I cannot get my iphone 12 to recognise my Macbook air. I would like to airdrop photos

Depending on a few things that may make difference, you could change settings

in some of the Continuity items in the Support article; to see how that could help.

• Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204681

• How to use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204144

Also if some devices &/or Mac are way apart in versions, you may need consider

update/upgrade device's iOS; or the Mac OS. These cannot be reverted to older.

While my iPhone is not at latest version and my Macs aren't either ~ they work.

Q: i have a macbook air and i can not see airdrop option ,, what to do ? - Apple Community

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253127127

This reply to another ASC may/not have clues & could help.

PS:

Other ideas are among these two Support sources:

• Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to devices near you - Apple Support (iOS 13/14)

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-airdrop-to-send-items-iphcd8b9f0af/13.0/ios/13.0

• Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/send-files-between-devices-with-airdrop-mh35868/mac

Good luck & happy trails!⛵️🎣