The most common reason for this is interference from a VPN or firewall. Other possible reasons include Personal Hotspot being turned on, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi being turned off, or the recipient’s device being locked. In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.
1. Try Basic Fixes First
If basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, move on to the solutions below to see if you can send files using AirDrop.
2. Check Screen Time Restrictions
Hidden restrictions can quietly prevent AirDrop from working, and you might not get any clear warning about it. For example, Screen Time settings may have sharing features like AirDrop turned off.
2.1 On iPhone and iPad
2.2 On Mac
3. Update Your Apple ID Information
Sometimes, simply updating your Apple ID information can help. Refreshing your Apple ID makes iCloud re-sync your device settings, which can fix AirDrop problems caused by old account details or sign-in issues.
3.1 On iPhone and iPad
3.2 On Mac
4. Reset Network Settings
Erasing all old network data at once, this step removes any damaged Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or AirDrop settings that might be stopping your device from finding others or sending files. It’s like giving your wireless connections a fresh start.
