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ProblemAirDrop needs proximity and receiving settings that let the sender find the recipient. One person not appearing does not imply a general Wi-Fi or Bluetooth failure.

AirDrop not working on iPhone

Bring the devices close, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and check who can receive. Disconnect Personal Hotspot during the transfer.

Try this first

1 quick checks · ~3 min

  1. Prepare both devices for AirDropNotify anyone using Personal Hotspot before disconnecting it.

Step-by-step solutions

01

Prepare both devices for AirDrop

  • Estimated time: 3 min
  • Easy
  • Low risk

Notify anyone using Personal Hotspot before disconnecting it.

  1. Bring the devices close and check that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on for both. Keep them nearby throughout the transfer.

  2. Disconnect Personal Hotspot on either device if it is in use; this interrupts connectivity for devices using that hotspot. Open AirDrop again to find the recipient.

Sources:
02

Check who can receive the transfer

  • Estimated time: 4 min
  • Easy
  • Low risk

Check this with the person you intend to send to.

  1. On the receiving device, check that AirDrop receiving is not off. If it is limited to contacts, make sure the sender is recognized as a contact.

  2. Choose a receiving option that lets that person find you, send again and accept the intended transfer. Restore your preferred privacy setting afterward and reject unfamiliar requests.

Sources:
Next step

Still not working?

If the recipient still does not appear with these settings, contact Apple with the devices and versions. Use general Wi-Fi or Bluetooth troubleshooting only if those features also fail outside AirDrop.

Sources

Documentation behind this guide. Editorial recommendations are identified separately.

Source review: . A documentation review, not a physical hardware test.