Try Basic Fixes
- Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: AirDrop uses Bluetooth on your iPhone to search for nearby devices and subsequently utilizes Wi-Fi to send or receive files. So, ensure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your iPhone.
- Disable Focus mode: Although you can use AirDrop to send files while the Focus mode is active, you won’t receive any notifications for incoming files. This might give you the impression that AirDrop notifications are not functioning correctly on your iPhone.
- Temporarily disable VPN: Oddly enough, several users on the Apple forums reported experiencing issues using AirDrop while connected to a VPN network. To avoid any conflicts, temporarily disable VPN on the sending and receiving devices and see if that gets things moving again.
- Install iOS Updates: Sometimes, software updates can also go wrong. If the AirDrop not working issue only occurs due to a bug, installing pending iOS updates on your iPhone should help.
Fix 1: Turn off Personal Hotspot
Another reason you might be unable to send or receive files via AirDrop is if either of the iPhones has Personal Hotspot enabled. Here’s how to turn it off.
Step 1: Open the Settings app and go to Mobile Data.
Step 2: Tap Personal Hotspot and turn off the toggle for Allow Others to Join.
Fix 2: Turn off AirDrop Restrictions
Is the AirDrop option grayed out on your iPhone? That could happen if you have set up Screen Time restrictions for it. Here’s how to turn them off and get AirDrop working on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the Settings app and head to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Step 2: Tap on Allowed Apps and turn on the toggle for AirDrop.
Fix 3: Reset Network Settings
If you still can’t send or receive files via AirDrop, it’s likely that the network configurations on your iPhone are to blame. In that case, your best option is to reset all the network settings and start over.
Step 1: Open the Settings menu on your iPhone and navigate to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 2: Tap Reset at the bottom and choose Reset Network Settings.
Enter your device passcode for verification and follow the on-screen prompts to finish resetting the network settings.
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Last updated on 04 July, 2024
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