for some reason, i can’t access airdrop at all after i updated my phone. i have an iphone 11 and an ipad air 5th gen. also updated my ipad and airdrop is also disabled. it wont let me press and hold to select who can send me a picture. i also dont have the option when i select a photo from my camera roll to send. the airdrop function doesn’t show up and i cant find it anywhere. it worked before i updated
iPhone 11, 16
Hi ae018,
Let's check to see if you're able to turn on AirDrop in Settings. Here are instructions:
"To choose who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop:
Go to Settings, then tap General.
Tap AirDrop, then choose an option."
How to use AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
If you're still having trouble after trying that, we'd suggest contacting Apple Support so that they can investigate this further for you: Get Support
Cheers!
Hello ae018,
If restarting the iPad using these steps found at Restart your iPad - Apple Support do not help, we would suggest reaching out to Apple Support using this link: Get Support
How to restart an iPad without a Home button
1. Press and hold either volume button and the top button until the power off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo.
Have a good day.
After a call to Apple support last night, we inferred that the issue's cause is my outdated OS Catalina. He tried several things (most I'd already tried and failed) but no-go. He encouraged me to attempt an Airdrop from my iPhone 13 to another Apple device (my neighbor). I just "upgraded" from a 2009 Macbook to this 2012 (Catalina max) one so my iPhone would appear in the Finder. That's all I essentially needed w/an upgrade. This allows me painless mp3s uploading for a change, putting the unfriendly Apple Music out of my life for good. Mission accomplished there, but here comes the endless process of iPhone vs Macbook obsoleting. My iPhone 13 is waaay out of balance w/a 2012 Macbook Pro in that regard. I'm too old for this game and will limit my software upgrading per usual. As far as Air Drop is concerned, I'll email .jpgs to myself like the good ol' daze.
Time to take my mp3s out for another walk. :D
Thanks for the update. Same problem, but the source differs bet you and I; my Screen Time has never been enabled in my iPhone. Since the 16.6 update Air Drop continues showing in my iPhone and Macbook, but the phone no longer shows in the Air Drop window.
Airdrop was disabled in Screen Time settings. In screen time, under content and privacy restrictions, in allowed apps, check if airdrop is enabled! Hope this helps anyone else with this same problem!
hi jeff,
ive already tried this approach, however the setting for airdrop has somehow disappeared from both my phone and ipad. nowhere to be found.
thanks, but i've done that too on both my ipad and iphone
Are your devices managed by an organisation, such as a school or workplace, or are they your own? If they're managed by an organisation, the administrators may have disabled AirDrop.
nope, they're mine
still unavailable 😓
Precisely why I hesitate to update software. My AirDrop has disappeared since updating to iOS 16.6 too. SMH
Just today I factory reset my ipad air 5th gen. The software is 16.6 and airdrop is now available.
airdrop disabled in ios 16.6
