Fix an AirDrop Transfer That Stalls on Mac
An AirDrop transfer that starts and then stalls usually hits distance, sleep, low space, or a very large batch. The devices found each other, so discovery is not the problem now. Keep both devices awake and close, and retry in smaller pieces.
TL;DR / Quick Fix
Quick fix: bring the devices closer, keep both screens awake, and check free space on the receiving device. Then cancel the stalled transfer and retry with fewer files at once. If one file stalls repeatedly, test that file alone, and keep both devices awake throughout.
Follow these steps
- Bring the devices closer. Move the Mac and the other device within a few feet of each other. A weakening signal during a long transfer is a common cause of stalls.
- Keep both devices awake. Do not let either screen sleep during the transfer. A sleeping device pauses AirDrop, and the transfer may stall instead of resuming cleanly.
- Check free space on the receiver. Confirm the receiving device has enough free space for the files. A full device stalls or rejects a transfer partway through.
- Cancel and retry in smaller batches. Cancel the stalled transfer, then send fewer files at once, starting with the smallest. Smaller batches complete faster and isolate a problem file.
- Test the problem file alone. If one large video or file stalls every time, send it alone. A single damaged or unusually large file can block a whole batch.
- Restart both devices if stalls persist. Restart the Mac and the other device, then retry a small transfer. A restart clears stuck AirDrop sessions on either side.
What NOT to do
- Do not keep retrying a huge batch unchanged. Smaller batches and a closer distance fix most stalls faster than repeated full retries.
- Do not let either device sleep during a transfer. Sleep pauses AirDrop and can leave a transfer stalled rather than finished.
- Do not delete the files to fix a stall. The files are usually fine; the transfer conditions, like distance or space, are the problem.
- Do not turn AirDrop to Everyone permanently to fix stalls. Discovery is not the issue once a transfer has started, so keep discovery at Contacts Only.
Frequently asked questions
Why does AirDrop stall halfway?
Distance, a sleeping device, low space on the receiver, or a very large batch are the usual causes once a transfer has started.
Will the partial transfer resume?
Sometimes, but not reliably. Cancel the stalled transfer and retry in smaller batches for a clean result.
What if one file always stalls?
Test that file alone and check its size and format. A damaged or extremely large file can block an otherwise working transfer.