AirDrop is a convenient feature that allows you to transfer files wirelessly between your iPhone and Mac. However, sometimes AirDrop may not work as expected and you may encounter issues such as AirDrop not showing up, AirDrop not sending or receiving files, or AirDrop failing to connect. Here are some possible reasons why AirDrop might not be working between your iPhone and Mac and how to fix them.
Check
Compatibility and Requirements
Before you try to use
AirDrop, make sure that both your iPhone and Mac are compatible with the
feature and meet the minimum requirements. Here are the compatibility and
requirements for AirDrop:
·
Your iPhone must be running iOS 7 or later and your Mac must be
running OS X Yosemite or later.
·
Your Mac must be a 2012 model or newer (except for the 2012 Mac
Pro).
·
Both devices must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and be
within 30 feet of each other.
·
Both devices must have AirDrop enabled and set to Everyone or
Contacts Only.
·
Your iPhone must be unlocked and your Mac must have an AirDrop
window open in Finder.
Turn
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Off and On
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are
essential for AirDrop to work, so if they are not functioning properly, AirDrop
may not work either. A simple way to fix this is to turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
off and on again on both devices. This can refresh the connection and resolve
any minor glitches.
·
On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner of the
screen (or swipe up from the bottom if you have an iPhone with Touch ID) to
open Control Center. Tap the Wi-Fi icon and the Bluetooth icon to turn them
off. Wait for a few seconds and then tap them again to turn them on.
·
On your Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon and the Bluetooth icon on the
menu bar at the top-right corner of the screen. Select Turn Wi-Fi Off and Turn
Bluetooth Off from the drop-down menus. Wait for a few seconds and then select
Turn Wi-Fi On and Turn Bluetooth On.
Update
Software on Both Devices
Sometimes, outdated
software can cause compatibility issues or bugs that can prevent AirDrop from
working properly. Therefore, it is important to keep your iPhone and Mac
updated to the latest software versions available. Here is how to update your
software on both devices:
·
On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software
Update. If there is an update available, tap Download and Install.
·
On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Software Update. If
there is an update available, click Update Now.
Reset
Network Settings on iPhone
If none of the above
methods work, you can try resetting the network settings on your iPhone. This
can clear any cached data or corrupted files that may interfere with AirDrop.
However, this will also erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth
pairings, VPN configurations, and cellular settings, so make sure you have a
backup of them before proceeding.
·
On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset. Tap
Reset Network Settings and enter your passcode if prompted. Tap Reset Network
Settings again to confirm.
Conclusion
AirDrop is a handy
feature that can make file sharing between your iPhone and Mac easy and fast.
However, if you encounter any problems with AirDrop not working between your
devices, you can try the methods above to troubleshoot and fix them. Hopefully,
this guide has helped you resolve your AirDrop issues and get back to
transferring files smoothly.
Why Isn’t Airdrop Working Between iPhone and Mac?
Troubleshooting Guide
|
Reason |
Solution |
Additional Tips |
|
Devices not compatible |
Check the compatibility list for AirDrop on Mac and iOS |
Use alternative methods like email or cloud storage |
|
Devices not awake |
Make sure the iPhone is unlocked and the Mac is not asleep |
Turn on the display of both devices before using AirDrop |
|
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth not enabled |
Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices |
No need to connect to a Wi-Fi network, just enable Wi-Fi |
|
Software not updated |
Update macOS on Mac and iOS on iPhone |
Backup your data before updating |
|
Do Not Disturb or Focus mode enabled |
Turn off Do Not Disturb or Focus mode on both devices |
These modes can block AirDrop notifications and visibility |
|
Firewall settings too restrictive |
Allow all incoming connections in Mac’s firewall settings |
System Preferences > Security & Privacy >
Firewall > Firewall Options |
|
AirDrop visibility not set properly |
Set AirDrop to Everyone or Contacts Only on both devices |
Control Center on iPhone, Finder > AirDrop on Mac |
|
Firmware or network settings corrupted |
Reset NVRAM on Mac and network settings on iPhone |
Restart the devices after resetting |
|
Personal Hotspot active on iPhone |
Turn off Personal Hotspot on iPhone |
Personal Hotspot can interfere with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
|
Hardware issue or defect |
Contact Apple support or a professional repair service |
Check your warranty status and backup your data before
repair |
