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User profile for user: dawnelda
dawnelda Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Does airdrop work without a sim card

I have upgraded to an iphone7 and successfully copied my old content including contacts to the new phone. Then on the new phone I deleted an exchange account that is work related. This deleted all my contacts, which is what I wanted however I thought I could airdrop the ones I do want from one to the other. New phone does not have a sim card. I can’t get the old phone to find the new phone to airdrop. What can I do?

Posted on Aug 17, 2018 11:58 AM

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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
152,822 points

Posted on Aug 17, 2018 12:09 PM

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 in their Contacts, they need to have your Apple ID information in your contact card for AirDrop to work. If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

Ref: Use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPad touch - Apple Support


AFAIK, Apple has not mentioned that a SIM card is required, only Bluetooth & Wi-Fi be enabled on both devices.

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User profile for user: Tesserax
Tesserax
User level: Level 10
152,822 points

Aug 17, 2018 12:09 PM in response to dawnelda

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 in their Contacts, they need to have your Apple ID information in your contact card for AirDrop to work. If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

Ref: Use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPad touch - Apple Support


AFAIK, Apple has not mentioned that a SIM card is required, only Bluetooth & Wi-Fi be enabled on both devices.

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Does airdrop work without a sim card

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