How to fix AirDrop not working or failing to transfer files between Apple devices on macOS

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix AirDrop not working or failing to transfer files between Apple devices on macOS. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

AirDrop is one of the fastest ways to move photos, documents, links and other files between your Mac, iPhone and iPad without using the internet or cables. When it stops working, the cause is usually a simple setting, an outdated macOS version, or a network or firewall issue blocking the peer-to-peer connection. This guide walks you through the most common fixes, starting with the quickest checks and moving to more detailed troubleshooting.

Quick Fix Steps

Try these steps first. Most AirDrop problems are resolved within a few minutes.

1. Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off, then back on, on both devices.
2. Toggle AirDrop off in Control Centre, wait ten seconds, then turn it back on.
3. Move both devices within roughly nine metres of each other with no solid obstructions.
4. Restart the Mac and the iPhone or iPad you are transferring to or from.
5. Make sure both devices are unlocked and awake.

Detailed Instructions

Check AirDrop Visibility Settings

AirDrop has three visibility modes: Receiving Off, Contacts Only and Everyone. If the receiving device is set to Contacts Only and the sender is not saved as a contact, the device will not appear in the AirDrop list.

1. On the Mac, open Control Centre from the menu bar.
2. Click AirDrop.
3. Select Everyone for testing. You can return to Contacts Only once transfers are working.
4. On the iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Centre.
5. Press and hold the connectivity block, then tap AirDrop and choose Everyone.

Confirm Both Devices Are Compatible

AirDrop works between Macs running OS X 10.7 Lion or later and iOS devices running iOS 7 or later. Older hardware may not support the newer, faster peer-to-peer Wi-Fi method used by recent macOS releases.

• Older Mac models (pre-2012 in many cases) can only use AirDrop over a shared Wi-Fi network rather than direct peer-to-peer.
• If one device is much older than the other, ensure both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network as a fallback.

Update macOS and iOS

Apple regularly fixes AirDrop bugs in software updates. Running mismatched versions is a common cause of failed transfers.

1. On the Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Install any available updates and restart when prompted.
3. On the iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install anything pending.

Check the Mac Firewall

The macOS firewall can block AirDrop connections, particularly if a third-party firewall or security tool is installed.

1. Open System Settings > Network > Firewall.
2. If the firewall is on, click Options and confirm Block all incoming connections is switched off.
3. Ensure Automatically allow built-in software to receive incoming connections is enabled.
4. If you use a third-party security application, check its documentation for AirDrop-related rules or temporarily disable it to test.

Reset Network Settings on the Mac

Corrupt Wi-Fi or Bluetooth preferences can prevent AirDrop discovery.

1. Quit System Settings.
2. Open Finder and choose Go > Go to Folder.
3. Type /Library/Preferences/com.apple.network.eapolclient.plist and press Return.
4. Move the com.apple.network.eapolclient.plist file to the Desktop for backup.
5. Restart the Mac. macOS will recreate this file automatically.

Reset Network Settings on iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset.
2. Tap Reset Network Settings.
3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

Sign Out and Back Into iCloud

AirDrop uses your Apple ID to filter devices in Contacts Only mode. A stale iCloud session can prevent discovery.

1. On the Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] and click Sign Out.
2. On the iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] and scroll down to Sign Out.
3. Sign back in on each device and test AirDrop again.

Troubleshooting

Devices Still Not Appearing

• Confirm Bluetooth is on and not in pairing mode with another accessory.
• Disable Personal Hotspot on the iPhone or iPad.
• Try sending a single small file rather than a large batch to rule out size-related failures.
• Test in the opposite direction. If the Mac cannot see the iPhone, see if the iPhone can see the Mac.

Transfers Start but Fail Midway

• Keep both devices awake and plugged into power for large transfers.
• Free up storage on the receiving device. AirDrop requires enough free space for the entire file.
• Disable Low Power Mode on the iPhone or iPad.
• Avoid moving between Wi-Fi networks during the transfer.

AirDrop Works with Some Devices but Not Others

• Check that the problematic device is signed into the same Apple ID, or that it is set to Everyone.
• Confirm the contact card on the sender's device includes the recipient's email address or phone number exactly as it appears on the receiving device.
• Restart the device that is not appearing rather than the sender.

Check Console Logs for Clues

If the issue persists, the macOS Console can reveal specific error messages.

1. Open Console from Applications > Utilities.
2. Type AirDrop into the search bar.
3. Attempt an AirDrop transfer and review the resulting log entries for errors.

If AirDrop still does not work after completing every step above, the issue may be related to a deeper macOS configuration or a hardware fault with the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module. Open a Ticket and our team will assist you further.

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