iOS9 Airdrop to Mac not working

Trying to connect iPhone 6+ iOS9 to 2013 iMac OS X 10.10.5 via Airdrop but not showing up on iMac or iPhone, worked perfectly before iOS 9.


iPhone can Airdrop to another iPhone and iMac can Airdrop to another Mac, but not iPhone to/from Mac.


iOS update was originally done OTA and have reinstalled through iTunes.


Have tried all suggestions I have come across but still they won't connect.


Anyone have similar problems?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 21.5 in 2.9GHZ i5 16 GB

Posted on Sep 18, 2015 7:13 AM

Reply
409 replies

Jan 16, 2016 6:47 PM in response to macrobin

Yes...my Airdrop stopped working again after restarting my iPhone just a while ago. Airdrop will work between iOS devices but not with my Mac immediately. However, Handoff works.

Before this happened also. What I did is PRAM and SMC reset along with resetting the network of my iPhone, then all iOS devices were recognized on the Mac. Then, I just restarted my iPhone to be refreshed and Airdrop on Mac did not recognized all of the iOS device at home.


This is just a "maybe": this could be an operating system issue. I doubt it is a hardware issue since my iPhone and Bluetooth game controller can be recognized by my Mac, and Wi-Fi seems to be alright.

Jan 28, 2016 11:53 PM in response to thomasinBangkok

I think you are right thomasinBangkok .. my 2015 Macbook pro El Capitan 10.11.3 hardly ever connects to my iPad 4 and iPhone 6 at home or at work (iOS devices can always airdrop). But when I was on holidays staying at a hotel the Macbook airdropped all the time. The Hotel used Apple computers and I wonder if it's a compatibility issue. At home I use a new TP Link modem/router. Does anyone who has this problem with airdrop use an Airport Extreme ? I'm wondering if I should change over.

Jan 29, 2016 5:51 AM in response to macrobin

Actually, thomasinBangkok is right. At home Airdrop between my Macbook Air and iOS devices rarely work (yes...still works but under special unknown conditions), but when I bring my Mac and my iPhone 5C away from home Airdrop works even though both devices are not connected to a router. Airdrop can and will work without a connection to a router (try it outside of your home and do not connect to a router) just as long as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options for Macs and iOS devices are activated. To back this up, I tried Airdrop in different places...it was successful. Then, again failed at home. So, I just concluded (1) that there may be some routers that interfere the functionality of Airdrop when trying to make a connection between Macs and iOS devices, or (2) both OSX and iOS may need another update to improve Wi-Fi stability to make connection between Macs and iOS devices.

Jan 31, 2016 7:16 AM in response to jamespaski

What I did and seem to work was, took my Mac, 5s and iPad mini, to a friend's house.There Airdrop was always working. Then prevent the devices from going to sleep kept the airdrop on to see each other and returned home. Airdrop kept working with the same router settings etc which had 2hours before I go to my friend's house. This is not a Fix but it's a trick.


Regarding routers I had done several tests with many different routers without having any success.
I even used a similar router hardware and firmware version to the router at my friend's house were Airdrop always work. No success!



Fix is something that if EVERYONE who has the problem follow it the problem will be solved. Up to now NO FIX just many tricks...

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.

iOS9 Airdrop to Mac not working

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