Air drop doesn't work when set to Contacts Only

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 be using iOS 7 or later and 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 associated with your Apple ID is in the Contacts app of the receiving device.

If you can’t see the other device in AirDrop

If you can't see the person or the device that you're trying to AirDrop to, check the following:

• Check that both of you have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
• Make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby. You can't AirDrop to users who are out of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
• If the other person’s AirDrop receiving setting is set to Contacts Only, and you’re not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone.