AirDrop Not Working on iOS 16? Fixes Here!

AirDrop not working is an issue that may occur on all generations of iOS and iPadOS, including the latest iOS 16. If AirDrop is not working on iOS 16, read this guide and learn how to solve the problem easily.

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.

6. Repair iOS System Glitch

If the issue of AirDrop not working is the result of some iOS system failure, then it is recommended to use EaseUS MobiXpert to repair the system malfunction or you can take advantage of this verstile iOS system repair tool to downgrade or upgrade the current iOS system to the version that Apple supports and the validation for the IPSW package has not been closed.

Click below to free download the EaseUS software now!

Note: It is suggested to try the "Standard Repair" option first. And if the operating system is severely damaged and the "Standard Repair" function doesn't work at all, then you are expected to try the "Deep Repair" feature.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiXpert on your computer, choose "System Repair" from the Home page.

Step 2.  Then, choose "iOS/iPadOS System Repair" from the new screen.

Step 3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and choose "Standard Repair." If you want a thorough repair, you can choose "Deep Repair."

Step 4. Confirm your device model and click "Next" to move on. Then, EaseUS MobiXpert will download a firmware for you, which will take a while. If you have installed a firmware before using this software, you can directly click "Verify" to continue.

Step 5. Then, click "Repair Now" to start the repair process. After the repair completes, you can check your device and restart it for use. 

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 MobiMover Pro is an alternative that works just as well as AirDrop on iOS devices. The app offers a handy way to transfer your data between iPhones, iPads, 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.

EaseUS MobiMover is easy to install. Simply go to the official website, select a payment plan and run through the process. Then you can download and install the app on your smartphone or tablet. 

It is also pretty easy to use the app's primary feature. Connect the devices, select "Transfer Function", and choose the connection option and the files you want to send. Clicking the Transfer button sends your files quickly and securely.

For inquiries, EaseUS MobiMover has an excellent customer service team available via phone, live chat, and email. Subscribers can reach the support around the clock.

FAQs About AirDrop Not Working on iOS 16

For more information, you may also want to know:

1. Why is my AirDrop not working on iPhone?

AirDrop needs certain conditions to be satisfied 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.