AirDrop is an exclusive wireless feature for Apple’s iOS and Mac operating systems that was introduced in Mac OS X Lion and iOS 7 in 2011. It enables wireless file transfers between iOS and Mac devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Hence, the only two things used here are Bluetooth to utilize a small amount of power to broadcast, locate, and sort out connections and utilize the Wi-Fi connection to transfer data.
As the name indicates, it can swiftly ‘drop’ files over a wireless network. However, the AirDrop not working on iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max is a very common bug about which most of the users have been complaining. According to numerous user reports from around the world, it typically occurs when Apple releases new OS updates. Follow the guide to learn about the problem and resolve it if you’re experiencing the “AirDrop not working” bug on an iPhone 11 series.
How Does AirDrop Function?
The only initial step that needs to be taken care of is turning on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both the devices, the one where you want to transfer the files from and the one that will accept. After that, each device creates a network security throughout the link, and the data sent is encrypted, which makes it more secure than e-mail file transfer. Here’s the AirDrop data transfer process:-
- First, open an App on your device, and locate the desired data you want to send.
- Then touch the “Share” button.
- It will display any nearby devices that the user you wants to send the data to.
- Next, touch on the user you want to share the data with.
There are no restrictions on the size of anything sent. Images, videos, and other files can be transferred between iOS and Mac users or shared with your iOS and Mac device. Because of how slowly NFC and Bluetooth transfer data, AirDrop differs from Android devices in this regard. This enables quick and secure sharing of larger files via AirDrop.
Prerequisites
Let’s discuss some of the procedures needed for AirDrop to work properly. You won’t experience the AirDrop not working on Phone 11 series issue if you verify that everything in this section is accurate on your device.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
First and foremost, ensure that your devices’ WiFi and mobile data are turned on. Wi-Fi serves to transfer data, while Bluetooth locates nearby devices. Thus, if either of them is turned off, AirDrop will stop the process.
- Distance
For Bluetooth to perform precisely, you need to be aware of the distance between two devices. The distance between the devices should be no more than 8 meters.
- Turn on AirDrop
Another important thing to do for the AirDrop data transfer process is to make sure AirDrop is enabled. To do that:-
- Navigate to your iPhone 11’s “Control Center”
- Tap and hold “Network settings”
- Then turn on Bluetooth & Wi-Fi
- After that, touch and hold “AirDrop”
- Select “Contacts only” (only your contacts can find your device) or “Everyone” (your device will be revealed by nearby devices)
Fixes for AirDrop Not Working on iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
We can see that AirDrop has a fair share of errors, but they are all relatively minor software glitches that are simple to fix. You can try to undergo the given solutions to fix your AirDrop not working on iPhone 11 series.
Use Airplane Mode
It might not seem viable, but some users who encountered AirDrop-related issues reported that simply toggling Airplane mode on and off has resolved the issue.
- Navigate to your iPhone’s “Settings”
- Head to Airplane Mode and turn it on
- Now that all of the connection on your device is off, wait for 1-2 minutes
- Then, turn off Airplane Mode
- Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Next, wait for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect before checking your iPhone’s AirDrop to see if everything is working properly.
Restart your iPhone
Sometimes, it is typical for some operations to fail because, occasionally, data can become corrupted and result in strange glitches. Regarding that, a simple solution can be just to soft reboot your iPhone.
To soft reboot your iPhone:-
- Press the “Volume button” & “Power button” at once, and don’t let go
- Release them, and the “Slide to Power Off” option will popup
- Drag the slider, and it will turn off your iPhone
- After 1 minute, turn on the device by pressing and holding the “Power button”
Before attempting to share files via AirDrop, it is advised to restart both of your iOS devices. The data on your device won’t be impacted in any way by this, and clearing out the bugged data should restore AirDrop to working properly.
Reset Network Settings
Sometimes network-associated flaws can bring up issues, such as AirDrop not working on iPhone 11 series. All you have to do is clean out the network settings by resetting them from settings. Before continuing, note your Wi-Fi passwords or any other network-related information because resetting your network settings will erase it.
- First, go to your iPhone’s “Settings” and head to “General”
- Navigate to “Reset”
- Touch on “Reset network settings”
- Then it will ask for your device’s password, provide it, and confirm
Wait for some time to finish the resetting process of your network settings, and the phone will restart automatically afterward. After that, connect to your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and navigate to AirDrop. To see if the issue is fixed, try sharing files with another iOS device.
Sign out/Sign in on iCloud
Make sure both iOS devices are signed into iCloud before sharing files via AirDrop, as that is another crucial step. Otherwise, if your device is not synced with your contacts on iCloud, you might not be able to locate the other devices. But if you’re already logged into iCloud and still facing the error, you can try to log out and log back in iCloud. Follow the instructions:-
- Go to your device’s “Settings” and touch on “iCloud”
- After that, select “Sign out”
- Once done, restart your iPhone
- Then go back to “iCloud” and “Sign in” with the credentials
Once you’ve finished logging in, visit AirDrop to see if the problem has been resolved or not.
Turn off the Hotspot
AirDrop won’t work properly if your Personal Hotspot is turned on and the other device is connected to your internet. As you don’t need the internet while transferring files via AirDrop, turn off the Hotspot and try the transferring process again. Remember, all you need is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
- Head to iPhone’s “Settings” > “Personal Hotspot” and Turn off “Allow Others to Join”.
Update your iOS
These issues are usual among iPhone users, so developers always try to fix them with new OS updates frequently. Therefore, to ensure that the programs on your iPhone 11 series device work properly, ensure it has the most recent OS version installed. Follow the given steps to check if any updates are available:-
- Go to iPhone’s “Settings” > “General” and finally, navigate to “Software Update” to check if any updates are available.
- Updates will be downloaded and installed if it they’re available.
Contact Apple Support
If you have tried all of the steps in this guide one by one and you’re still encountering the AirDrop not working on the iPhone 11 series issue, the most reliable course of action for you would be to contact Apple directly. You may not be aware of it because hardware problems with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi could cause it. Go to their support page and let them know your problems regarding AirDrop. They will ask for contact details to communicate with you further so they can help you fix the issue by conventional recommendations.
Closing Thoughts
AirDrop is one of Apple’s exceptional services and very convenient too. Therefore, running into problems when attempting to transfer files via the app could be annoying. Hopefully, the methods mentioned in this guide will help you regarding the AirDrop not working on the iPhone 11 series complication. So try the following steps, and you will be good to go. All the best!
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
