How to Fix AirDrop Only Working One Way on iPhone and Mac

 Problem: AirDrop Only Working One Way

AirDrop helps us share photos, videos, contacts, location, etc. easily between iPhone, iPad and Mac. With just a few clicks, the data can be transferred to the target device in an instant. However, when you try to AirDrop data between two devices, you find that AirDrop only working one way.

Well, AirDrop is not a bug-free utility and AirDrop not working problem is mentioned by users from time to time. Here in this guide, we will focus on the “AirDrop only working one way” issue. You will know why does AirDrop only work one way and the solution to this issue.

Why Does AirDrop Only Work One Way?

Here are some of the main causes of the “AirDrop only working one way” problem.

● Wrong AirDrop Settings. Some of the options that allow AirDrop to work smoothly may not be turned on.
● Software Glitch. A minor glitch or a deeper software issue on iPhone or Mac may lead to the AirDrop only working one way issue.
● The Firewall Blocks AirDrop. It is possible that the VPN or firewall is preventing the Mac from receiving photos shared from the iPhone.

How to Fix AirDrop Only Working One Way

Here are some solutions that can help you fix the AirDrop only working one direction problem on iPhone and Mac. You can try these methods one after another until the problem is solved.

Fix 1. Restart iPhone and Mac

Sometimes, a simple reboot may help fix system glitches that caused the AirDrop only working one way problem. You can try to hard reboot the iPhone.

• iPhone 8 or later: Press the volume+ button and then quickly release. Press the volume- button and then quickly release. Press the side button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press both the power button and volume- button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.
• iPhone 6s or earlier: Press both the power button and the Home button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.

Fix 2. Check Basic Settings

AirDrop will only work when all conditions are met. Check to make sure that all AirDrop-related buttons are turned on and the correct options are selected.

If you find that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are already enabled, you can try turning them off and then on again. Please make sure that Personal Hotspot is turned off on both devices.

Don’t forget to check the discovery settings, it’s recommended to choose Everyone. If you have selected Contacts Only, please make sure that you are in each other's Contacts. In addition,  make sure both the devices have logged into iCloud.

Fix 3. Turn off Firewall on Mac

The firewall may block the connections so the AirDrop only working one direction problem occurs. If AirDrop works from the MacBook to the iPhone but not from the iPhone to MacBook, you can turn off the Firewall in the MackBook.

This can be configured in System Preference > Security & Privacy > Firewall > Turn Off Firewall. Alternatively, instead of turning off the firewall, you can make it allow incoming connections for the sharing service.

In addition, if you have VPN enabled, you can temporarily turn it off.

Another Quick Way to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone Wirelessly

AirDrop is not the only option for wireless data transfer between two iPhones. When AirDrop only working one way and prevents you from successfully transferring data, you can use a similar application to complete the data transfer, such as AOMEI FoneBackup.

AOMEI FoneBackup is one free file transfer app especially for iPhone and iPad users. This tool helps users to wirelessly transfer photos, videos, songs, contacts and any other data in Files app. Just like AirDrop, the transfer does not require a Wi-Fi connection and does not consume cellular data.

You can scan the QR code below or go to App Store to get AOMEI FoneBackup.

Here’s an example to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone wirelessly.

• Open AOMEI FoneBackup on two iPhones and allow the tool to use the WLAN & access files on the device.
• Go to Connect Device and tap the avatar on either iPhone to establish a connection.
• Now go to File Transfer on the source iPhone > Tap Photos > Choose pictures you want to share > Tap Send and the transfer will start immediately.

You can go to the Transfer List to check the progress of receiving and sending. When the transfer is complete, you can go to Photos app to check the transferred pictures.

Final Words

When AirDrop only working one way on iPhone or Mac, you can first check all the settings. It’s important to make sure all the related settings are correct. If all methods don't work, you can use AOMEI FoneBackup to help you transfer the data first, and then contact Apple support for help when you have time.