This post tackles the possible causes of AirDrop errors, particularly on the iPhone 7 Plus device along with step-by-step troubleshooting methods to fix the problem. AirDrop is a file-sharing feature supported in iOS 10 and later versions. It uses Bluetooth 4.0 to carry out power-efficient broadcast and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi for speedy transfer of files to any other recent Apple device. With AirDrop, you can instantly share photos, videos, locations and other contents from your iPhone with other compatible devices nearby. You can share contents from various apps like Safari, Contacts, and Photos. All you have to do is to locate the content on an app that you want to share and then follow the onscreen prompts to complete the file sharing process.
When someone shares content with you through AirDrop, you will see an alert containing the preview of the content. You can tap to Accept or Decline it, as you would prefer. The entire process is not just simple but likewise secure when it works. But for some reasons, other people are having trouble using AirDrop when attempting to do file sharing from the iPhone 7 Plus to other Apple devices. What causes such problem to occur and what means could this be rectified? If you bumped into this page while searching for an answer to these same questions, then I encourage you to read on.
Possible causes of AirDrop problems on your iPhone 7 Plus
In most cases, problems like this are usually triggered by software glitches. It can be on the iPhone or other Apple devices involved. Incorrect credentials like different or not matching Apple IDs on any of the Apple devices in use.
AirDrop services can also be interrupted or affected by network connectivity issues including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth problems transpiring on any of the devices. This is often the case if you cannot see the device that you are trying to AirDrop to. It is possible that Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is disabled or enabled but unavailable for some reasons. The same problem can occur if either of your device has Personal Hotspot on. In this case, you will just have to turn Personal Hotspot off for AirDrop to work as intended.
Another thing you need to consider is the proximity of the devices. Make sure that the other device you are sending to is nearby. Just like Bluetooth, AirDrop only works within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range. The same thing can happen if the other AirDrop device (receiving) setting is set to Contacts Only and you are not in listed among the Contacts. In this case, you just have to set the AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone.
Possible Solutions and Recommended Workarounds
Highlighted below are generic solutions and workarounds to deal with file transfer problems with AirDrop on the iPhone 7 Plus. Consider these among your options in troubleshooting relevant issues on the same device. Be sure to check on AirDrop after completing each procedure to see if it is already working fine or not. Proceed to the next applicable solution(s) if necessary.
First solution: Restart your device
Software issues occurring on the app in use can be the main reason as to why AirDrop is not working as intended on your iPhone or other Apple device. Usually, problems like this can be rectified by a restart so be sure you don’t fail to do so. Try to reboot your iPhone and other Apple device in use and retry sending the file through AirDrop afterwards.
A restart eliminates minor glitches or corrupted files that might have affected the app’s normal functions. It also clears up space of your device’s internal memory.
- To reboot your iPhone 7 Plus, just press and hold the Power button and then slide to power off.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds, then press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
If the usual procedure is not applicable because your app or device suddenly gets frozen or unresponsive when attempting to do AirDrop file transfers, you can use the hard keys to force your iPhone to restart instead.
- To do so, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and Volume Down button at the same time.
- Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears.
- Release both buttons when you see the logo. Your iPhone then reboots.
Just like the standard restart, no data will be erased in the process thus it’s safe.
Second solution: Verify or adjust AirDrop settings on your iPhone 7 Plus
AirDrop has three options for you to configure including Off, Contacts Only, and Everyone. Contacts only is the most complex among the three since it has to verify who knows who. To play it safe, you can switch to Everyone and then try again. Otherwise, select Off, and then on again.
Here’s how it works:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen to open the Control Center.
- Tap AirDrop.
- To switch to the simplest possible file transfer method, tap Everyone.
- Otherwise, tap Off then repeat the process and tap On again.
Here’s what happens when selecting any of these receiving options:
- Receiving Off – you won’t be able to receive AirDrop requests.
- Contacts Only – only your contacts can see your device.
- Everyone – all nearby iOS devices using AirDrop can see your device.
Third solution: Make sure your devices match
Verify and ensure that the Apple ID matches with the ones used in your other AirDrop devices. If you are trying to use AirDrop to transfer contents from your iPhone 7 Plus to your Mac computer and your Mac is not showing up, here’s what you can try:
- Open Finder on your Mac computer.
- Click on AirDrop in the sidebar. Doing so will put your Mac computer in an AirDrop-ready mode.
Try transferring contents again through AirDrop and see if your iPhone is already able to find and connect to your Mac computer this time.
Fourth solution: Toggle Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios
Again, AirDrop requires Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections to work properly. If something goes wrong with either your Bluetooth or Wi-Fi network, then most likely you will have some troubles with AirDrop transfers. In this case, you can try performing these steps:
- Open the Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of your iPhone screen.
- Tap the Bluetooth icon to turn Bluetooth off. Do the same with the Wi-Fi icon to turn Wi-Fi off on your device..
- After a few seconds, tap the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi icons respectively to turn the features back on and re-enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi services on your device.
Or you can just toggle Airplane mode on to turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off and then toggle Airplane mode again to turn them back on at once.
Fifth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone
Misconfigured or incorrect network settings can affect your iPhone’s network connectivity functions, which likewise affects AirDrop operations. In this case, resetting the network settings can be a potential solution as it erases all errors or incorrect network inputs and reset network settings back to default. The thing is that you will need to set up your wireless network afterwards. Be sure to take note of your wireless network password and server settings before you proceed with these steps:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to and tap Reset.
- Tap to select Reset Network Settings from the given options.
- If prompted, enter the correct passcode for your device.
- Tap Reset Network Settings to confirm action.
Wait until your device completes the network reset process and then continue by setting up Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your device. Try to check on AirDrop when everything this is set correctly.
Sixth solution: Update iOS on your iPhone 7 Plus
If you haven’t done it already, download and install the latest version of iOS for your iPhone. You can check for available software updates by going to Settings-> General-> About-> Software Update. An update notification will appear if an iOS update is available for your device. If there is, backup your iPhone before you go for an iOS update download and installation.
You can also use iTunes to backup and update your iPhone 7 Plus. If you have a computer with the latest iTunes app installed, then you may proceed with these steps:
- Open iTunes on the computer.
- Connect your iPhone 7 Plus on the computer with the supplied USB cable or connector.
- Wait until iTunes recognize your iPhone.
- If prompted, select the option to Trust This Computer.
- Select your iPhone 7 Plus from the list of available devices in iTunes.
- Click the option to backup your iPhone to iCloud or the computer.
- Click the option to Update iOS on your iPhone.
- Wait until the iOS update installation completes then try to check on AirDrop again.
Software updates also contain bug fixes along with software enhancements. So if the problem you have with AirDrop is triggered by some software bug residing on the iPhone system, the update should be able to get rid of it.
If none of these works, you may try other iOS file transfer tools online. There are actually a lot of relevant software you can download for free or purchase online to carry out the same process. Just be sure to pick the most credible and compatible software for your iOS device. Otherwise, contact Apple Support for other options and recommendations.