AirDrop is an Apple Inc. proprietary function that enables for the wireless transmission of data between Apple products. For example, if you wish to share a file from your, iPad, or Mac to another Apple device, AirDrop will assist you in doing so without the use of a cable.
It locates the device and completes the transfer using Bluetooth and WiFi. It’s blue and has lines all around it that display the signals, and it’s close to the WiFi button. It allows you to send photographs, movies, GPS coordinates, documents, and more.
AirDrop enables for photo and video exchanges up to 30 feet away, with no limit on the number of photos or movies that can be sent.
The sharing is secure, and the quality remains the same; unlike WhatsApp, AirDrop does not decrease the quality. It only takes a few seconds to complete the sharing process, making it a straightforward, safe, and time-saving software for transferring files and data.
If you don’t want AirDrop to send anything, go to the settings and turn off the receiving option. When Bluetooth or Wifi are turned off, or if you have an older iPhone model, the AirDrop may not work.
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Contents
What Devices Can I Use With AirDrop?
AirDrop is often incompatible with older versions of Apple devices, and both devices must be compatible for the transfer to take place. The transfer will not take place if the devices are not compatible. The following is a list of devices that are AirDrop compatible.
The following prerequisites must be completed in order to transfer files between two iOS devices:
- iPhone 5 or newer is required.
- iPad 4th generation or later is required.
- iPads that are 5th generation or newer are supported.
- All iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini versions are available.
The following prerequisites must be completed in order to transfer data between two Mac devices:
- Aluminum and the MacBook Pro Late 2008 or newer MacBook.
- Late 2009 or newer MacBook, iMac, and Mac Pro models.
- Late 2010 or newer MacBook Air and Mac Mini
What Can I Do If AirDrop Isn’t Working?
Apple Inc.’s AirDrop service allows users to transmit files between their Apple devices for free.
Because many customers have reported concerns about the same issue, the AirDrop sometimes does not work owing to Bluetooth, Wifi switched off, or earlier versions being used. There are a several options for resolving the AirDrop issue, including:
1. Modify AirDrop Options
If the AirDrop isn’t working, double-check that the WiFi and Bluetooth buttons are both turned on.
Off, Contact Only, and Everyone are some of the AirDrop options that need to be tweaked. Receiving Off will prevent sharing, Contacts Only will allow you to share with people you know and have contact with, and Everyone will allow you to share with anyone.
If you’re having problems with your AirDrop, it’s possible that you’ve picked the receiving off or contacts only option. Select the everyone option to enable the transfer. This can be accomplished by following the instructions.
On the iPhone and iPad, while modifying AirDrop settings;
Step 1: Navigate to the Settings menu.
Step 2: Select General from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Go to AirDrop and select Everyone from the drop-down menu.
On a Mac, while modifying AirDrop settings;
Step 1: Select AirDrop from the Finder Window.
Step 2: Select Everyone from the drop-down menu next to the setting prefaced with allow me to be discovered by:.
2. Toggle
Toggling. It is not possible to switch settings between two separate alternatives. To use AirDrop, both Bluetooth and Wifi must be functional. If a difficulty arises, it is recommended that you reconnect the Wifi and Bluetooth by turning them off and on again.
Follow these instructions to turn off WiFi on your iPhone or iPad:
Step 1: From the home screen, go to settings.
Step 2: Connect to the internet through Wifi.
Step 3: Double-click the WiFi switch, the first time to turn it off and the second time to turn it back on.
Follow these instructions to turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad:
Step 1: From the home screen, go to settings.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Double-click the Bluetooth switch, the first time to turn it off and the second time to turn it back on.
Follow these steps to turn off Wifi and Bluetooth on your Mac:
Step 1: Select Wifi and Bluetooth one by one from the menu bar.
Step 2: Click Wifi to turn it off, then click it again to turn it back on.
Step 3: Click Bluetooth to turn it off, then click it again to turn it on.
