AirDrop Not Working on iOS 16? Fixes Here!

Apple's 16th major release of the iOS operating system was announced in June 2022 and arrived publicly three months later. It brought with it several new functionality and customization upgrades to iPhone users.

That said, some users have experienced AirDrop not working on iOS 16 since upgrading their operating systems. If you face that issue, this guide is for you. We will walk you through the problem and provide a multi-method solution to deal with it.

What Can AirDrop Do for You

AirDrop is an incredibly convenient feature on Macs and iOS devices. It lets users discover nearby Apple devices and then transfer files between them quickly, easily, and securely through WiFi and Bluetooth.

Bluetooth LE technology facilitates transmitting, discovery, and the negotiation of connections between the devices. On the other hand, the transfers go through Wi-Fi. It works for all devices within the Apple ecosystem and across operating systems (macOS to iOS, etc).

You can send text, images, audio, and video files via AirDrop. You can also transfer other file types, such as Apple Maps locations, contact information, and playlists. What's more, there is no concern over size limits.

Why Is AirDrop Not Working on iOS 16

If you use iOS 16, your device is compatible with AirDrop and this checks a potential cause on older devices.

Still, there are several reasons why AirDrop may not work on your iPhone. Usually, it centers around your device not being set up correctly to enable the feature to work. In addition, it won't work if both devices lack the necessary permissions to see each other and make file transfers.

How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on iOS 16

Let's go through the troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the problem.

Check AirDrop Settings

There are three AirDrop settings options for iOS 16 iPhones:

• Receiving Off
• Contacts Only
• Everyone

The enabled option can decide whether or not AirDrop works on your device. For instance, selecting "Everyone" will allow you to AirDrop people who are not on your phone contacts. "Contacts Only" is a safer option, as it limits the connection to people you know.

1. Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

As I've mentioned earlier, AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to create connections between devices and make transfers. If either has a connection issue, the feature will not work.

To troubleshoot this, check to see that both are enabled. Even if they are, toggle off and on to reset both settings.

2. Disable Personal Hotspot

AirDrop clashes with Personal Hotspot and will not work if your iPhone has the latter turned on. Switching it off will drop the internet on the connected device, but you can always turn it back on after your transfers.

You can switch the Personal Hotspot to "Not Discoverable" within the Control Center settings.

3. Ensure Both Devices are Within the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Range

Another potential fix for the AirDrop not working on iOS 16 is moving both devices closer. Because AirDrop uses Bluetooth, it has a range of 10 meters or 33 feet; this is the range within which your iPhones can share files between themselves.

More ideally, you want the devices to be even closer to each other.

4. Check Network Settings

Resetting the network settings on your device could fix your AirDrop problem. You can find this within the General settings on your iPhone.

5. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting may sound like a cliche fix for any issue involving electronic devices, but there is a reason for that: it usually works.

If you have tried the other methods and the problem persists, simply turn off both iPhones. Wait for a few seconds, and then turn them back on. That could do the trick.

How to Send Files from iPhone Without AirDrop

We've run through an exhaustive list of fixes for AirDrop not working on iOS 16 devices. Chances are that you no longer have the problem. On the other hand, it may yet persist. If it does, you should contact Apple Support.

In the meantime,EaseUS MobiMoveris an alternative that works just as well as AirDrop on iOS devices. The app offers a handy way to transfer your data between iPhones, iPods, Macs, and PCs. You can send files from iPhone to PC, PC to iPhone, and iPhone to iPhone. It has full iOS 16 support.

EaseUS MobiMover is more than just an AirDrop alternative - it can do the job of iTunes just as well. With the app, you can flexibly back up your files and restore them anytime with one click. It is compatible with up to 14 file types, including audio, text message, recording, notes, calendar, browser history, videos, and more. You can even back up, restore, and transfer your WhatsApp chat history to ensure you don't lose all those memories.

FAQs About AirDrop Not Working on iOS 16

1. Why is my AirDrop not working on my iPhone?

空投需要某些条件得到满足to work on your iPhone. For instance, the AirDrop settings must be on and set to allow the counterpart device to connect. It also needs your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections up and running and for the devices to be within range of each other.

2. How do I fix my Apple AirDrop?

In this article, we ran through the common fixes for the AirDrop issue. They include disabling your hotspot, bringing the devices within range, and checking the relevant settings.

3. Why is my phone not showing up on AirDrop?

Your AirDrop settings may be set to disallow all or certain device connections. Check the first solution discussed above for more.

The Conclusion

AirDrop is a handy feature designed for transferring a large variety of files between devices in the Apple ecosystem. It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to send data.

While it is an important feature, AirDrop may malfunction sometimes. Considering this, we laid out several fixes to deal with the issue. If you find AirDrop not working on your iOS 16 device, run through the solutions.

Unfortunately, they may still not work. Luckily, EaseUS MobiMover can handle your Mac and iOS data transfer tasks just as well. It also has extra features not available on AirDrop, like file backup and restoration.