How to Fix AirDrop Not Working and Stuck on Waiting

AirDrop lets you conveniently and wirelessly share files between Apple products. However, it is not always working like a charm. One of the hiccups you might encounter is that when you are airdropping a file, the AirDrop says waiting but never connects to the recipient. The AirDrop transfer spins but never sends the file.

Even though you cancel the AirDrop and try it again, the situation is not improved. The AirDrop is not working and gets stuck on the waiting status. This article will explain why your AirDrop gets stuck on waiting and how to fix the problem. In addition, you will find the best alternative for AirDrop - 🏅EaseUS MobiMover in this article. Read on.

Reasons for AirDrop Stuck on Waiting

Before proceeding to the specific fixes for the AirDrop not working on iPhone or iPad, you should understand why your AirDrop says waiting but cannot connect. The most common reasons include:

• ⚙️Disabled Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity. AirDrop relies on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies, so Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be enabled on both Apple devices. If the personal hotspot on either device is turned on, turn it off.
• 🔗The two devices are not close enough. Although the sending and receiving devices are positioned within 30 feet of each other for AirDrop to work, the signal is not strong enough to establish the connection.
• 🔧Software conflicts. Some third-party apps, such as a firewall or antivirus software, can interfere with AirDrop functionality.
• ❕Outdated operating system. Make sure both devices have the latest software updates installed. An outdated version of iOS or macOS can sometimes cause compatibility issues with AirDrop.

Quick Solutions to AirDrop Not Working Waiting

This part contains 5 quick methods for the AirDrop not working waiting error. You can try them in order until you find the one that fixes it.

Fix 1. Turn off and On Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Re-enabling Wi-Fi connection and Bluetooth helps fix the AirDrop stuck on waiting.

How to disable and re-enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on iPhone/iPad:

Step 1. Swipe from the upper-right corner of your screen to pull down the Control Center.

Step 2. Tap on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons to turn them off.

Step 3. Wait for 5 seconds, and tap the icons again to enable them.

How to disable and re-enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on Mac:

If your AirDrop is not working on Mac, follow the steps below to re-enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:

Step 1. Click the Control Center icon in the top menu bar.

Step 2. Click "Wi-Fi" and click the slider to turn it off, and then do the same to turn off Bluetooth.

Step 3. Wait for 5 seconds, and use the same process to turn them back on.

Fix 2. Turn Off the Personal Hotspot on iPhone

The personal hotspot signal will interfere with the AirDrop connection, so you should turn it off on both iPhones.

How to turn off the personal hotspot on iPhone:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Personal Hotspot."

Step 2. Toggle the switch to turn off Personal Hotspot.

Fix 3. Reset Network Settings

If neither of the two solutions works around the AirDrop stuck on waiting, try to reset the network settings on the two devices. This will reset all network-related settings, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth configurations.

How to reset network settings on iPhone/iPad:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" and scroll down to "Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad."

Step 2. Tap "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings."

Step 3. Reconnect to a Wi-Fi network.

How to reset network settings on Mac:

Step 1. Open "Apple Menu" > "System Settings" > "Network."

Step 2. Select "WiFi," click the minus button below, and click "Apply."

Step 3. Click the plus icon, select "WiFi," click "Create," and click "Apply."

Step 4. Rejoin a Wi-Fi network.

Fix 4. Force Restart of Both Devices

Some software glitches might have caused the "AirDrop not working waiting" issue. To fix the bugs or quit all background conflicting apps, it is advised to force restart both devices.

How to force reboot iPhone/iPad:

Force restart iPhone 8 or later and iPad models with Face ID: Press and quickly release the volume up button, then the volume down button, and press and hold the lock button until the Apple logo appears.

Force restart iPad and iPhone 7 or earlier with the Home button: Press and hold the volume down or the home button and the lock button together until the Apple logo appears.

How to force restart a Mac:

For Mac desktops: Press and hold the power button for a few seconds until a full shutdown, wait 10 seconds, and press the power button to start it up.

For MacBook Pro/Air: Press and hold the Command + Control + Touch ID/Eject/power button together until your Mac laptop shuts down and reboots.

Fix 5. Update the System

Updating the system to the latest version will install patches to fix the errors that might hinder the AirDrop transfer from working properly.

How to update the iOS version:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. Tap "Download and Install" if an update is available.

Step 3. Follow the onscreen process to finish installing the iOS update.

How to update the macOS version:

Step 1. Open "Apple Menu" > "System Settings" > "Software Update."

Step 2. Click on "Upgrade Now" if an update is available.

Step 3. Follow the onscreen process to finish installing the macOS update.

Best Alternative to Airdrop for File Transfer

If all solutions fail to solve the "AirDrop not working waiting" problem, you must find an alternative way to transfer files between Apple products. EaseUS MobiMover Pro is a perfect alternative to AirDrop because it can transfer data from one iPhone to another, iPhone to iPad, iPhone to Mac, and vice versa without hassle.

👑Key Features of EaseUS MobiMover

• Transfer 14 types of files between any two Apple devices, including photos, videos, messages, contacts, music, calendars, and more.
• Transfer unlimited files while maintaining the original quality of files.
• Fast and secure data transfer, just like AirDrop.
• Easy to use.

Part 4. Conclusion

If your AirDrop transfer hangs on waiting but never connects to the recipient's device, this article tells you how to fix AirDrop stuck on waiting. You need to verify the connectivity of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If necessary, reset all network connections and update the system on both iDevices.

If the AirDrop is not working waiting issue persists, you can easily use EaseUS MobiMover to share data between Apple products.

FAQs on AirDrop Not Working Waiting

This section gathers some most frequently asked questions on this topic. Read to know more.

1. Why is my AirDrop taking so long?

The file being transferred may be too big if an AirDrop transfer takes longer than intended. Another reason for slow AirDrop transfer is the weak signal between the two devices to ensure a fast transfer.

2. Why is my AirDrop not working when it's on?

It takes correct configurations on both sending and receiving devices to ensure the effectiveness of AirDrop. If the AirDrop is set up correctly, try to verify the other user's device.

3. Why isn't my AirDrop finding anymore?

There is a possibility that your AirDrop is restricted to Contacts Only; either of the devices turns off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the devices are not close enough. These are all the possible reasons why your AirDrop is not finding any more.