AirDrop Troubleshooter
AirDrop not working? Select your issue, devices, and current settings to get a prioritized list of fixes tailored to your specific problem. Check off each step as you go until AirDrop starts working again. This troubleshooter covers all common AirDrop issues between iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Why AirDrop Stops Working
AirDrop uses a combination of Bluetooth and WiFi to discover nearby devices and transfer files. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) handles device discovery — finding and identifying other Apple devices in range — while WiFi Direct creates a peer-to-peer connection for the actual data transfer. This dual-technology approach means that both Bluetooth and WiFi must be functioning correctly on both the sending and receiving devices for AirDrop to work. If either technology is disabled, blocked, or malfunctioning on either device, AirDrop will fail.
One of the most common causes of AirDrop failure is the discovery setting. AirDrop offers three visibility modes: Receiving Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone for 10 Minutes. The "Contacts Only" setting requires that both users have each other saved in their contacts with the email addresses or phone numbers associated with their Apple IDs. If the contact information does not match exactly, devices will not see each other even when in range. Switching to "Everyone for 10 Minutes" bypasses this requirement and is the fastest way to test if contact matching is the issue.
Personal Hotspot creates a direct conflict with AirDrop because it uses the WiFi radio for its own peer-to-peer connection. When Personal Hotspot is active, the WiFi hardware is dedicated to serving internet to connected devices and cannot simultaneously create the WiFi Direct connection that AirDrop requires. This is one of the most overlooked causes of AirDrop failure. Simply turning off Personal Hotspot on both devices often resolves the issue immediately.
Distance and physical barriers affect AirDrop range. While Bluetooth can technically reach up to 30 feet, AirDrop works best within 10 feet with clear line of sight between devices. Walls, furniture, and other obstacles reduce effective range. Additionally, electromagnetic interference from other wireless devices, microwaves, or crowded WiFi environments can degrade the connection. Moving devices closer together is always worth trying when AirDrop cannot find the other device.
AirDrop Compatibility Requirements
AirDrop between Apple devices requires an iPhone 5 or later, iPad (4th generation) or later, iPad mini, iPod touch (5th generation) or later, or a Mac from 2012 or later. Both devices must be running relatively recent software — iOS 7 or later for iPhone and iPad, OS X Yosemite or later for Mac. AirDrop between a Mac and an iOS device requires the Mac to be from 2012 or later. Older devices may support AirDrop only between devices of the same type, such as Mac to Mac or iPhone to iPhone.