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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

Mencelus

Level 1

11 points

Oct 21, 2015 9:33 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

Just wanted to say that I updated last night and tested it, and yeah, the problem for me at least was solved. In fact, for the first time ever, Airdrop worked really fast (i.e. it didn't take forever for my iPad and Mac to find each other). So, it works now. I even was able to send myself some stuff. Handoff still works perfectly.

donkermo

Level 1

14 points

Oct 21, 2015 10:16 PM in response to none.s

I got my Handoff and Instant Hotspot working for now, AirDrop still does not work.

Turn off Bluetooth on your Mac
Delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist
Turn Bluetooth back on

Perhaps someone figures out if something similar is to be done for AirDrop to breathe again?

Oct 21, 2015 10:16 PM in response to donkermo

You won't believe me, dude. It made my AirDrop breathe again(and it's FAST now, like really fast), but my Handoff is still broken.

Oct 21, 2015 10:29 PM in response to donkermo

AH YES! FINALLY!

Steps I've taken.

1. Updated to 10.11.1

2. AirDrop and Handoff weren't working, got angry

3. Reset both PRAM and SMC

4. Still not working

5. Turned off Bluetooth

6. Removed file: /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist

7. Turned Bluetooth on

8. AirDrop is working now, Handoff is not

9. Signed out of iCloud on my Mac

10. Signed out of iCloud on my iPhone

11. Signed in to iCloud on my iPhone

12. Signed in to iCloud on my Mac

Oct 21, 2015 11:10 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

WHen you delete the icloud said if you want to delete contacts or let a copy in the mac, what can i do?

donkermo

Level 1

14 points

Oct 21, 2015 11:12 PM in response to SAABIONDO

They are backed up in iCloud, so once you log back in, they will be restored

Oct 21, 2015 11:27 PM in response to donkermo

The first step work for me, airdrop ok.

I Supose that if I have 3 dispositives, i must go out from icloud in all.

thank's

leyyinad

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2015 11:52 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

Thank you very much, Alex. Went half through your list and after step 7 Handoff as well as AirDrop started working again.

Oct 22, 2015 1:13 AM in response to leyyinad

for me now airdrop is working fine, no handoff from mac to iPhone/ipad. Handoff works great from iPhone to iPad

DrPKR

Level 1

8 points

Oct 22, 2015 2:50 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

Done update to 10.11.1 - All working fine now. Huurah

mansorea

Level 1

5 points

Oct 22, 2015 3:55 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

i just update and evrything its ok.

MAKMAX

Level 1

0 points

Oct 22, 2015 4:29 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

I updated my MBP and my iPhone 6, but still no Air Drop. I followed AlexWoodblock steps, but still no AirDrop. One thing I noticed that Bluetooth on my MBP detects my iPhone. That's all.

Disappointed

MickNL

Level 1

13 points

Oct 22, 2015 4:38 AM in response to MickNL

Just installed the OSX 10.11.1 update and iOS 9.1.

Airdrop is working now between iOS and OSX and ... super duper fast.

Had no issues with Handoff before and still working now (although also gained speed!)

Cheers

none.s

Level 1

14 points

Oct 22, 2015 6:07 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

Try to reset iPhone Network Settings, after these steps, AirDrop and Handoff working NOW!

Thanks!! donkermo and AlexWoodblock

luca1967

Level 1

0 points

Oct 22, 2015 8:03 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

just updated to 10.11.1 .. still not working air drop. any suggestion ? Tried even to reset network settings of iPhone 6 and to erase and reconnect in Bluetooth preferences in Mac book pro late 2014

Handoff and AirDrop not working in El Capitan