"import from ipad or iphone" doesn't work on a macbook pro

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Level 1

9 points

"import from ipad or iphone" doesn't work on a macbook pro

I've seen this post several times without a successful resolution. When an iPad and a MacBook pro with Catalina both are confirmed connected via Bluetooth, the "import from iPad or iPhone functions don't work. The "Take photo", "Scan documents" and "Add sketch" are grayed out when you right-click on the desktop. . All of the responses I've seen, including the one from Apple, say to make sure your iPad is paired with the MacBook and vice versa. But that's confirmed in my system and everything is still grayed out. And I know I can connect using the Photos app. That's not what I'm trying to do. I want to be able to right-click on my desktop and use the "Import from iPad or iPhone" function.

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Mar 2, 2021 3:35 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

sberman

Level 10

274,206 points

Mar 3, 2021 10:13 AM in response to dwboston

This function works just fine for me.

It relies on Handoff. You must set System Preferences > General > Allow handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices to be "On".

Further, at the time I took the above screenshot, only my iPhone was nearby and powered up. My iPad, which was powered off at the time, did not appear.

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Answer 2

Calvin_BT

Level 3

664 points

Mar 2, 2021 4:01 PM in response to Calvin_BT

And also make sure to check if bluetooth is on in mac and ipad

and also, you can connect via USB

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Answer 3

sberman

Level 10

274,206 points

Mar 2, 2021 3:40 PM in response to dwboston

dwboston wrote:

That's not what I'm trying to do.

Unfortunately, you have not told us what you are trying to do. Might you be trying to import a photo? Using what application?

Knowing as little as we do, it seems like AirDrop is your solution.

Use AirDrop on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 4

dwboston Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 2, 2021 3:48 PM in response to sberman

What I'm trying to do is to get the basic functionality of the desktop to work. When I right-click on the desktop there is a very clear function "Import from iPad or iPhone". I don't need advice on how to transfer photos or anything else. I'd simply like the function Apple built into the desktop to work. It clearly doesn't on this computer or iPad when a Bluetooth connection is confirmed.

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