Cannot share via AirDrop between iPhone simply by not discoverable by each other even though AirDrop is turned on on both iPhone

Question

Cannot share via AirDrop between iPhone simply by not discoverable by each other even though AirDrop is turned on on both iPhone

It's happening to my cousin's iPhones.

When I tried to share photos via AirDrop, my cousin's iPhone simply not discoverable by my iPhone even though AirDrop was turned on on both iPhones and set to everyone, bluetooth and wifi also turned on but my iPhone seemed cannot see my cousin's iPhone. This also happen when they tried to share anything via AirDrop to other iPhone (their iPhone cannot see other iPhone).

Funny thing is, my cousin's iPhone can share via AirDrop to each other iPhone and only to each other.

It's hard to explains with words so here it is:

A: cousin A's iPhone (iPhone 5s)

B: cousin B's iPhone (iPhone 5s)

C: my iPhone (iPhone 6s)

D: any other iPhone (iPhone 5, 6+, 6s)

A discoverable by B (can received and send via AirDrop)

B discoverable by A (can received and send via AirDrop)

A and B not discoverable by C and D (therefore cannot received and send via AirDrop)

C and D not discoverable by A and B (therefore cannot received and send via AirDrop)

It is weird that their iPhone only work for each other. What possibly caused this? this is my first time to see something like this.

PS: I've done restarting both iPhones and even my own iPhone, turned on and off again AirDrop, bluetooth, wifi, set AirDrop setting to everyone back and forth.

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 18, 2016 2:32 AM

Reply

Answer 1

pedro d

Community Specialist

Apr 19, 2016 9:06 AM in response to Knockingonthedoor

Hello there, Knockingonthedoor.

It sounds like you've verified that the settings returned on for AirDrop on two iPhones but can't find nearby users. The following Knowledge Base article offers up some information that may prove helpful:

Share content with AirDrop from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Share content

You can share content from apps such as Photos, Safari, Contacts, and more.

Tap the content you want to share. Then tap Share or . Depending on the app, you might be able to select other items to share. Then tap the name of a nearby AirDrop user or the Apple device.

If you're sharing Contacts Only and can't find a nearby user, check that both of you are signed in to iCloud. If you still can't find a nearby user, consider setting AirDrop to Everyone. You might also need to turn off Personal Hotspot on one or both devices.

The other user will receive an alert with a preview of the content you want to share, and can either accept or decline. If the other user accepts, they'll get the content in the app you sent it from. For example, photos will appear in the Photos app and websites will open in Safari.

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.

Kind Regards.

Reply


Tap the content you want to share. Then tap Share or . Depending on the app, you might be able to select other items to share.	Then tap the name of a nearby AirDrop user or the Apple device.