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Since I updated my iMac to Catalina (10.12.2) I can no longer AirDrop from my iPhone 8 (13.3). Both devices recognize the other, but the phone hangs on "waiting" when I try to send something. I can AirDrop from my iMac to the phone. I can send from my phone to my iPad fine.
Maybe this should have been posted as an iMac issue...not a phone issue...oops
Both are set to discoverable by everyone.
Any suggestions?
iPhone 8, iOS 13
Hello rxwiz775,
Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities. I understand that you're having some AirDrop issues since updating to macOS Catalina.
Which exact iMac model are you using? Identify your iMac model
It sounds like you've done some good troubleshooting already, and the details help to rule out a few possible causes. To clarify, are you able to use AirDrop between your iPad and the Mac? Knowing this would help to further narrow things down.
Does it help if you restart both devices and test again?
It might help to boot your Mac into safe mode and then test again: Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac. This would help to rule out certain software causes. Testing in a newly-created administrator account is a great idea as well, which tells you if you have a system-wide or user-specific issue: How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac
Once you've tested both safe mode and a test user account, feel free to reply back with the results.
Have a good one.
Hello rxwiz775,
Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities. I understand that you're having some AirDrop issues since updating to macOS Catalina.
Which exact iMac model are you using? Identify your iMac model
It sounds like you've done some good troubleshooting already, and the details help to rule out a few possible causes. To clarify, are you able to use AirDrop between your iPad and the Mac? Knowing this would help to further narrow things down.
Does it help if you restart both devices and test again?
It might help to boot your Mac into safe mode and then test again: Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac. This would help to rule out certain software causes. Testing in a newly-created administrator account is a great idea as well, which tells you if you have a system-wide or user-specific issue: How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac
Once you've tested both safe mode and a test user account, feel free to reply back with the results.
Have a good one.
Hi rxwiz775,
Thanks for trying safe mode. Did AirDrop work in safe mode, but stopped working once you restarted back into normal mode? If so, click Apple menu () > System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. I recommend removing any login items here and clicking Apple menu () > Restart and testing. If this resolves the issue, re-add your login items one at a time in order to see which one might be causing the issue: Open items automatically when you log in on Mac
Take care.
Hi rxwiz775,
Thanks for the update. Were you able to test this in a new user account on the Mac? If not, try these steps to create a new administrator account and test to see if the same thing happens there: How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac
Best wishes.
Hey MoonJ
Thanks for your suggestions.
My Mac is a 27inch, late 2012 model.
I tried to start in safe mode. I now know that it has to be the RIGHT shift key that's held down... ha ha...
Everything seems to be working fine now. I can AirDrop in either dirction between iPhone, iPad, and iMac.
Cheers!
Hey Jeremy,
Originally, it worked in safe mode and it worked when I restarted in normal mode. Then it quit. I've done safe mode again with no joy; there's nothing in my login items list.
So what I have is:
AirDrop from iPhone to iPad works well
AirDrop from iPad to iPhone & iMac works well
AirDrop from iMac to iPhone & iPad works well
I just can't send from the phone to the Mac.
Hi everyone!
I really appreciate what you're all doing to help me sort this out...
I was able to set up a new admin account and the same thing happens. The iPad doesn't send to the Mac anymore either. So I'm pretty sure it's an iMac issue...what I have now is:
AirDrop from iPhone to iPad and reverse works well
AirDrop from iMac to iPhone & iPad works well
Cannot AirDrop to iMac from either iPhone or iPad
So I just use messenger to send to the iMac...not ideal, but it works!
Hello there rxwiz775,
We appreciate the additional information! Based on the results of testing, it sounds like your best bet next is to Contact Apple Support to look into this further.
Kindest regards.
And...it's gone again. I can't send to the iMac.
Air Drop Stopped Working
