Airdrop shows my apple ID/iPhone, but I can't transfer files.

Question

Level 1

11 points

Airdrop shows my apple ID/iPhone, but I can't transfer files.

So AirDrop on my MacPro Late 2013 running OS 12.6.3, is showing my Iphone with my Apple ID. But this doesn't allow me to send files to my iPhone unless I switch AirDrop to Everyone for 10 minutes. Choosing that option reveals both my iPhone and name and another device labeled 'iphone' (which is also mine and the device that works with AirDrop).

The same happens with sending to my MacPro. It shows the device and "other people" which is the same device. Only the latter works.

I have:

Restarted iPhone and Mac
Updated both devices
turned on and off wifi
turned on and off bluetooth
ENsure my Apple ID has no outstanding alerts.
Tested on a different Mac, same issue.
Added my own contact into contacts, thinking this would trust both sources/destinations.

Why even show the iPhone with my Apple ID and not send files to it, but only when EVERYONE for 10 min works? I'm totally stumped and could use some guidance.

Mac Pro, macOS 12.6

Posted on Feb 7, 2023 2:04 PM

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Answer 1

Grace2211

Community Specialist

Feb 9, 2023 9:02 AM in response to groovdafied

Hello Groovdafied,

We understand that you have to select Everyone in order to AirDrop files between your devices. This would be expected behavior according to the following details:

"Note: The Contacts Only option is available on devices with iOS 10, iPadOS 10, macOS 10.12, or later. The Everyone for 10 Minutes option is available only on iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2,

or later. On earlier versions of iOS and iPadOS, this option is just Everyone. If your device has an earlier version of the software and AirDrop is set to Contacts Only, select Everyone in Control Center

to receive items by AirDrop. You can deselect this option when you’re not using AirDrop."

Click here for more details: Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to nearby devices

We hope this helps.

Take care!

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Answer 2

mario49

Community Specialist

Feb 9, 2023 11:39 AM in response to groovdafied

Hey groovdafied,

Thank you for using the Apple Support Community. Due to the nature of your issue, you may find more information by contacting Apple Support directly using the link below.

Contact Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 3

groovdafied Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 9, 2023 11:17 AM in response to Grace2211

I'm sorry, but this didn't answer my question. The question was why can't I send files to my icon with the full name displayed in AirDrop? Unless I turn on Everyone for 10, I can't transfer files to and from my Mac and iPhone.

As you see in my screenshot, you'll see an AirDrop alias with a graphic icon of a face and the MacPro desktop, but these are unuseable. Only the generic icons that appear are useable, which are the same devices.

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Airdrop shows my apple ID/iPhone, but I can't transfer files.

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