Fix: AirDrop Not Working Between iOS 26 Devices
After updating to macOS Tahoe and iOS 26, you may find that AirDrop suddenly stops working between your Mac and iPhone. Despite both devices being on the same network and logged into the same Apple ID, they may fail to detect each other, making file sharing impossible. This frustrating issue, reported by users in this Apple Community discussion, is almost always a software‑related problem. It’s often caused by misconfigured settings, network conflicts, or temporary glitches introduced during the update process.
Why AirDrop Stops Working After an Update
AirDrop is a clever technology that uses two wireless radios to function. First, it uses Bluetooth to scan for and discover nearby compatible devices. Once you select a device to share with, it establishes a secure, peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi connection between the two devices to transfer the files quickly. This process is independent of any existing Wi‑Fi network.
A major operating system update can disrupt this delicate handshake. The update might alter firewall settings on a Mac, reset network configurations, or introduce a temporary bug that interferes with Bluetooth discovery or the Wi‑Fi connection. When this happens, one or both devices become “invisible” to each other, causing AirDrop to fail.
How to Fix AirDrop Between macOS Tahoe and iOS 26
These troubleshooting steps should be performed on both your Mac and iPhone, as the issue could originate from either device.
1. Verify Core AirDrop Settings
The most common cause of AirDrop failure is incorrect basic settings. Both Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi must be active, and devices must be set to be discoverable.
- On your iPhone (iOS 26):
- Go to Settings > Wi‑Fi and ensure the toggle is on. You may also want to fix Wi‑Fi issues if the network seems unstable.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth and ensure the toggle is on.
- Go to Settings > General > AirDrop and select Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes. Choosing “Everyone” is best for troubleshooting.
- On your Mac (macOS Tahoe):
- Click the Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth icons in the menu bar to confirm they are both turned on.
- Open Finder and click AirDrop in the sidebar.
- At the bottom of the window, click the blue text next to “Allow me to be discovered by:” and select Everyone.
2. Turn Off Personal Hotspot and VPN
Personal Hotspot and VPN services can interfere with the peer‑to‑peer network that AirDrop relies on.
- On your iPhone: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn it off. Also, go to Settings and disable any active VPN connection. If the hotspot setting is stubborn, you can fix Personal Hotspot.
- On your Mac: Click the Wi‑Fi icon in the menu bar and ensure Personal Hotspot is disconnected. Disable any active VPN software.
3. Disable Focus Modes
Focus modes, such as Do Not Disturb, can prevent notifications and make your devices undiscoverable via AirDrop.
- On your iPhone: Open Control Center and tap the Focus button to ensure no Focus mode is active.
- On your Mac: Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar and ensure no Focus mode is enabled.
4. Restart Both Devices
A simple restart is a highly effective way to resolve temporary software glitches that may have occurred after the OS updates.
- Restart your iPhone: Press and hold a volume button and the side button until the power‑off slider appears, then drag it.
- Restart your Mac: Click the Apple logo in the menu bar and select Restart.
5. Check the Firewall on Your Mac
An overly aggressive firewall can block the incoming connections necessary for AirDrop to work.
- Click the Apple logo > System Settings.
- Go to Network > Firewall.
- If the firewall is on, click Options.
- Ensure that “Block all incoming connections” is turned off.
- Look for sharingd in the list and ensure it is set to Allow incoming connections.
6. Reset Network Settings on Your iPhone
This step erases all current network configurations, including Wi‑Fi passwords and VPN settings, which can resolve deeper connectivity bugs.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset Network Settings. Your iPhone will restart, and you will need to reconnect to your Wi‑Fi network.
If none of these solutions work, contact Apple Support.
