Big Sur Airdrop not recognize older macbook (unable to find "Search For Older Mac")

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Level 1

8 points

Big Sur Airdrop not recognize older macbook (unable to find "Search For Older Mac")

hello I have MacBook pro 13" m1 Big Sur 11.5, I want to transfer the file to my older mac (late 2011) with os High Sierra. I can't seem to find the option "search for older mac" on the new update on Big Sur in Airdrop. I have used this option "search for older mac" before but with the new update (Big Sur) I can't seem to find this option. please help

*to add, i have disabled the firewall, enable file sharing, connect to the same wifi, Bluetooth on etc, I have also watched the tutorial on 1 and only video on this matter since no one talk about it / no one has found the solution { link to the tutorial https://youtu.be/Q8B3jxxOAqc?t=119 (minute 1:59) } and nothing happened.

is there any other solution to this?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Aug 5, 2021 8:15 AM

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Answer 1

Viasual Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 5, 2021 8:41 AM in response to leroydouglas

hello, I appreciate your answer but to my experience, I have received from airdrop on my old macbook pro late 2011 multiple times before, and it's working fine if the sender is the newer mac but that was before updating to OS big sur... i have received from newer MacBook to my older late 2011 macbook under the "search for older mac" button before and the file was sent and received without problem.

while I'm aware that older MacBook can't receive an airdrop from my ios (iPhone and iPad) but it can still receive if the sender device is new (again with the "search for older mac" button on airdrop) now the problem isn't if my old MacBook is supported for airdrop or not, but rather that there was no "search for older mac" button on the airdrop on my new 2020 big sur MacBook pro.

could it be because big sur is not compatible with an airdrop to older mac?

if that was the case then what's the point of updating to Big Sur?

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,310 points

Aug 5, 2021 8:27 AM in response to Viasual

Viasual wrote:

hello I have MacBook pro 13" m1 Big Sur 11.5, I want to transfer the file to my older mac (late 2011) with os High Sierra. I can't seem to find the option "search for older mac" on the new update on Big Sur in Airdrop. I have used this option "search for older mac" before but with the new update (Big Sur) I can't seem to find this option. please help

*to add, i have disabled the firewall, enable file sharing, connect to the same wifi, Bluetooth on etc, I have also watched the tutorial on 1 and only video on this matter since no one talk about it / no one has found the solution { link to the tutorial https://youtu.be/Q8B3jxxOAqc?t=119 (minute 1:59) } and nothing happened.

is there any other solution to this?

Verify if 2011 is supported or not ..(?)

Airdrop has always been a bit finicky on early release

Make sure that your devices meet these requirements:

Both devices are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
Each Mac was introduced in 2012 or later (excluding the 2012 Mac Pro) and is using OS X Yosemite or later. To find out, choose Apple menu  > About This Mac.

Use AirDrop on your Mac - Apple Support

You can always Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

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