AirDrop is the quickest way to send photos, videos and files between Apple devices, until one day it does not work. You cannot see the other person in the list, the transfer hangs or nothing happens at all. In almost every case it is a setting: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is off, the receiver is set to Contacts Only, or a Personal Hotspot is getting in the way. Only once all of that is right does the hardware come into the picture.
Blue Apple repairs iPhones, iPads and MacBooks at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam. What we do is on the iPhone repair in Amsterdam page. First, everything you can check yourself.
The basics first, on both devices
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, on the device that sends and on the device that receives. You do not need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, but Wi-Fi does have to be on.
- You are close together, within about ten metres and preferably in the same room.
- No Personal Hotspot. If one of you shares internet through a Personal Hotspot, turn it off.
- The receiver's screen is on and unlocked. An iPhone in a pocket with the screen off often does not appear.
- Both devices are up to date. An old iOS or macOS version on one side can get in AirDrop's way.
The receiving setting on iPhone and iPad
Go to Settings > General > AirDrop. There are three choices:
- Receiving Off: nobody can send you anything.
- Contacts Only: only people in your contacts, with the phone number or email address of their Apple Account. If the other person is not in your contacts, or is saved with another number, you will not see each other.
- Everyone for 10 Minutes: for ten minutes anyone nearby can send you something. After that the setting returns to Contacts Only.
It is quicker through Control Centre: touch and hold the block with the connectivity controls (Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and tap AirDrop. If both devices run iOS 26.2 or later, AirDrop with someone who is not in your contacts can also work with an AirDrop code: the receiver shows a code that the sender enters.
Does a large transfer stop halfway because you walk away? Under Settings > General > AirDrop you can also allow the transfer to continue over mobile data when you move out of range.
On the Mac
- Finder. Open Finder and click AirDrop in the sidebar. At the bottom you choose who may send you things: Contacts Only or Everyone.
- System Settings. In macOS Tahoe 26, AirDrop is under System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity. In older versions that section is called AirDrop & Handoff.
- Control Centre. Click Control Centre in the menu bar and switch AirDrop on there.
- Firewall. Look under System Settings > Network > Firewall. If Block all incoming connections is switched on in the options, your Mac cannot receive anything through AirDrop. Switch that option off.
Other things that stop AirDrop
- Screen Time. Under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, AirDrop can be switched off among the allowed apps. You often see that on a child's iPhone or iPad.
- A work iPhone or Mac. A managed device can have AirDrop blocked by the employer. Ask your IT department.
- Airplane Mode. It switches Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off, even if you do not notice them coming back.
Restarting and the network settings
Switch Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on again on both devices, then restart both. If that does not help and Bluetooth works badly with other devices too, you can reset the network settings on an iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Your photos and apps stay, but saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings disappear, so keep your Wi-Fi password at hand.
When it is a hardware fault
AirDrop uses your device's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. If those do not work properly, AirDrop will not work either, however well your settings are set. Signs that it is hardware:
- The Wi-Fi or Bluetooth switch is greyed out or jumps straight back to off.
- Bluetooth keeps searching and never finds anything, not even earbuds or speakers.
- Wi-Fi is only usable right next to the router, while other devices have signal everywhere.
- On a Mac, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth says no hardware is installed.
- The problem started after a drop, after water damage or after a repair elsewhere in which the screen or back was opened. An antenna cable is sometimes damaged then.
The cause is then usually an antenna, a cable or the chip on the logic board. See iPhone logic board repair or MacBook logic board repair. After liquid, see iPhone water damage repair.
How a repair works at Blue Apple
We first check that it really is hardware: we test Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with our own devices, look at the range and search for traces of moisture or earlier repairs. Then you hear what is wrong and what the repair costs, and we only start once you agree. You can pick your model on the iPhone page, the iPad page or the MacBook page, or call 020 239 11 93.
Common questions
Why can I not see the other person, while they can see me?
Usually one of you is set to Contacts Only and the other is not in the contacts, or is saved with another number or email address. Set the receiver to Everyone for 10 Minutes for a moment.
Does AirDrop work with an Android phone?
AirDrop is made for Apple devices. A few new Android phones can send to an iPhone set to Everyone through Quick Share, but for most Android phones it does not work. Use a share link or a messaging app instead.
How far apart can we be?
Keep it within about ten metres, without thick walls in between. The closer, the faster.
Why does the transfer stay on Waiting?
The receiver has to accept the transfer. If the receiver's screen is off or the device is locked, unlock it and tap Accept.
In short
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, close together, no hotspot, and the receiver on Contacts Only with the right details or on Everyone for 10 Minutes. On a Mac, check the firewall too. If Wi-Fi or Bluetooth themselves no longer work, it is a hardware fault. Come by at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam or call ahead with a question: 020 239 11 93.
