HT204144: How to use AirDrop with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn about How to use AirDrop with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
hanmacjkt
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: my airdrop isn't working

hello,

it's been a couple month that my airdrop isn't working

my macbook is OS X El capitan 10.11.2 the newest version and my iphone 6 is ios 9.2

i've read the help in apple pages still is not working

please help me!!

P.S. my bluetooth seems not working either with my phone they refuse to pair!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Dec 31, 2015 12:04 AM

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hanmacjkt

Q: my airdrop isn't working

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  • by jeffd55,

    jeffd55 jeffd55 Jan 1, 2016 11:24 AM in response to hanmacjkt
    Community Specialists
    Jan 1, 2016 11:24 AM in response to hanmacjkt

    Hello hanmacjkt,

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. 

     

    I see that your main issue is that your AirDrop is not working between your iPhone and Macbook. I also notice that your Bluetooth seems to be acting up also. Because the AirDrop can be affected by the Bluetooth problems, lets take a look at that one first. 

     

    Take a look at this article for some steps to troubleshoot your Bluetooth. 

    Get help connecting a Bluetooth accessory with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

     

    Once you have gotten the Bluetooth sorted out and working with other Bluetooth devices, you can start on the AirDrop. 

    Share content with AirDrop from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

     

    Happy New Year

  • by Nailo47,

    Nailo47 Nailo47 Feb 2, 2016 12:25 PM in response to hanmacjkt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 12:25 PM in response to hanmacjkt

    Potential Issue: "Wi-Fi Networking" is turned on.

     

    Solution: Disable "Wi-Fi Networking" and then cycle AirDrop off and back on.

    Step 1: Go to Settings > Location Services > System Services > Wi-Fi Networking

    Step 2: Disable Wi-Fi Networking

    Step 3: Cycle AirDrop off and back on. Select "Everyone".

    Step 4: Wait. The iPhone should reappear on AirDrop within seconds up to a minute. Time varies.

     

    Discussion:

    I also encountered this frustrating problem as well and I discovered this solution by resetting all of my settings first under Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. AirDrop worked immediately after I did but ceased to work once I spent 20 minutes personalizing my settings again. I retraced my steps and narrowed down the culprit to "Wi-Fi Networking". My iPhone would disappear and reappear  (not instantaneously) each time I turned Wi-Fi Networking on and off respectively. 


    Let me know if that works so I know this solution isn't just isolated to me and I can share it with others.  Thanks.