I upgraded my IOS across devices and now I can't seem to get Airdrop to work. Before anyone goes there, they are both on the same IOS, Wifi is enabled, Bluetooth is enabled, the firewall is off.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: IOS 26 and Airdrop
iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 26
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.
The same thing has happened to me. I have already put in six or seven hours troubleshooting and I wish I had checked this thread first. Please get this software bug fix as soon as possible.
I am also having problem with AirDrop after upgrading to iOS 26. I tried sending files to another iPhone that's on iOS 18, and also to my Mac that's on macOS 26. Both having very poor experience. The photos are technically sending but they're taking forever! I am just trying to send around 19 photos, and they're taking literally 15 minutes to send.
For me, exchanging contacts again by placing the tops of the iPhones near (not exchanging files yet) did the trick… if the contacts duplicate, just link the new contact to the main one… this should enable contact sharing again
I. Facing the same issue. Can't send to my mac or iPad.
After updating my iPhone 13 to version 26.0, I can no longer use AirDrop. Could this be due to incompatibility between different iPhone versions (iOS 18 and iOS 26)?
Same issue after updating to iOS 26. Fine prior.
AirDrop not working after iOS 26 upgrade on iPhone
