, what is it?
It is really a nuisance when one of the most convenient features for Apple users stops working. You may encounter a number of problems when trying to use AirDrop. Apart from the common “AirDrop not working” error that affects your devices, you might be facing other issues like:
- AirDrop is stuck on hold
- AirDrop can’t save the file
- AirDrop doesn’t detect nearby devices
- AirDrop cancels or refuses to transfer files
- Slow speed when transferring files using AirDrop
Has anyone experienced #Airdrop to the fact that the iPhone 13 Pro is so slow that it doesn’t work at all? I can take photos, not videos. I have the latest software update and have changed the Camera setting to Most Compatible. Still no luck.
—Megan Grant 🧚🏻♀️ (@MeganGrant333) January 5, 2022
The ‘AirDrop not working’ problem is becoming popular every day. The problem shouldn’t be too severe and can often be easily fixed. Follow the steps below to fix AirDrop not working error so you can happily transfer files again. We also have our guide for those looking to buy a new phone in 2022 here!
How to fix AirDrop not working error on iPhone or iPad?
Before jumping into the fixes we have gathered, you should first check a few settings on your device. Regardless of which iOS device you use, first turn on Bluetooth (the button should turn green). If you are prompted to Allow new connections, select Allow your device to connect to new devices.
Leave AirDrop on. Next, go to the Settings app, tap on General, and select AirDrop. Here you can choose your settings on whether you want your device to be visible only to those in your contact list or to everyone within range. You can always try restarting AirDrop to get it back online. Do this by selecting the Reception Off option.
Double check that the device you’re sharing files with has also enabled AirDrop for everyone. Keep them close to keep them within range.
If you find that your AirDrop not working problem persists, we recommend that you follow the next set of fixes. You can see the Airdrop history here.
More Ways to Fix AirDrop Not Working on iPhone/iPad
You may still face AirDrop not working error on your iOS device even after checking all the settings. If this happens, follow the steps below to fix AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad.
Fix #1: Reset Network Settings
As you already know, AirDrop requires you to turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If your Apple device is having Wi-Fi connection issues then this can be the probable reason why you are facing AirDrop not working issue. To reset network settings on your iPhone or iPad,
Step 1: Go to the “Settings” app and tap on “General”.
Step 2: Select “Reset” option and tap on “Reset Network Settings”.
Solution no. Solution #2: Force restart your Apple device
This has reportedly proven to be one of the most effective ways to fix the “AirDrop not working problem”. Force restarting your iOS device can do wonders to resolve other issues like ‘Bluetooth not working’. Follow the ways below to know how to force restart iPhone or iPad.
Method 1 – You will need to simultaneously press the Home button and the Power button on your device until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Method 2: Older iPhone users may need to press the Home and Volume buttons at the same time to force restart their device.
Solution no. Problem #3: Sign in to your iCloud again
As a wise man once said, leave no stone unturned in finding the answers to your obstacles. Be sure to try signing back into your iCloud to see if that fixes your problem. To sign out and sign back in to your iCloud account, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Settings app.
Step 2: Tap your name and go to “iCloud”.
Step 3: Then first sign out of your iCloud account and sign in again.
Fix #4: Restart Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Users have no choice but to rely on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while using AirDrop. If you are having any issues transferring files, be sure to try restarting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You can easily do this on your iOS device by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and tapping on the respective Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons.
Fix #5 Update iOS to the latest version
The reason why you keep having AirDrop not working issues on your iPhone or iPad is most likely due to an old or corrupted operating system. You should definitely update your iOS to the latest version. This will ensure that your operating system is free of errors and that built-in faults do not interfere with the transfer processes.
Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap the General tab. Click Software Update and proceed with the update if you find pending updates available. Updating your iOS to the latest version has a high chance to resolve your AirDrop not working issue.
Solution no. Problem #6 – Using a third-party iOS data transfer software
Rather than find a solution for AirDrop not working, you may find it easier to find an AirDrop replacement. You can definitely use external data transfer tools like EaseUS MobiMover to transfer the files you need. The aforementioned app allows you to transfer files between a computer and an iPhone/iPad or even between two iOS devices. This can be a great option for people who prefer not to mess with their iPhones settings and are looking for a simple solution.
Solution no. Problem #7: Check Your Mac’s Firewall Settings
If you’re using a Mac device, go to System Preferences and select Security & Privacy. Select the Firewall option and check if you have somehow blocked incoming connections. Your Mac’s Firewall settings should allow incoming connections.
Final Solution: Contact Apple
You may be one of the unlucky ones if the AirDrop not working issue persists on your Apple device. If all of the above fixes fail, it’s about time you contacted Apple customer service. You can simply go directly to your nearest Apple store and have your problem resolved.
Some websites recommend hard resetting your iOS device to fix Airdrop not working issue. We request you to stay away from such actions as hard reset will delete all data on your phone. Also, it may not even provide a solution for the AirDrop issue on your device.
How to fix AirDrop not working on Mac?
Many Mac users have also encountered AirDrop related issues. If you’ve already enabled incoming connections in your Mac’s firewall settings, make sure the receiving device’s display is turned on. AirDrop stops working when the receiving device goes to sleep, so it’s important to check this.
When sending multiple files from Mac to any other iOS device other than the same type, AirDrop will also not work properly. Send only one type of file in a session when using AirDrop. Mixing a PDF file with a Word document and an MP4 clip is a bad idea. Just send multiple files of the same type, such as multiple images or videos, in a single AirDrop session.
Mac users often consider Bluetooth to be the main issue that causes AirDrop not working. You can just delete the Bluetooth stack on your Mac and restart it. Go and delete the /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file. When you’re done, restart your Mac and turn Bluetooth back on.
You can check if your Mac supports AirDrop by looking for an AirDrop option in the Go menu in Finder.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why isn’t my AirDrop working?
There could be a number of underlying reasons why you might be facing the AirDrop not working error. Such a problem can be the result of a network issue, software bug, corrupted operating system, visibility settings, or system incompatibility.
2. What to do if my AirDrop is missing from iOS Control Center?
First, open Settings and go to the General tab. Touch Restrictions and enter your device password if prompted. In the Restrictions list, check AirDrop and disable the restriction. Exit Settings and reopen Control Center on your iOS device. This time AirDrop should be visible.
3. Do all devices that use AirDrop need to stay awake?
It is very important to note that AirDrop will not work if any device is idle. AirDrop requires the screen to remain on when it is running. Mac users can dim the screen, but the computer should not remain in sleep mode. We would love to hear from you if you are also facing the issue of Airdrop now working on your Apple devices. Please share with us how you fixed it or if you followed a unique way to solve it.
Categories: How to
Source: newstars.edu.vn