You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

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.

View in context

316 replies

Gazous

Level 1

4 points

Oct 22, 2015 11:20 AM in response to luca1967

Still not working for me even after try all recommended steps including iCloud Log In and Log out...

vanagsg

Level 1

5 points

Oct 22, 2015 11:27 AM in response to Gazous

Before Airdop was working only at work, not at home.

Handoff was working fine everywhere.

Today after 10.11.1 and 9.1 update I reset SMC and PRAM on MacBook Pro. And on iPhone 6 Reset Network setings. And now I have also Airdrop everywhere.

vanagsg

Level 1

5 points

Oct 22, 2015 11:31 AM in response to Gazous

Tray to reset network settings and after don't connect to any Wifi. Airdrop must work without connection to any wifi access point, but wifi and bluetooth must be ON on both devices.

vanagsg

Level 1

5 points

Oct 22, 2015 11:40 AM in response to vanagsg

SMC reset descriptions are also different on net. Last I followed:

1. Sleep

2. Restart

3. Shut Down

All from Apple menu.

Sorry, I read article till the end - this is not SMC reset.

Correct was what I found first.

Oct 22, 2015 11:35 AM in response to donkermo

All perfect, after your steps. Handoff and airdrop working...But I don't have airdrop between iphone Safari and Ipad or MBA, only in this direction.

It seems a problem with the icloud of the safari's iphone...

please, now a little help, the big problem solved.

THANK'S

Oct 22, 2015 11:54 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

Has everyone MADE SURE they deleted that preferences file referenced earlier? ONLY after I turned off Bluetooth on my Mac, deleted that file (/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist) and turned Bluetooth back on did it begin to work again. Now everything is working as it should be – possibly even faster than before!

Oct 22, 2015 12:13 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

thank you so much Alex everithing works again perfectly !

Saka5

Level 1

4 points

Oct 22, 2015 3:52 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

I tried everything, including PRAM and SMC reset, deleting com.apple.Bluetooth.plist, turning BT on/off... AirDrop simply wouldn't work between my MBP and iPhone 6.

Finally, the reason was really stupid: my WiFi router broadcasts on 2 bands - 2.4GHz and 5GHz, with same SSID. MBP was on one channel while iPhone was on the other, practically on different networks. As soon as I turned off 2.4GHz frequency on the router, forcing them both to connect to the same channel, AirDrop started working.

Hope this will help someone.

Oct 22, 2015 10:58 PM in response to SAABIONDO

Safari Handoff solved. It Was a hidden mode of Safari!!.

Thank's again

Oct 22, 2015 11:42 PM in response to Saka5

I thought this might be the answer because still nothing works but here's my story: I haven't been able to get my iPhone and Macbook to show up on each other's airdrop since El Capitan update and have tried everything in this thread.

However - after update to iOS 9.1 --

iPhone still will not connect to MBP

I can get my MBP to see both my iPad and iPhone on airdrop but only after adding iPad to the mix.

iPhone does not connect to MBP if iPad is not on airdrop.

iPad and IPhone only show iOS devices on their respective airdrops but not MBP.

Seems like no devices like MBP... iPad sees all, and MBP sees iPad instantly.

Need iPhone to connect to MBP and MBP to show up on all airdrops. HALP!

Macbook 2014 with OSX 10.11.1

iPhone 6 Plus with iOS 9.1

iPad Air 2 with iOS 9.1

Oct 23, 2015 12:15 AM in response to navajoblanco

The same case and configuration for me, but I solved it after dokerman solution.

ePing

Level 1

0 points

Oct 23, 2015 3:49 AM in response to Mr Sciarri

Update to 10.11.1, but Handoff is still not working 😠

ePing

Level 1

0 points

Oct 23, 2015 4:01 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

try everything you say, but Handoff still not working, any suggestions?

Oct 23, 2015 5:14 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

hello buddy.....10.11.1 (15B42) el capitan on MBA 14, air drop not working with iOS 9.1 for iPad mini 2 and iPhone 5s.....but iOS to iOS airdrop working.

still the problem persist of its just my mac issue...please share your views.

muffco

Level 1

0 points

Oct 23, 2015 5:53 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

Hey,

i had the same airdrop Problem, it vanished 🙂 after updating today to El capitan 10.11.1

I also figured it out that in case you want to airdrop files from the MBP to the iOS 9.1 Device:

- you have to unlock the device (see the app icons)

I hope this helps somebody.

Yours Andy

Handoff and AirDrop not working in El Capitan