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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

Top-ranking reply

braden85

Community Specialist

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.

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316 replies

Oct 17, 2015 11:55 PM in response to IkechukwuNwanze

I have exactly the same problem! I've just re install El Capitan on my Macbook Air Early 2014, didn't work at all, Handoff is not working neither Continuity everything happened just after I updated to iOS 9 and got El Capitan on my mac, BUT I tried Airdrop on my brother's Air 2015 with El Capitan, it worked just fine so what is going on?!

Oct 18, 2015 3:51 AM in response to michalook

Thank you very much for your advice Michal but it didn't work for me...

vanagsg

Level 1

5 points

Oct 18, 2015 4:11 AM in response to John_Karas

Michal, not helped for me.

At work MBP 2015 ElCapitan has Airdrop between iPhone, but not at home.

At work after on phone select to Foget used WiFi and reconnect again, Airdrop also is gone.

At home only once for a half second Airdrop was shown, but I didn't found some logic.

It's only OSX El Capitan problem, maybe related to some security or used WiFi connection.

Oct 18, 2015 4:59 AM in response to Shangelios

Really I don't know what's going on. Before a couple of minutes I tried again to connect my iPad with my Mac following the steps below on iPad:

Settings>Turn On Bluetooth>On the "DEVICES" window I tapped my Mac>Connected.

Simultaneously on my Mac a Pairing Process Request showed up in which I clicked "Pair". After that on bluetooth preferences on my Mac the iPad was connected. However, on iPad's top left corner next to "iPad" the WiFi symbol was gone and replaced with a "pairing symbol?". The aforementioned may sound somewhat childish, but when I was doing the pairing process from my Mac (with the code), the devices couldn't connect. My iPad showed up for a fraction of a second on my Mac (AirDrop) but eventually didn't work, it's still dead.

On iPad.

On my iMac.

Oct 18, 2015 11:42 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

Same problem. My Macbook pro (13' retina ,2015 early,EI capitan ) can not search my Air2 and 6 plus (both in IOS 9.0.2). But my Air2 and 6 plus can work well in airdrop!!!!!! Can anyone help me to solve this problem??

Oct 21, 2015 11:54 AM in response to shiTang525

Same problem after 10.11.1, please Apple SOLVE IT....

vanagsg

Level 1

5 points

Oct 21, 2015 11:57 AM in response to SAABIONDO

Same for me.

HaraldS

Level 2

361 points

Oct 21, 2015 12:00 PM in response to SAABIONDO

Same here, no change with the update to 10.11.1

Oct 21, 2015 12:49 PM in response to HaraldS

Apple support said to me that this update solve this problem. That they can't do any more...

HaraldS

Level 2

361 points

Oct 21, 2015 12:52 PM in response to SAABIONDO

Well, it obviously doesn't - sigh...

Oct 21, 2015 1:07 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

Hello community,

For me the problem was fixed. My iDevices can send items via AirDrop to my Macs, and vice versa.

Oct 21, 2015 2:48 PM in response to John_Karas

Glad to hear it's solved for you. Will do the update tomorrow at work and hope it's also sorted.

Oct 21, 2015 3:03 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

The update...DID NOT SOLVE ANYTHING. Apple, are you even trying? iOS 9.1 is still buggy, and AirDrop and Continuity still not working, even after I provided countless bug reports and logs. F this, I'm going to Android.

Oh, and PRAM and SMC reset also did not solve anything. Did I mentioned I've tried to log out of iCloud too?

Oct 21, 2015 3:57 PM in response to none.s

The same for me, MACBOOK see the other two IOS, but not only one.

none.s

Level 1

14 points

Oct 21, 2015 6:37 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

EL Capitan 10.11.1 now, Handoff & AirDrop still NOT working.

Please FIX it !!!

Handoff and AirDrop not working in El Capitan