Start with the exact AirDrop symptom
A recipient who never appears has a different problem from a visible recipient whose transfer fails. A code prompt can be a normal security step, and a completed transfer may save to a place you did not expect. Start with the matching row instead of resetting every network setting.
| Symptom | First check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient does not appear | Distance, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hotspot, and receiving setting | Temporarily use Everyone for 10 Minutes |
| AirDrop asks for a code | System version and whether the sender is a contact | Use the code displayed by the recipient |
| Recipient appears but transfer fails | Devices remain nearby and awake | Try one small known-good file |
| Transfer says complete but file is missing | File type and receiving device | Check Photos, Files, or Downloads |
If the other device does not appear
Apple says the sender and recipient should be nearby Apple devices with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. Turn off Personal Hotspot during the first test. On a Mac, Apple specifies that the devices should be within about 30 feet or 10 meters. Keep both devices awake and unlocked while testing.
Open AirDrop receiving on the destination. If Contacts Only is selected, the recipient must have the sender in Contacts with the email address or phone number used by the sender's Apple Account. A nickname-only contact can fail that check. For a controlled test, select Everyone for 10 Minutes and restore the preferred setting afterward.
- Place the devices close together and enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both.
- Disconnect Personal Hotspot on either device.
- Temporarily set the recipient to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- Retry from the Share menu with one small photo or document.
An AirDrop code is not necessarily an error
On iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26.2 or later, Apple can require an AirDrop code when the sender is not in the recipient's contacts. The recipient chooses to continue, reads the generated code, and gives it only to the trusted sender. The sender enters that code to proceed.
Do not permanently expose the device to everyone just to bypass this step. The code is part of the current non-contact sharing flow. Verify the person and device before sharing sensitive material.
If the recipient appears but the transfer fails
Try one ordinary small file. This separates a file- or app-specific problem from device discovery. Keep both devices nearby and online. Although current AirDrop can continue some transfers over the internet after local initiation, that does not guarantee every network, device, or item will resume successfully.
If the small test also fails, restart both devices as Apple recommends and retry. A work VPN or managed security profile can affect local networking; do not remove organization controls without administrator guidance. Record the device models, operating-system versions, item type, and visible error if failure persists.
Where a received AirDrop file is saved
Photos commonly appear in Photos. Documents on iPhone or iPad may open in an app or appear in Files. On Mac, many items go to Downloads, while some can open in Photos or another selected app. Transfers between your own devices signed in to the same Apple Account may be accepted automatically.
Search by the file type and receiving device before sending the same sensitive item repeatedly. AirDrop is best suited to a small selection of files; for a large archive, use a transfer method that makes progress and destination easier to verify.
Check cellular-data and privacy settings afterward
Current AirDrop can use the internet after a nearby transfer begins, which may use cellular data. To prevent that, open Settings → General → AirDrop and turn off Use Cellular Data. This is especially relevant while roaming.
After troubleshooting, restore Contacts Only or Receiving Off. Confirm the exact recipient before sending private files in a crowded place, and do not share an AirDrop code with an unknown person.