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My 2017 MacBook no longer recognizes airdrops. Even when other devices see it, it will not acknowledge the airdrop. And occasionally my Iphone 11 doesn't even see my macbook. I have done every check above and still nothing.

Why won't my 207 MacBook accept airdrops? This feature used to work and now it doesn't. I have done everything in the support article, and it still doesn't see my Iphone and my Iphone doesn't see it.

MacBook, macOS 10.12

Posted on Dec 5, 2021 11:47 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 5, 2021 4:00 PM

Depending on which systems are present in iPhone & Mac,

iOS/macOS these may need updates or upgrades. (Or not.)


Articles from both sides, more or less cover the same areas.


• Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to nearby devices - Apple Support (varies content by iOS13/15)

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-airdrop-to-send-items-iphcd8b9f0af/14.0/ios/14.0


• Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you - Apple Support (varies: macOS10.13/macOS12)

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/send-files-between-devices-with-airdrop-mh35868/10.15/mac/10.15


"AirDrop transfers information using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—both must be turned on. To use AirDrop, you need to be

signed in with your Apple ID. Transfers are encrypted for security."


Should you back-track some, there are other details in both these devices that may need re-set or checked.


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

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


Within Continuity, references to AirDrop; are among at least two features that can affect all others.

Sometimes iCloud settings may also be an issue; depending on your configuration & vintage OS.


Good luck & happy trails! ☺︎ ⚖︎ ❄ 🂡

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 5, 2021 4:00 PM in response to tconey

Depending on which systems are present in iPhone & Mac,

iOS/macOS these may need updates or upgrades. (Or not.)


Articles from both sides, more or less cover the same areas.


• Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to nearby devices - Apple Support (varies content by iOS13/15)

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-airdrop-to-send-items-iphcd8b9f0af/14.0/ios/14.0


• Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you - Apple Support (varies: macOS10.13/macOS12)

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/send-files-between-devices-with-airdrop-mh35868/10.15/mac/10.15


"AirDrop transfers information using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—both must be turned on. To use AirDrop, you need to be

signed in with your Apple ID. Transfers are encrypted for security."


Should you back-track some, there are other details in both these devices that may need re-set or checked.


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

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


Within Continuity, references to AirDrop; are among at least two features that can affect all others.

Sometimes iCloud settings may also be an issue; depending on your configuration & vintage OS.


Good luck & happy trails! ☺︎ ⚖︎ ❄ 🂡

Dec 26, 2021 4:26 PM in response to tconey

Depending on which version macOS the computer is on now

that can be the difference; however it really shouldn't matter.


The Mac and iPhone may see each other ~ once macOS is either

re-installed or upgraded to High Sierra 10.13.6 (or Mojave 10.14.6)


My iPhone still saw Macs as often had much newer iOS than Mac;

since the iPhone has/had more recent update/upgrades available..


Now the iPhone has iOS 15.2; and Macs here, have an assortment.

Mid 2012 MacBook Pro 13-inch 2.5GHz has Mojave 10.14.6. Does OK.


Late 2012 Mac mini 2.3GHz quad-core/server has four macOS on

each of two partitioned internal HDDs. The Mini original server 10.9.

is not considered (by me) to be practical; but, shipped w/ Mac mini.


(Newest not fully installed; Catalina. Next down, Mojave. Presently

it runs daily in High Sierra. That, installed over El Capitan, 2 mo. ago.)


An older iPhone 5C was OK with different system versions in Mac;

hand-off & continuity aside. Some required many efforts w/ restart

in order to make them eye-to-eye. A newer macOS either makes

or breaks a frail connection. The two will see each other via Wi-Fi.

But may fail to if they're later not able to use cellular equally well.


Dec 26, 2021 2:04 PM in response to tconey

I think I had the same problem. Airdrop from the mac to the iPhone worked. The mac showed up in the iPhone, but when sending files, no files came through. AirDrop was waiting and waiting. Restarting the mac did not help. The soution was to change the firewall settings. Untick the block all option and press ok. Then a whole bunch of airdrop transfers came through...

Dec 26, 2021 3:50 PM in response to Ingmar Hemsen

Hi Ingmar, unfortunately my firewall was not set to "block" and even now with it completely off I am still experiencing the issue. My Iphone 11 doesn't see my macbook at all. By the way, this all worked without issue until about a year ago. So I know it was an IOS update that's caused this problem, I just don't know which one or how to fix it.

My 2017 MacBook no longer recognizes airdrops. Even when other devices see it, it will not acknowledge the airdrop. And occasionally my Iphone 11 doesn't even see my macbook. I have done every check above and still nothing.

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