Is AirDrop not working on your iPhone after the recent iOS 18 update? You’ve landed in the right place. In this article, I explain how you can fix the problem when your iPhone is exhibiting AirDrop problems after updating to iOS 18.
AirDrop is a neat and handy feature that lets you quickly and easily share files between Macs, iPhones, and iPads. You can wirelessly send and receive photos, videos, map locations, documents, contacts, URLs, passwords and more.
AirDrop uses Bluetooth to discover the nearby devices and Wi-Fi to wirelessly transfer the content. I use AirDrop every time I want to share files between my iPhone and Mac and it is a fantastic feature when it works.
If AirDrop stopped working on your iPhone after iOS 18 update, you won’t be able to send or receive AirDrop files. More specifically, you may experience one or more of the following behaviors:
- Unable to send or receive a file from an iPhone using AirDrop.
- AirDrop says “waiting” then “failed”.
- Unable to detect other devices.
- AirDrop transfers are failed or declined.
- AirDrop says “No People Found”
If the above sounds like your current experience with AirDrop after iOS 18 update, here are some troubleshooting steps that may help.
iOS 18 AirDrop problem fix
Please try these troubleshooting steps on your device:
1. Check your settings
If the other Apple devices nearby cannot AirDrop to you or if you cannot send files via AirDrop after iOS 18 update, the first troubleshooting step is to make sure that your settings are correct:
There are three basic settings in AirDrop:
- Receiving Off: When this setting is selected, you won’t receive AirDrops.
- Contacts Only: When this setting is selected, only email addresses or mobile numbers that appear in your contacts can see your device.
- Everyone for 10 minutes: When this is selected, all nearby Apple devices can see your device in Airdrop for 10 minutes.
To fix iOS 18 AirDrop problem, make sure that your iPhone is discoverable. Head to Settings > General > AirDrop and ensure that Everyone for 10 Minutes is selected.
If you’re still having trouble getting AirDrop to work:
- Make sure your iPhone is powered on and you have unlocked it using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to receive files over AirDrop
- Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on both Apple devices. On your iPhone, head to Settings > Bluetooth and check. If you see a button saying “Allow New Connections”, tap the button to turn on Bluetooth.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled on both Apple devices. On your iPhone, head to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- If one of the devices is using VPN, disable it and then try again. On your iPhone, head to Settings > VPN.
- Ensure that Personal Hotspot is turned off on both Apple devices. On your iPhone, head to Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Personal Hotspot.
- Make sure that you and the other person you are sending files to are not too far apart. Ensure that they are within 30 feet (around 10 meters) of each other.
- Make sure that Date & Time is set correctly on both Apple devices. On your iPhone, head to Settings > General > Date & Time. Turn on Set Automatically.
- Turn on and off AirDrop on both Apple devices. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirDrop. Select Receiving off and then change it to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
2. Basic troubleshooting
After checking off your settings, if AirDrop still isn’t working, it’s time to do further troubleshooting.
When i encountered AirDrop problem after iOS 18 update, I did one of the following to fix it. Complete the steps below on both devices (sender and receiver). And lastly, after each step check to see it AirDrop starts working again:
- Turn on Airplane Mode, wait about 10 seconds and then turn it off (Settings > AirPlane Mode.)
- Turn off Bluetooth and turn it on (Settings > Bluetooth.)
- Turn off Wi-Fi and turn it on (Settings > Wi-Fi.)
- Restart your device (Settings > General > Shut Down.)
- Ensure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS 18 (Settings > General > Software Update).
3. Restart your Wi-Fi router/modem
To do this, simply unplug and then replug the power cable.
4. Check your blocked contact
If any of the sender’s or receiver’s emails or phone numbers are blocked, Airdrop won’t work. Check your Blocked Contacts to ensure that the sender and receiver are not in the list on each device:
- Head to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts.
- Review your blocked contacts and then check if the person you’re sending to is not blocked. And ensure that the other person has not blocked your number.
- If blocked, unlock it.
5. iCloud Contacts
Airdrop issues may sometimes occur if your iPhone contacts do not match with your iCloud contacts if the AirDrop setting is set to receive from Contacts Only. You can merge your contacts to fix iOS 18 AirDrop issues. Here is how:
- On your iPhone, head to Settings > Apple Account > iCloud.
- Turn on Contacts, if it is turned off.
- When asked, tap Merge.
If Contacts were already enabled:
- Head to Settings > Apple Account > iCloud.
- Turn Contacts off. And select “Keep on My iPhone”.
- Turn on Contacts and then select Merge.
6. Reset your network settings
If the above doesn’t work, try resetting network settings on your iPhone. Please note that this will erase all of your network settings such as your Wi-Fi passwords, VPN, Bluetooth connections etc. Here is how:
On your iPhone, head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. And follow the onscreen instructions.
7. Wait for a new iOS 18 Update
Sometimes, all you can do is wait. If you’ve tried everything and are still having AirDrop problem, there’s a good chance Apple is aware of the issue and is already working on a fix. You can submit a report detailing your experience on the Apple Feedback website while you wait, and keep an eye on Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone for new iOS 18 versions.