AirDrop issues after macOS and iOS update

Omg. I finally got mine working ever since issue after the 26.2 upgrade. I have to make space for the 26.3 and still couldn't airdrop to or from MacBook Pro to iPhone 13. I just had a thought to try to match my wifi in my phone with the MacBook. I used 5G in MacBook, but not in phone. In phone, same wifi, but not the 5G version. So I thought to put phone in 5G as well, and boom. It's finally working as it should. I never had this issue before until 26.2 upgrade. I hope it's something similar in your case so you can be relieved of this sheer annoyance.

If you are still having issues, this thread may have some things you can check. At least on some systems, it appears that the Bluetooth code is falling over silently and needs a restart. There are other ways that configuration issues on either device can cause similar symptoms.

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

Airdrop issues are not always the fault of the iOS or macOS update!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: OS — iOS 26, About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

This may help you --> AirDrop request declined and does not work - Apple Community

This issue is surely not related to the iOS or macOS update

I conducted a thorough search of this forum using the term 'AirDrop after iOS' and uncovered numerous posts detailing similar issues across various iOS updates. This suggests that iOS updates may not consistently be the root cause. Below are a handful of examples extracted from the search results:

• Re: Airdrop auto declining since iOS 17.0.3 update
• Re: airdrop not displayed after upgraded to ios 17.1.1
• Airdrop does not work after MacOS 13.2 and iOS 16.3 updates
• Not able to receive files with airdrop ios 17
• AirDrop no longer working on iOS 14
• Two Years ago-->AirDrop on iPad Air 5 and iPhone 11 Pro stopped working after update to latest iOS
• Airdrop no longer working with ios 15.6.1 update
• AirDrop disappeared after upgrading to iOS 9
• 6 Years ago --> iphone airdrop 'continues to fail' after iOS upgrade..

Reports of device lag appear across all models and iOS versions in this forum, suggesting the issue is device-specific rather than tied to any particular iOS version or model.

Ok, here’s the “right question.” If a core component of the iPad OS worked, and the operating system was modified (updated) and now no longer works, why is that failure not a consequent of the modification? It’s been more than six months and three updates since iPd OS 26 issued, and Air Drop still doesn’t work. Deflecting the blame does not remove the obligation of Apple to fix it.