Cannot send AirDrop to a specific contact

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Level 1

20 points

Cannot send AirDrop to a specific contact

Hello,

I'm a tech savvy individual, a daily AirDrop user, and I'm familiar with all of the standard ways to correct AirDrop's issues. However, I have a bizarre problem - I cannot send AirDrops to my wife's iPhone from my personal iPhone. She can AirDrop files to me and I can send her files from my business iPhone, just not my personal iPhone. Her phone just simply doesn't show up as an option for AirDrop.

This problem has sustained through multiple new iPhones (for both my wife and I) and has spanned years.

Please do not tell me to go into settings and turn AirDrop to 'Everyone'. I've tried all of the standard fixes.

Thank you in advance!

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Posted on Jan 13, 2020 9:41 AM

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Answer 1

i_rina

Community Specialist

Jan 16, 2020 7:23 AM in response to wchadm

Hello wchadm,

After reviewing your post, it sounds like there is trouble using AirDrop with a specific iPhone. It looks like you have already done some troubleshooting to solve this issue. Even though there is a chance that you've tried these steps already, I would recommend you follow every step and let us know if the issue persists.

"Make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
Check that you and the person you're sending to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
Check if the person you're sending to has their AirDrop set to receive from Contacts Only. If they do, and you’re in their Contacts, they need to have your email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work.
If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

You can put your AirDrop receiving setting to Contacts Only or Receiving Off at any time to control who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop."

How to use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Please don't hesitate to let us know if the steps resolved your issue or if you need additional assistance.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Have a nice day.

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Answer 2

wchadm Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 2, 2020 12:51 PM in response to i_rina

Thanks for the response i_rina. Unfortunately, I really don't think this is user error.

Phones are nearby and within bluetooth/wifi range. (I can airdrop successfully from other device)
Wifi and Bluetooth are on, hotspot off
AirDrop set to 'Everyone' on both devices

It seems like it has something to do with iCloud. After some experimentation, I found out that when I log out of iCloud I'm able to send her an AirDrop. When I sign back in, I'm no longer able to send again.

Any ideas?

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Answer 3

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Feb 3, 2020 3:48 PM in response to wchadm

Hey wchadm,

Thanks for the update. If it is working while you are not signed in with the Apple ID, are you signed in with the Apple ID on the other devices?

"Just make sure that both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID."

How to use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Have a good one.

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Answer 4

wchadm Author

Level 1

20 points

Feb 3, 2020 4:17 PM in response to jeremy_v

Hi Jeremy,

My wife and I have different Apple IDs. I'm able to successfully send AirDrop's to phones with various Apple IDs, just not my wife's.

Thanks anyways ::shrug::

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Answer 5

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Feb 4, 2020 12:29 PM in response to wchadm

Hey wchadm,

Thank you for using the Apple Support Community. Due to the nature of your issue, you may find more information by using another one of Apple's support resources.

Get Support

Take care.

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Cannot send AirDrop to a specific contact

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