Imac airdrop not working with firewall on

chadnchady I removed all utils currently blocked by the firewall filter, Toggled all 3 of the buttons underneath the filter box (Automatically allow built...., Automatically allow downloaded...., Enable stealth mode) off and then back to on again, and Airdrop is back to working again. You probably had the same util script in the filter window that I did. Try removing all and toggle the 3 buttons. Should resolve whatever service conflict was happening.

My airdrop works on all my macs with firewall on.

Make sure Bluetooth is on in all macs and except everybody in airdrop option. Check your Sharing files in system preferences Then reboot everything and try again.

https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac/fix-airdrop-problems-3693158/

One of the problems with AirDrop is it relies on Bluetooth and WiFi - so that’s often the place to start if AirDrop isn’t working on your iPhone or Mac.

So before you start following our troubleshooting advice below, I suggest you do the following:

1. Turn WiFi off and on again on the iPhone or iPad. To do so, open Control Centre and tap on the WiFi icon, and then tap on it again. (If WiFi is on the icon will be blue, if it’s off it will be white).
2. Turn Bluetooth off and on again on the iPhone or iPad. To do so, open Control Centre and tap on the Bluetooth icon, and then tap on it again. (If Bluetooth is on the icon will be blue, if it’s off it will be white).
3. You could skip the above two steps and just turn Airplane mode on and off on your iPhone. Just open Control Centre and tap on the Airplane icon, and then tap on it again. (Airplane mode is on when the icon is orange).

Now turning to your Mac, or the Mac you are trying to share to/from.

1. Turn WiFi off and on again on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the WiFi log in the menu bar at the top right of your screen.
2. Turn Bluetooth off and on again on your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the Bluetooth log in the menu bar.

If having done the above AirDrop still fails to work for you, then read the link article

You haven't told us anything about your system, what year iMac it is or the versions of Mac OS, this is critical information when posting on these forums. iMacs have been made for 20+ years in hundreds of configurations and Mac OS has been out for 20 years too in a variety of releases. So please don't think we have any idea what is causing your problem as you have not given us any clues. If you have the Firewall turned on on your iMac, turn it off as your router (assuming you use one like most people do) already has a firewall. Having redundant firewalls is a poor idea and does not offer additional security. Please read Writing an effective Apple Support Question and then repost.

The built in firewall blocks Airdrop as he has complained about. I am running 10.14 and confirmed his issue on my iMac. You don't need to start switching on/off buttons to solve what is supposedly the most advanced OS.

chadnchady I opened access (on my iMac)for a util in /usr/libexec and got it working (share a file via airdrop from iPhone) for a second, but then forgot which one I added. I will post here again if I can find it.

[Edited by Moderator]