airdrop disabled in ios 16.6

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After a call to Apple support last night, we inferred that the issue's cause is my outdated OS Catalina.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.

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.

Precisely why I hesitate to update software. My AirDrop has disappeared since updating to iOS 16.6 too. SMH