AirDrop not working after iOS 26 upgrade on iPhone

VPNs (and NordVPN in particular) are one of the most common reasons AirDrop fails.

Why VPNs Break AirDrop

AirDrop doesn't route files through the internet. Instead, it uses Bluetooth to discover nearby devices and local Wi-Fi protocols (Apple Wireless Direct Link & mDNS/Bonjour) to stream the files directly from device to device.

When a VPN is active, especially after a major OS update, it creates a virtual wall around your network interface. It tries to route all traffic through its encrypted tunnel, which blocks local devices from discovering or talking to each other.

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How to Fix AirDrop While Keeping Your VPN Installed

If turning off the VPN completely works, but you want to keep using your VPN without AirDrop constantly failing, adjust these settings:

1. Fix NordVPN Settings

On Mac (NordVPN App):

1. Open the NordVPN app and go to Settings (gear icon) > General.

2. Find "Stay invisible on a local network" and turn it OFF. (When turned on, it blocks AirDrop and local printers).

3. Reconnect to the VPN.

On iPhone (iOS Settings):

1. Go to Settings > NordVPN.

2. Ensure Local Network permission is toggled ON.

2. Refresh Network Permissions After an Update

When macOS or iOS gets updated, network permissions for VPN extensions often get glitched:

1. Disconnect the VPN on both devices.

2. Toggle the VPN app off and back on or restart the devices.

3. AirDrop the file, then re-enable the VPN.

Upgraded and sending was working from ios26, fix was silly, we had Airdrop receive turned off. Changed to "Contacts" and it's working.

Wonder if "Off" is default and the Settings Control Panel fails to update the bits so it doesn't work for some phones.

I had this same issue for months. Tried every troubleshooting trick I could find online and none of it did squat.

Then out of nowhere I figured I would try turning off the VPN on my receiving device, and that fixed it right up.

Update to iOS 26.0.1 fixes Airdrop issues

[iPhone 13]

Changing the settings on my phone for Airdrop receiving from “everyone for 10 minutes” to “contacts only” just fixed it for me 👍

I have the same problem. I found that cancelling the first air drop and immediately re-sending by airdrop seems to work. It is a real annoyance though! The first air drop seems to start then just hang.

If the issue is only with/from/to one device, try to change the name of that device in Settings > General About > Name.

You may want to check this thread for things you can try.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256246884?sortBy=newest_first&page=1

Bonjour advertising must be enabled for airdrop to work. This fixed it for me.

update

I have my MAC book pro and IPhone 13 on different Apple IDs. While 1 belongs to my official ID other is my Personal Apple ID. when trying use Airdrop between both devices The MAC asks for Airdrop Code and upon entering the code Airdrop transfer the document from phone to MAC. However at this stage the Phone contact gets added to Other known Contact list of MAcbook. Any further Airdrop in IPhone will not discover the MAC book till the contact is in "Other Known" list. I tried restarting both devices, disabling/Enabling wifi, blue tooth, setting Airdrop for Contact only or Everyone. I tried all feasible combinations and suggestions. The only way to make successful transfer is to remove the IPhone contact card from "Other known" contact list by selecting "forgot this person". This is really annoying.

If this is a bug can someone please tell me any fix/patch/hack?

• I now have at least 4 users that updated to iOS 26 on both their iPhone 16 Pro and iPad 11 Gen3 devices.
• Then the AirDrop has stopped working and I know it was working yesterday for 1
• Working this morning for the other 2 users.
• I have verified Bluetooth & Wifi are on
• the devices are within 18" of each other
• I have had the AirDrop setting on both "Contacts Only" and ?Everybody for 10 minutes"
• Both devices have been restart multiple times
• Come on Apple... need a fix

I can also confirm the loss of Airdrop after upgrading to iOS 26 on iPhone 16 Pro and iPad Pro 2021. This is a feature I use regularly. Worked fine with the betas of iOS 26 on iPhone 16 Pro to iPad Pro running iOS 18 (didn’t do ios 26 betas on iPad). I’ve tried for 20+ minutes to play with all of the settings on both devices turning the AirDrop feature off and on and setting it to everyone for 10 minutes on both devices, making sure I’m connected to the same Wi-Fi network and making sure that Bluetooth is on for both devices, powering both devices off and back in, and still can’t get it to work. I really need a solution to this ASAP.

Same here. Can’t even engage receive airdrop let alone send from my iphone 12 mini. The phone is a whole bunch of really bad stuff, like shutting itself off, won’t turn on when the screen is touched (very, very slow, like 10 seconds), it was great the first week but past few days have been *horrible*.

Please fix this issue with the next update, it's ridiculous that I can't even airdrop with MYSELF from computer to iphone, what is the point of having Apple products if they're not even compatible with each other, let alone I cannot Airdrop with ANYONE but not even my own self?! I've told all my coworkers, friends & family absolutely DO NOT UPDATE I only wish someone would have told me, sigh.