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User profile for user: AarneA
AarneA Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Airdrop between my own devices not working without WiFi

What could be the reason that I can't send pictures using Airdrop from my phone (13 pro) to my iPad (pro 3. gen) or vice versa, if the devices aren’t connected to WiFi? Both devices have OS 17.0.3. Bluetooth is on in both devices.

When trying to send from the phone, the message "Rejected", when sending from the Pad, "Failed". (Sorry, my devices work in Finnish, so these English messages are my guessing and also, I don’t have any idea, what’s the difference between these two message’s meanings.

Airdrop from my phone to a friend’s iPhone works perfectly without WiFi.

I think this constant not working started after the iOS 17 updates, previously it has been sporadic.

I have tried Airdrop settings "Contacts only" and "Everyone for 10 minutes" on both devices.

Posted on Oct 15, 2023 2:36 AM

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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
415,008 points

Posted on Oct 15, 2023 2:49 AM

Before you begin

  • Make sure 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'll need to have your Apple ID's email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work.
  • If you're not in their Contacts, ask them to set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

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


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User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
415,008 points

Oct 15, 2023 2:49 AM in response to AarneA

Before you begin

  • Make sure 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'll need to have your Apple ID's email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work.
  • If you're not in their Contacts, ask them to set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

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


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User profile for user: AarneA
AarneA Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Oct 20, 2023 1:40 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you for your reply. I checked and all settings you mentioned are (were already) OK. 


This is how my Airdrop works when trying to send a photo with different WiFi settings.

And remember, both devices are my own.


WiFi off in both devices: Rejected.

Wifi on only in the sending device: Rejected

WiFi on only in the receiving device: Success.

WiFi on in both devices: Success.


I tried all these from the phone to the pad and vice versa.

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Airdrop between my own devices not working without WiFi

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