Whenever the need to share files between iDevices including iPhone, iPad, and Mac arises, I always count on AirDrop to get the job done without any fuss. Apart from making the entire sharing process seamless, it also ensures there is no loss of quality. Barring a few rare occasions, AirDrop works quite reliably in transferring files faster and with the desired security. That said, a small number of iPhone and Mac users have reported that AirDrop is ill-functioning ever since they upgraded to iOS 15 and macOS Monterey. If you are also one of them, look no further than these 12 best tips to fix AirDrop not working issues in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey.

In most cases, you can troubleshoot AirDrop issues on your iOS or macOS device just by resetting the key components like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and checking off the basics. If that doesn’t rescue you, there are a few reliable but a bit radical solutions that have the knack of resolving AirDrop problems.

  • What Type of Files Can You Share with AirDrop?
  • Pre-Requisites for AirDrop
  • Turn Off/On Bluetooth/Wi-Fi
  • Disable Personal Hotspot to Free Up the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connections
  • Disable Do Not Disturb Mode
  • Force Quit the App and Try to Share Files Again
  • Switch to Everyone to Prevent Any Chance of Contact Mismatch
  • Reset Network Settings
  • Disable “Block All Incoming Communications”
  • Reset All Bluetooth Connections
  • Use Terminal Command to Kill Bluetooth
  • Update Software on Your iPhone/iPad, and Mac

What Type of Files Can You Share with AirDrop?

AirDrop supports a variety of formats including photos, videos, contacts, Voice Memos, Map locations, Passbook passes, and more. In a nutshell, you can use it to share anything/everything that shows up on a Share sheet.

Pre-Requisites for AirDrop

  • Ensure that the person you’re sharing files with is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range (within 30 feet or 9 meters).
  • Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices.
  • If you and the person you want to share content with have iPhone 11,12, or iPhone 13, you can point your iPhone in the direction of the other iPhone to speed up sharing.
  • If the person you are sharing files with is in your contacts, an image with their name will appear in the share sheet. But if they are not in your Contacts, only their name will show up in the share sheet.
  • If a red numbered badge shows up on the AirDrop button, that means there are multiple devices nearby that you can share with.
  • When someone shares any file with you via AirDrop, an alert with a preview will appear on your device. The preview offers you the option to Accept or Decline the shared file.
  • If you Accept the shared file, it will be saved within the same app it was sent from. For instance, videos will be sent in the Photos app, while website links will open in Safari. And if someone shares an app link, it will (you guessed it!) open in App Store so that you can download the app right away.
  • Bear in mind that if you AirDrop something to yourself, like a photo from your iPhone to your iPad/Mac (linked with the same iCloud account), you won’t get an option to Accept or Decline. The shared file will automatically be saved in the relevant app.

Turn Off/On Bluetooth/Wi-Fi

As Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have a key role to play in helping AirDrop work consistently, make sure these important cogs are working well. One of the easiest ways you can fix the inconsistency of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is by turning them off/on.

Disable Personal Hotspot to Free Up the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connections

Another thing you should do without any failure is to make sure the personal hotspot is disabled on both devices. As it prevents Wi-Fi and Bluetooth from working normally, ensure that it is turned off.

Be sure Do Not Disturb mode is not trying to block the path of AirDrop. Believe it or not, DND has the tendency of preventing AirDrop from working normally. So, turn off Do Not Disturb on both the devices and try to transfer files again.

On your iPhone and iPad with Face ID: Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen. Then, tap on the crescent moon icon to disable Do Not Disturb mode on your device.

Many a time, I’m able to fix AirDrop issues on iOS or macOS by just force-quitting the app and starting the sharing process again. So, try out this simple yet effective trick to see if it solves the problem.

On your iPhone/iPad with Face ID: Swipe up from the home bar and then hold in the middle of the screen. After that, swipe up the app card to quit the app (which files you are trying to share).

Both macOS and iOS allow sharing files between contacts only to prevent any foul play. While it’s a well-thought-out feature, at times it tends to create contacts mismatch. Therefore, ensure that your devices are discoverable by everyone.

On your iPhone/iPad: Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen or swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the control center. Then, touch and hold the four-icon platter at the top left corner to expand it. After that, tap on the AirDrop icon and choose Everyone.

If AirDrop is still not working on your iPhone or iPad, try resetting the network settings. If the problem is due to network-related issues, you can fix it by putting the network settings to factory default.

“Firewall” comes with a security feature that enables you to block all incoming communications except those needed for basic internet services such as Bonjour and IPSec. If you have turned it on, chances are pretty high that it’s playing the spoilsport by preventing AirDrop from working normally. Well, the good thing is you can turn off this security feature without having to disable the Firewall on your Mac.

Next up, click on the lock and enter your administrator password. After that, click on Firewall Options and deselect “Block all incoming connections.”

For smooth functioning, macOS stores all the known Bluetooth connections in a separate file. And when you eliminate the stored connections, Mac is forced to gather new Bluetooth connections.

Terminal commands are super handy for not just unlocking a ton of hidden features but also troubleshooting complex issues. And guess what, there is a pretty reliable command for Bluetooth-related issues as well.

sudo pkill blued

Now, enter your admin password and hit Enter. Next, allow the service to restart which will result in the removal of all the Bluetooth connections that are open.

Software update often proves to be the right answer to random issues or the annoying bugs that most of us find hard to explain. As Apple keeps refining software with plenty of under the hood performance enhancements and bug fixes (it’s altogether another matter that bugs keep cropping up despite all the tireless efforts put in by the Cupertino), it’s better to upgrade the device to the latest software version rather than stay back to the outdated software.

So, that ends this guide about resolving AirDrop problems in iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur. I guess you have finally put the issues behind your back and started sharing files using AirDrop as seamlessly as ever before.