How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on iPhone/iPad? - 10 Effective Tips

AirDrop is a very convenient feature within the Apple ecosystem that allows users to quickly share files between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, some users have encountered the issue of "AirDrop not working on iPhone/iPad" after upgrading to iOS 17/18. If you are facing this problem, this article will provide you with detailed solutions and also teach you how to restart AirDrop.

Part 1. Why Is My AirDrop Not Working on iPhone/iPad?

If your iOS 17/18 AirdDop is not working, here are some possible reasons:

• Device Does Not Support AirDrop: Some older Apple devices are not compatible with AirDrop.
• Incorrect Settings: AirDrop settings may be restricted or set to "Receiving Off".
• Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Issues: AirDrop relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for file transfer.
• System Issues: Outdated software or system glitches may cause the feature to malfunction.
• Devices Too Far Apart: Bluetooth typically has an effective range of about 30 feet; if the devices are too far apart, the connection may fail.
• Interference Issues: Nearby signal interference, enabled hotspots, or other wireless devices can also obstruct the connection.

Part 2. How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on iPhone/iPad?

After you know the possible reasons, you can follow the solutions below to solve the AirDrop not working problem.

Fix 1. Check If Your Device Supports AirDrop

If your device does not support AirDrop, the feature cannot be enabled. Apple only provides AirDrop support for certain hardware devices. The following are all the devices that are compatible with AirDrop:

• iPhones running iOS 7 or later
• iPads running iPadOS 13 or later
• Macs released in 2012 or later, and running OS X 10.10 or newer

Fix 2. Adjust AirDrop Settings

Incorrect AirDrop receiving settings are also a common cause of "AirDrop not working on iPhone/iPad". If set to "Receiving Off", you won't be able to share files with other devices. To adjust AirDrop settings, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen).

Step 2. Press and hold the network settings box, then locate the AirDrop icon.

Step 3. Tap AirDrop and select "Everyone" or "Contacts Only" to enable receiving. (AirDrop Contacts Only not working?)

Fix 3. Check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

AirDrop relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for high-speed file transfer. Therefore, if either of these features is not working properly, it may cause "iOS 17/18 AirDrop not working". Follow the steps below to check your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi:

Step 1. Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, and make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled.

Step 2. If they are already turned on, you can turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, wait for 10 seconds, and then turn them back on to see if the issue is resolved.

Fix 4. Turn Off Personal Hotspot

If you have enabled the Personal Hotspot on an iPhone or iPad, AirDrop will not work. You can follow the steps below to disable the Personal Hotspot:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Personal Hotspot" on your iPhone/iPad.

Step 2. Turn off the "Personal Hotspot" option.

Fix 5. Bring Devices Closer Together

AirDrop relies on Bluetooth signals to detect devices, and the effective range of Bluetooth is typically within 10 meters. If the devices are too far apart or there is significant signal interference, it may cause "AirDrop not working on iPhone/iPad".

Fix 6. Force Restart the iPhone

Restarting the device is one of the common methods to resolve iOS device issues. You can refresh the system status by force restarting, which may fix the iOS 17/18 AirDrop not working problem.

To force restart the iPhone, follow the steps below:

• For iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release the "Volume Up" button, then quickly press and release the "Volume Down" button. Finally, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold both the "Side" button and the "Volume Down" button until the Apple logo appears.
• For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the "Home" button and the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 7. Update Software

An outdated iOS version may have some software bugs that cause iPhone or iPad AirDrop not working issue. You can update it to the latest iOS software version to see if the problem can be fixed.

To do so, simply follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update". (iPhone stuck on software update?)

Step 2. Download and install the latest iOS version on your devices.

Fix 8. Check AirDrop Restrictions

If AirDrop isn't working on your iPhone, it may be disabled in the Content & Privacy Restrictions. To resolve the issue of AirDrop not being available, you'll need to remove these restrictions. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Content & Privacy Restrictions".

Step 2. Tap "Allowed Apps" and make sure AirDrop is enabled.

Step 3. If AirDrop is disabled, toggle the switch to turn it on.

Fix 9. Sign Out and Sign Back into Apple Account

In rare cases, recent account login sessions may expire, which can affect services like FaceTime, AirDrop, and others. If AirDrop isn't working on your iPhone or iPad, try signing out of your Apple ID account and signing back in.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. On your iPhone/iPad, open "Settings", tap "your name", and select the "Sign Out" option at the bottom of the screen. (Can't sign out of your Apple ID?)

Step 2. Next, enter your Apple ID password and tap "Turn Off". You can choose which data you want to keep a copy of on your iPhone.

Step 3. Then, tap "Sign Out" in the top-right corner and confirm by tapping "Sign Out" again.

Step 4. Finally, go back to Settings, tap "Sign in to your iPhone", and enter your Apple ID and password to sign back in.

Fix 10. Contact Apple Support

If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps for AirDrop and nothing seems to work, the issue could be related to your device's internal components. In some cases, the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi hardware may be faulty, which could be causing AirDrop to malfunction on your iPhone or iPad. In such situations, it's best to seek professional assistance. We recommend visiting the nearest Apple Service Center to have your device diagnosed by Apple experts.

Part 3. AirDrop Alternative to Transfer Data Between iOS Devices

If AirDrop on iPhone not working, don't worry, there are other great third-party tools that can be alternatives to AirDrop when it comes to file transfer. Coolmuster Mobile Transfer is a great AirDrop alternative for you to transfer files between iOS and iOS. What's more, this tool also supports the Android system, you can use it to transfer from iOS to Android and vice versa with a breeze.

Main features of Coolmuster Mobile Transfer:

• Transfer contacts, calendars, bookmarks, eBooks(PDFs & ePubs), and notes(notes are not supported in iOS 11 or later) from iOS to iOS.
• Support to transfer data from Android to Android, iOS to iOS, iOS to Android, and Android to iOS.
• Easy to use & swift process.
• Fully support iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11, iPad Pro, the new iPad, iPad Air, etc (iOS 18 supported).

You can download the free trial version to give it a try.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here's how to transfer files between iPhone and iPhone using Mobile Transfer:

Video Tutorial:

Words in the End

This article provides some useful tips for the AirDrop not working on iPhone problems, hopefully, the AirDrop on your devices works smoothly after troubleshooting. Great AirDrop alternatives are also introduced in this article. If you don't want to AirDrop files, you can download Coolmuster Mobile Transfer to transfer files in a quicker way.

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