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.

Best Answered by

Jean· Answered on Nov 06, 2024

The reasons why AirDrop Contacts Only is not working can be an outdated iOS version, a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection issue, or a network error.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