Why can't I find AirDropped photos on my iPhone?

I am not able to see any photos in library, not even in Recent Days even after someone has airdropped it to my phone. While airdropping it shows received how I cannot find it anywhere in library, tried looking in Recent Days as well. I believe this is happening post recent upgrade but not sure it was happening previously also. My phone is upto date and the source phone is also up to date.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on May 18, 2025 9:09 AM

Reply
15 replies

May 19, 2025 12:37 PM in response to gazala161

gazala161 wrote:

Have accepted it and the photos were received as written on the original post. I mean I already know how airdrop works so that link is of no help to me. Thanks though.

We have to cover all bases, we assume you know what to do at our peril!

Only software can prevent you saving the airdropped images so you will have to go through your software portfolio to try and identify the culprit

Start with security software, eg VPNs, ad blockers which can be VPN based, any antivirus, none of the above being of any use at all

Then any photo editors, Photoshop, Google photos, microsoft photos etc.

After that uninstall any apps you really don't need that is image based.

May 18, 2025 12:40 PM in response to gazala161

gazala161 wrote:

What? Have been using iPhone for 8 years now, never heard of clicking on accepted post it has been received already, once you have click on accept and the media show as received, you don’t get an option of clicking on accepted again. As mentioned above, it was already received, to be more precise did the same process twice. I hope you also read that I anticipate that this might be after the recent upgrade. Also, I restarted my phone twice.

You never said in your first post that you actually accepted the AirDrop. I'm not a mind reader. When someone AirDrops something to me, I have to either Decline or Accept it. I was simply asking if you accepted it.


See this --> How to use AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


May 18, 2025 12:08 PM in response to lobsterghost1

What? Have been using iPhone for 8 years now, never heard of clicking on accepted post it has been received already, once you have click on accept and the media show as received, you don’t get an option of clicking on accepted again. As mentioned above, it was already received, to be more precise did the same process twice. I hope you also read that I anticipate that this might be after the recent upgrade. Also, I restarted my phone twice.

May 19, 2025 2:15 PM in response to gazala161

gazala161 wrote:

Google photos has always been there in my previous phone, including this one. Same for editing apps also, have always been there, not sure how this will prevent anything as Airdrop suddenly after so many years.

There is no way of knowing if third party apps will continue to function after an iOS update. Is Google Photos your main photo storage, or it runs side by side with iOS Photos app?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Why can't I find AirDropped photos on my iPhone?

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