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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

appaday

Level 1

6 points

Oct 23, 2015 12:42 PM in response to muffco

After updating both El Capitan and iOS9.1 it still didn't work. Then i deleted the com.bluetooth file mentioned and Air Drop worked instantly.

However, when i attempt to pair he iPhone 6s to the macbook in bluetooth, it connects in the mac, but on the phone when it shows up in bluetooth, it says not connected. When I tap it to connect, it gives me an error saying 'connection unsuccessful Macbook Pro is not supported Forget Device.

Weird. Also I've never been able to see "handoff" in action. Isn't an open email supposed to sync automatically across devices. I can save to drafts folder but I think that's different from what the handoff feature is supposed to do. Anyone?

Oct 23, 2015 6:10 PM in response to muffco

It doesn't require bluetooth pairing. All you need is to have bluetooth turned on in both the phone and the mac, for the two devices to be on the same WiFi network, and for both devices to be signed using the same account to iCloud.

argel_ph

Level 1

8 points

Oct 24, 2015 1:55 AM in response to muffco

What do you mean by you have to unlock the device (see the app icons)? Can you please give us the proper details. Not everyone here is a tech savvy.

argel_ph

Level 1

8 points

Oct 24, 2015 1:58 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

Just updated to to El capitan 10.11.1, but still not solving the issue.

Apple, please do something fast. I thought the latest update posted would help us solved our headaches.

Oct 24, 2015 7:09 PM in response to donkermo

God bless Your family and all of Your kids 🙂 🙂 🙂 It worked! I deleted com.apple.bluetooth.plist and Air Drop is back!!!

mansorea

Level 1

5 points

Oct 25, 2015 1:46 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

i get new iPod touch 6 G , Airdrop and Handoff work fine with my MBP , iPhone and ipad , first the ipod handoff not work with mac but after I search by bluetooth and off / on it , its work between it now.

Vian Cai

Level 1

0 points

Oct 25, 2015 7:59 AM in response to appaday

Hey appaday,

I have the exactly same problem.

Don't know why...

I still cannot use Airdrop or Handoff...

FVBR

Level 1

0 points

Oct 25, 2015 8:15 AM in response to donkermo

I did this, and AirDrop is working again just fine. Thanks!

Oct 26, 2015 12:15 AM in response to appaday

I reset my Wi fi as per community suggestion and AirDrop now perfect

Oct 26, 2015 1:45 AM in response to VeradoDan

Yep. Worked for me too. Handoff was never a problem for me as it always worked but Airdrop was the problem. Did network reset on iPad but it still could not see my MBA. Then deleted the bluetooth.pls and boom, all find across iPad, iPhone and MacBook Air.

Thanks all.

Oct 27, 2015 5:24 AM in response to donkermo

cheers

Oct 27, 2015 7:51 AM in response to AlexWoodblock

You are a god. I've been having this issue for weeks, went to an apple store, they couldn't help me. Tried googling so many different things, and did so many resets to no avail. I found this forum today, and your answer solved all of the problems I was having. Thank you so incredibly much.

Oct 27, 2015 3:34 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

Thanks, this solved my Airdrop problem.

Now I still need to solve Handoff and Instant Hotspot :-)

Sinuku

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2015 8:34 PM in response to Nepomucene

Me too. Airdrop is fine, but still have no clue to solve handoff issue. By the way, the SMS relay is crappy too, when I turn on sms relay from iPhone 6 to macbook, the iMessage on macbook does activate instantly but nothing pop up (no confirmation code shown)...Any help from Apple, please~~

VCMBP

Level 1

8 points

Oct 27, 2015 10:37 PM in response to AlexWoodblock

I'm not sure if anyone is having this problem of mine.

iPhone 6 Plus: iOS 9.1

Macbook Pro Retina 15" 2012: 10.11

Sending things from Mac to iPhone via airdrop is not an issue. However, sending from phone to Mac is. I can't see my Mac on the iPhone when i was trying to send a photo via airdrop. Same iCloud and apple id. Confirmed and re-login to confirm again. Deleted com.apple.bluetooth.plist and tried again. All doesn't work. Still seeing nothing on iPhone.

Handoff and AirDrop not working in El Capitan