User profile for user: Karen Sue
Karen Sue Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Airdrop spontaneously stopped working

My iPhone XR will no longer airdrop to my Mac running ios Big Sur.


My Mac shows up under devices, but all I get is "Waiting...


I've restarted both devices, made sure settings for wifi and bluetooth were on, turned bluetooth off and on, disconnected and reconnected with wifi, and my phone is not locked. I'm going to try iPhone to iPad next, to see if I can narrow down the problem.

Any ideas?


UPDATE: It won't work with my iPad, either.

iPhone XR

Posted on Jun 2, 2023 3:32 PM

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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
User level: Level 10
432,762 points

Posted on Jun 3, 2023 12:35 AM

Please check your Screen Time restrictions on your iPhone.


Screen Time

Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps > AirDrop [Enable]

Watch the GIF below



If you have Contacts Only turned On then please add Apple ID of the sending device to your list of contacts on the receiving device. See the pic at the bottom of this post for better clarity


Before you begin

  • 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.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
User level: Level 10
432,762 points

Jun 3, 2023 12:35 AM in response to Karen Sue

Please check your Screen Time restrictions on your iPhone.


Screen Time

Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps > AirDrop [Enable]

Watch the GIF below



If you have Contacts Only turned On then please add Apple ID of the sending device to your list of contacts on the receiving device. See the pic at the bottom of this post for better clarity


Before you begin

  • 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.


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Airdrop spontaneously stopped working

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