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Handoff and AirDrop not working in El Capitan

After upgrading to OS X 10.11 El Capitan, my Handoff and AirDrop stopped working between iOS 9.0.2 on iPhone 5S and my MacBook Pro Late 13. I've tried logging out of iCloud account on both devices numerous times, it didn't help.


For my friend with MacBook Air and iPhone 5S with same iOS version it works flawlessly.


Did anyone encounter similar issue, and if so, how did you solve it?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 9.0.2, plus iPhone 5S with iOS 9.0.2

Posted on Oct 1, 2015 6:18 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 1, 2015 10:56 AM

Hey there AlexWoodblock,


I understand that you are seeing some issues with AirDrop and some Continuity features like Handoff as well. I have a couple of suggestions for troubleshooting these issues, the first of which can be found here:

Tips for sending items

If you don't see the recipient in the AirDrop window or sheet:

  • Make sure that both devices have AirDrop turned on and are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other.
  • If you're sending to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
    • Your Mac needs to be a 2012 or newer model with OS X Yosemite or later.
    • The iOS device must have Personal Hotspot turned off in Settings > Cellular.
  • If you're sending to a Mac:
    • If the receiving Mac is using OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion, or Lion, it needs to have an AirDrop window open: choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder.
    • If the receiving Mac is a 2012 or older model, click “Don't see who you're looking for?” in the AirDrop window or sharing sheet of the sending Mac. Then click “Search for an Older Mac.”
    • Find out if the Mac has “Block all incoming connections” turned on in Security & Privacy preferences. A Mac won't receive items using AirDrop if this setting is turned on.
  • If AirDrop on the receiving device is set up to receive items from contacts only, make sure that both devices are signed in to iCloud. Also make sure that the email address or phone number assocated with your Apple ID is in the Contacts app of the receiving device.

Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203106


Next, use these steps to troubleshoot your Continuity features:


Get help using Continuity with your iOS device or your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204678


Take care, and thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities.

316 replies

Oct 7, 2015 10:30 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

I have the same problem as a lot of you; Continuity and Handoff work fine, Airdrop does not. As a university teacher, this was the main reason I got all Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad) so I could transfer the file and pdfs I need easily between all my devices. Just tried it again this morning and nothing is working, and of course, all of it stopped after the switch to El Capitan, as far as I can tell. What gives Apple! This is the major reason a lot of us bought the products in the first place (the seamless fitting together) and now it isn't.

Oct 7, 2015 10:52 PM in response to am285

The thing is, there's no problem with AirDrop between two iPhones running the latest iOS 9 and there's also no problem between a MacBook Pro and an iPhone as of yesterday's attempt on the subject, so I have to agree in part. On the other hand though, where the annoying part kicks in, is the moment when you try to do this between two MacBooks. They don't even see each other, no matter what. That side has never ever worked the moment they've released Yosemite.


iCloud or otherwise, the problem still persists in this way, which keeps me from being completely satisfied.

Oct 8, 2015 9:29 PM in response to MAKMAX

I'll throw a little more fuel on the fire...


Still on Yosemite on my Macbook Pro Retina. iOS 9.0.2 on my iPhone 6 Plus.


Continuity is not working for iMessage. (This follows a full reset on the phone, in an attempt to correct the screen rotation problems.)


El Cap may not be the problem.


Edit since I forgot to add: when I go into the phone's Settings / Messages / Send & Receive, I see the email accounts associated with iMessage but my phone number doesn't display the check mark. Instead I have the spinning "attempting to update" icon next to the number.

Oct 9, 2015 7:21 AM in response to haginile

Tried handoff on iOS 9.1 PB 4 and El Capitan (Macbook Air 13)


  • Messages, Calendar, Notes, Mail, Keynote, Notes, Numbers all work bidirectionally.
  • Issue with Calls - Can call out sometimes. Incoming calls cannot be picked up on the Mac. Unresolved.


Steps taken


  1. Upgraded Yosemite to El Capitan. No hitches.
  2. iOS moved to PB4 from 9.0.
  3. Uninstall and reinstall Keynote, Notes, Numbers.
  4. The upgrade to PB4 had messed up my settings and had to refresh them for iCloud and created all email accounts from scratch.
  5. Bluetooth pairing had to be done.
  6. Facebook had to be disabled and reenabled.

Oct 9, 2015 11:51 PM in response to OmarIsRad

I now have the PB4 of OS X 10.11 on my MacBook and the PB3 of iOS 9.1 on my iPad mini 2. Still no handoff, no airdrop and no personal hotspot between those two devices. Still everything working great between iOS devices.

The only thing, that works perfectly are calls from my Macbook over the iPhone. Works both ways, calling and receiving calls.

Oct 10, 2015 10:40 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

In my case,

MBP 2013 Late with 10.11

iPhone 6S Plus with 9.0.2

iPod Touch 6 with 9.0.2

all devices connect with the same WiFi, with Bluetooth ON

1. AirDrop & Handoff works on ALL apps between my 2 iOS 9.0.2 devices iPhone 6S Plus & iPod Touch 6

2. AirDrop on Mac can not discover the iOS devices. BUT, when the 2 iOS devices open the sharing (open photo and share) at the same time, the Mac can see the iOS devices.

3. Handoff ONLY works on Phone Call between iOS & OS X.

Handoff and AirDrop not working in El Capitan

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