AirDrop Contacts Only Not Working? 6 Fixes Here!

AirDrop doesn't work when I select the Contacts Only option. (When I select "Everyone", AirDrop works fine.) I'm having a similar problem on my iPad. Have others experienced similar issues? If so, is there a solution, or should we wait for Apple to discover and fix the problem? Cheers.

The reasons why AirDrop Contacts Only is not working can be an outdated iOS version, a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection issue, or a network error.

Let's see how to fix the AirDrop Contacts Only not working problem on iPhone, iPad, and Mac:

Fix 1: Update your iOS to the latest version.

★Note: Only iOS 10 and later, iPadOS, or macOS Sierra 10.12 and later supports the AirDrop's Contacts Only mode.

• iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Install.
• Mac: Tap the Apple icon > System settings > General > Software Update > Update Now > Restart.

Fix 2: Turn Wi-Fi off and on.

• iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > toggle Wi-Fi off > toggle Wi-Fi on.
• Mac: Tap the Wi-Fi symbol > toggle Wi-Fi off > toggle Wi-Fi on.

Fix 3: Turn Bluetooth off and on.

• iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings > Bluetooth > toggle Bluetooth off > toggle Bluetooth on.
• Mac: Tap Control Center symbol > tap Bluetooth symbol > toggle Bluetooth off > toggle Bluetooth on.

Fix 4: Reset network settings.

• iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
• Mac: Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Network > press "–" to remove the Wi-Fi connection > press "+" to add and select the Wi-Fi connection > Create > Apply.

Fix 5: Hard reset the device.

• iPhone and iPad: Press and release the Volume Up button quickly > press and release the Volume Down button quickly > press the Power button for seconds until you see the Apple logo.
• Mac: Tap the Apple icon > tap Restart.

Fix 6: Set AirDrop to Everyone.

• iPhone and iPad: Go to Settings > General > AirDrop > Everyone.
• Mac: Go to Finder > AirDrop > toggle on Everyone.

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Related Article: AirDrop Not Working on iOS 16? Fixes Here!