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iPhone · AirDrop

AirDrop cannot find the other device

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both Apple devices, move them nearby, set the receiver to Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes, and restart both devices. Personal Hotspot can interfere with the local discovery path.

Direct answer

Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both Apple devices, move them nearby, set the receiver to Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes, and restart both devices. Personal Hotspot can interfere with the local discovery path.

What this covers

  • AirDrop between a nearby iPhone, iPad or Mac
  • Current supported consumer software as reviewed on August 20, 2026
  • The symptom described in the title before a factory reset or hardware repair

What it does not cover

  • ×Android or Windows targets, which do not receive AirDrop
  • ×Billing, ownership, warranty or account-recovery disputes
  • ×Regional features that the manufacturer does not list for your country
Try in this order0 of 4 completed

  1. Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices

    Reversible

    Verify both radios are on and temporarily turn off Personal Hotspot during the local discovery test.

  2. Move devices nearby and unlock them

    Reversible

    Keep the sender and receiver close, awake and available at the sharing screen.

  3. Change receiving visibility temporarily

    Reversible

    Set AirDrop receiving to Everyone for 10 Minutes, or confirm both contacts contain the correct Apple Account details.

  4. Restart both devices

    Reversible

    Restart the sender and receiver, then retry with a single small photo or document.

Evidence ledger

Sources behind this answer

Visible sources support the visible claims. Home Product Support records the publisher, the fact used and the review date; community reports can suggest an issue but do not become a published fact on their own.

01
Apple SupportUse AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

Official Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, visibility and restart requirements.

Exact questions

Common follow-ups

What should I try first for airdrop cannot find the other device?+

Verify both radios are on and temporarily turn off Personal Hotspot during the local discovery test.

Will these steps erase apps, files or settings?+

No data-erasing step is required in this sequence. Changing AirDrop receiving visibility is reversible. Use Everyone for 10 Minutes only when needed.

When should I stop troubleshooting?+

Stop if the device reports hardware damage, becomes unusually hot, smells burnt, or the problem falls into this excluded case: Android or Windows targets, which do not receive AirDrop.

Change recordAug. 17, 2026 — Published a source-linked sequence for airdrop cannot find the other device, with consequences shown before sign-out or reset steps.
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