AirDrop is not working after new iOS 17 update

After updating both my phone and iPad to the iOS 17, my airdrop has been giving me problems. Although my iPad can airdrop to other people’s phone it cannot airdrop to my phone. And my phone does not pick up on my iPad nor any other devices. I am not able to airdrop something from my iPad if it’s from my phone. It also automatically declines when I try to airdrop something to my phone, or my phone won’t pick it up. I’ve tried everything that has been recommended on the internet but it doesn’t seem to help.


[Re-titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 7:38 AM

Reply
114 replies

Oct 26, 2023 4:06 AM in response to Tul1p_

I’ve just updated my iPhone and iPad to iOS 17.1 and rebooted both devices but airdrop is still not working. One suggestion above advised turning ExpressVPN off. So I turned ExpressVPN off on both devices and airdrop works. But it’s very annoying that every time I want to use airdrop I have to turn VPN off, then use airdrop and then turn VPN back on. That’s not convenient but it is a work around. I have reported this to Apple using the link above.

Nov 6, 2023 9:26 AM in response to af_unix

Agree. There has not been a fix for this. I'm getting a great many no-Internet messages which may or may not go away after I check wifi and VPN. I'm now getting these while not on wifi, but on 5G. They usually correct, but only after I verify that yes there is a wifi connection already. Today I got a failed airdrop to mac from 12mini (which has worked flawlessly up until 17) and the VPN was not on. In fact when it finally did work the VPN WAS ON.

Apple, Apple, Apple...

Nov 6, 2023 10:38 AM in response to Tul1p_

My iPad, iOS 16.7.2 and my iPhone, iOS 17.1 aren’t on talking terms anymore. I could take a photo with my iPhone, and airdrop it across to my iPad to edit/modify/change. Something as fundamental as this which was working just fine a few days ago, shouldn’t be lost because of an iOS upgrade. Not everyone can keep up with the Joneses.😊

Nov 6, 2023 6:28 PM in response to Tul1p_

This is happening to me but only on my iPad and only with my own devices that appear under “My Devices”.

I can airdrop to people near me over bluetooth airdrop, and they can airdrop to me. I can airdrop from my phone TO my iPad, but if I try to share anything with my iPhone, it automatically says declined without ever getting a notification on my phone. Both are updated to the latest software. No idea what’s going on.


AirDrop is not working after new iOS 17 update

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.