david braun Author

Level 4

2,563 points

airdrop not working on old air (Mid 2011)

Hello to all

Here I am again with a vintage mac issue :

My wife's Macbook Air, Mid 2011 / MacOS 10.13.6 is refusing any data-transfer through Airdrop.

I checked compatibility (found information telling me any gear datin 2012 or later would work, another place tells me that MacBook Air works from model 2010 and later (couldn't find the link anymore), _but_ system reports says airdrop is in fact supported.

Every setting I can think of was checked:

WLAN is working, all devices are on the same network

Bluetooth is enabled

Distance is < 1 m

Firewall is off,

Airdrop visibility is open for all... (*)

Nothing works with this laptop. All other gear (iphone SE20, Macbook Air Mid 2012, new iPad Pro) interact seamlessly as to be expected. It's just that one pesky Macbook Air.

*) Weird thing on airdrop: There's no option to change visibility...

Anything else I could check/change?

That Macbook's system-report:

here's the nonfunctional airdrop-window:

MacBook Air

Posted on Dec 25, 2022 4:27 AM

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7 replies

Level 10

250,253 points

Dec 25, 2022 4:38 AM in response to david braun

It doesn't show up on 10.13.6 as in later OS versions.

Text below the icon if others can help...

"With AirDrop, you can instantly share data with people nearby.

To share data with Mac users, ask them to enable AirDrop in the Finder.

10.13.6 on left, 10.14.6 on right...

Have you tried dropping a file on the icon both ways?

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david braun Author

Level 4

2,563 points

Dec 25, 2022 4:50 AM in response to BDAqua

Thank you for looking, BDAqua.

Unfortunately, nothing happens. (There's no user showing up, and a file dropped onto this empty airdrop-window doesn't go anywhere (both directions).

The other computer is available through network-connection, though... (both directions, again)

(Screenshot with my iphone on AND my wife's macbook on...)

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Level 10

250,253 points

Dec 25, 2022 9:25 AM in response to david braun

Sorry, I have no phone to test with, I'm deaf, but does the iPhone have Wifi Data? Does it work with the other Mac?

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david braun Author

Level 4

2,563 points

Dec 25, 2022 9:59 AM in response to BDAqua

Yes, iPhone has Wifi, and can transfer/accept transfers with the other Mac (Macbook Air Mid 12, an old fella too :) )

It really is only about the late 11 Mac…

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Level 10

250,253 points

Dec 25, 2022 10:38 AM in response to david braun

Hopefully we can get someone with a phone & a 2011 Mac in here to help...

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david braun Author

Level 4

2,563 points

Dec 26, 2022 1:23 AM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua, sorry, but this is not about an iphone.

it is solely about that old Macbook Air mid 2011 not doing airdrop although it says it does (in the system-profile).

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Level 10

250,253 points

Dec 26, 2022 2:48 AM in response to david braun

Oh, I mistakenly thought it was between iPhone & 2011 Mac only.:(

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airdrop not working on old air (Mid 2011)

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