Turning the aeroplane mode on and off can also help. Toggle all of the radios at the same time after turning on Airplane mode.
3. Perform a Hard Reset
If none of the other options work, try resetting the hard drive. First, save a backup of your data because resetting can result in data loss. To reset the hard disc on various devices, follow the procedures below.
If you have an iPhone 6 or previous device,
Step 1: Press and hold the sleep button on the right side of the device.
Step 2: While holding the sleep button, press and hold the Home button.
Step 3: Continue to hold both buttons down until the screen returns to the Apple logo.
For the iPhone 7
Step 1: Press and hold both the Volume Down and Sleep buttons at the same time.
Step 2: Hold the button down until the screen goes blank and the Apple logo appears again.
Step 3: Press the button again and wait for the restart procedure to finish.
For iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 13 series, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 13 series;
Step 1: Press and hold the Volume Up button.
Step 2: Press and hold the Volume Down button for a few seconds.
Step 3: Hold the Side button down until you see the Apple logo, then release it.
For the iPad;
Step 1: There is a button on the top of the iPad that may be used to switch it on and off. Press the button for a few seconds.
Step 2: A slider with the words Slide to Turn Off will display; drag your finger along it to turn it off.
Step 3: To switch it back on, press and hold the top button until the apple logo displays on the screen.
Macintosh;
Step 1: Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the menubar.
Step 2: After that, select Restart to begin the reboot procedure.
Step 3: After it has finished rebooting, turn it on again to verify if the problem has been resolved or is still present.
4. Check for Updates
It’s conceivable that the cause of the AirDrop not working issue is due to outdated or incompatible iOS versions. Many issues, such as Bluetooth connectivity and software functionality, can be resolved with the current version.
Follow the steps outlined below to update the system on your iPhone or iPad:
Step 1: Go to the device’s settings.
Step 2: Go to System Update after clicking on General.
Step 3: As soon as new information becomes available, update the system.
Follow these procedures to update your Mac’s system:
Step 1: Select System Preferences from the Apple menu.
Step 2: Click Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the updates.
5. Reset Networks
The AirDrop will not operate if you don’t have a good internet connection. The problem can be solved by resetting the network settings, which will allow you to reconnect to Wifi and Bluetooth.
Though resetting the device might be harmful and result in data loss, it is necessary when AirDrop is not working and other options have failed to repair the problem.
The problem can be solved by resetting the network settings, which will allow you to reconnect to Wifi and Bluetooth.
Following the reset, each Bluetooth and Wifi device must be reconnected and checked to ensure that it is now receiving the necessary connection to allow the transfer. Follow the procedures below to reset the network:
Using an iPhone or iPad
Step 1: Navigate to the Settings menu.
Step 2: Go to the General tab.
Step 3: Select Reset Network Settings from the Reset menu. It can request a passcode, which you must input and confirm.
On a Mac,
Step 1: Go to the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 2: Go to System Preferences and select Networks from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: On the left, a list of networks will appear. Choose them.
Step 4: At the bottom of the list, you’ll see a minus sign; click on it, then on the plus sign to reset it.
6. Get In Touch With Apple
If the AirDrop still does not function after attempting all of the techniques, there may be a technical issue. The final step is to contact Apple, as they can only fix the problem at this point because it is beyond the user’s capabilities.
There is an official website for customer assistance; submit your question there, or call the customer service number provided. If you don’t hear back, take your device to a nearby Apple shop to be checked.
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Conclusion
AirDrop allows you to wirelessly transfer files and documents from one Apple device to another. Only Apple users have access to this feature; Android users do not.
It is simple to transfer data by simply turning on WiFi and Bluetooth, however AirDrop does not always work, which is a typical issue among its customers.
This can happen if there is no internet connection, if there is a problem, or if the wifi or Bluetooth is turned off. Because AirDrop is a very helpful function offered by Apple for sharing, there are several approaches to fix the issue of AirDrop Not Working as discussed above.
