FoneTool
How to Fix Airdropped Photos Not Showing Up on iPhone/iPad
Photos from AirDrop not showing up? This guide will show you how to fix the airdropped photos not showing up on iPhone and iPad problem.
By Lena / Updated on March 4, 2024
Problem: AirDrop Photos Not Showing Up
Airdropped Photos Not Showing Up in Photos
I airdropped some pictures from my MacBook to my iPhone and it says they were sent but they're not showing up in my camera roll. I have plenty of storage available so that's not the issue. Where did my airdropped photos go? Anyone else experiencing this? Anyone have a solution?
- Question from Apple Community
AirDrop is an easy and quick way to transfer files between Apple devices. We often use it to help us transfer photos from iPhone to iPad and vice versa. However, this time it doesn't work as expected and you find that airdropped photos not showing up on iPhone. Why photos from AirDrop not showing up and how to find these airdropped photos? Read on to find the answer.
Why Are My AirDrop Photos Not Showing Up?
Here are some common reasons for the “airdropped photos not showing up on iPhone” problem.
● Connection Error. The transfer may be interrupted due to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi problems, resulting in images not being transferred correctly.
● The transfer is not yet complete. If you are trying to transfer a large number of photos, it may take some time to complete the transfer. You cannot view airdropped photos because they have not been transferred.
● iOS System Issues. Software glitches can also cause airdropped photos not showing up on iPhone issue. The library catalog to show photos may goes wrong.
How to Fix AirDropped Photos Not Showing Up Problem
You can follow the steps below one after another until the problem is solved. If you want to use the photos as soon as possible, you can go to Tip 5 to get some other ways to transfer photos quickly.
Tip 1. Make Sure Settings Are Correct
AirDrop will only work when all conditions are met, otherwise, you will encounter AirDrop not working problem. Go check that all settings are correct and make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are working properly.
Tip 2. Restart Your iPhone/iPad
A simple reboot may help fix system glitches that caused the “airdropped photos not showing up on iPhone” problem.
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 Apple logo.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press both the power button and volume - button for seconds until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 6s or earlier: Press both the power button and the Home button for seconds until you see the Apple logo.
Tip 3. AirDrop Photos in Smaller Groups
Although there is no theoretical limit to AirDrop, it may fail when you try to AirDrop a large number of image files at once. If you want to AirDrop multiple photos, it’s recommended to send them in smaller groups. You can try to AirDrop less than 50 photos at a time.
Tip 4. Fix AirDropped Photos Not Showing Up on Instagram
This is another situation, the airdropped photos show up in Photos app but not Instagram. You may want to add the airdropped photos to IG but the photos don’t show up for you to choose from. Why airdropped photos not showing up on Instagram? This is related to the photo display.
The airdropped photos show up as most recent in Photos app, however, they are pushed back to the date the photo was created in Instagram. You may try to swipe forward to find the airdropped photos.
Tip 5. Transfer Photos in Other Ways
AirDrop is not the only option for photo transfer. When AirDrop goes wrong, you can rely on other tools to help you transfer photos.
Transfer Photos via AirDrop-like Apps
Besides AirDrop, there are many AirDrop-like apps that can also help you transfer photos wirelessly, such as Snapdrop, Xender, SHAREit, Zapya. In addition, these tools also work on Windows computer. You can let them help you AirDrop photos from iPhone to PC.
Transfer Photos via FoneTool
Compared with wireless transfer, wired transfer is relatively more stable because it will not be affected by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. If you want to transfer photos via USB cable, you can let FoneTool help you make it.
FoneTool is one professional iPhone data management tool for Windows PC users. You can let it help you transfer photos between iPhone and computer, between iPhone and another iPhone/iPad. Below are the methods to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone.
1. Download, install and launch FoneTool.
2. Connect source iPhone to computer.
3. Click Phone Transfer > Choose iPhone to PC option and click Start Transfer .
4. Select the photos you want to transfer and click OK to continue.
5. Choose a path from Transfer Settings to save your photos > Click Start Transfer to transfer photos from iPhone to computer.
6. Unplug source iPhone and connect target iPhone.
7. Choose PC to iPhone option > Select the photos you exported before.
8. Finally, click Start Transfer to add photos to iPhone.
Final Words
When airdropped photos not showing up iPhone, you can try to restart your iPhone or AirDrop photos in a smaller group. If all methods don't work, you may let AirDrop-like apps help you transfer photos wirelessly or let FoneTool help you transfer photos via the USB cable.