AirDrop conitnually Failing between iPhone and MacBook

I have an iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.0 and a Mac Book Pro 16" running Sonoma 14.0 Every time I try to AirDrop I get a failed notification. I was previously able to AirDrop bewteen the two. I have toggled the radios on both WiFi and Bluetooth and have toggled the AirDrop feature as well. Find my iPhone and Find my Mac are both enabled.

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Sep 27, 2023 11:17 AM

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Posted on Oct 6, 2023 2:34 AM

I have similar issue, Macbook pro 14" MacOs Sonoma and iphone 15 promax iOS 17.0.3, see each other, iphone can send to macbook, macbook can send small image to iphone, but a MOV video file ~500MB, the transfer was good until in the end, it show "failed" on iphone and "cancel" on macbook

26 replies

Nov 2, 2023 11:39 AM in response to MachitoLFC

14.1 did NOT fix the problem for me. My iPhone 12 (iOS 17.1) continually FAILS when trying to AirDrop photos to my MacBook Air M2. My partner's iPhone 15 CAN AirDrop photos to both mine and his Sonoma 14.1 computers.

I still think it's a problem with Sonoma, though. I can AirDrop from the computer to the phone and Airdrop my phone to his phone.

But NOT my phone to my Mac.

Nov 6, 2023 4:53 AM in response to Damon1000

I am experiencing persistent AirDrop issues on my iPhone 16 Pro (iOS 17.0.3) and both my MacBook Pro 14” (Sonoma 14.1) and MacBook Air 13 M2, disrupting my workflow for over six months. Despite exhaustive troubleshooting, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth resets, software updates, and even system reinstalls, the problem endures. The items are recognised, I just always get a “failure” notice. The correct device name appears for AirDrop etc. Very occasionally a duplicate listing with an incorrect icon allows file transfer, hinting at a systemic inconsistency. This issue has not only persisted across different phones but also through recent software updates and even after a complete reinstallation of the operating system on my MacBook Pro.


Sep 30, 2023 1:30 PM in response to CWR0401

Hey CWR0401,


You've done some great troubleshooting steps so far. Does AirDrop fail both ways? For example, from the MacBook Pro to the iPhone or the iPhone to the MacBook Pro?


If you haven't already, we recommend updating to the latest iOS 17 release, which is currently iOS 17.0.2 before testing again: Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


If that doesn't resolve the issue, you may want to reach out to Apple Support directly for a closer look at the fail notification. You can reach them here: Get Support


Take care.

Oct 5, 2023 7:51 AM in response to MachitoLFC

MachitoLFC wrote:

17.0.3 is the latest

That is not what you posted before.


Make sure to reboot the computer and power cycle the iPhone. Sometimes they both just need to be rebooted.


If that does not work, then see if you can turn off Air Drop on the computer, then turn it back on. I was going down that road the last time I had an issue with Air Drop. Sometimes just toggling settings can help.

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


Can the iPhone actually see the computer as an option for the destination?

Oct 31, 2023 6:59 PM in response to CWR0401

I urge everybody to Google "Apple Feedback" and let them know what's going on, because they really aren't paying attention.

However, my.computer is named [ComputerName].

On my iPhone today, I tapped AirDrop and saw [ComputerName} at the top of the list as usual.

But today I scrolled down to find another item named exactly the same, but this one without the correct icon.

I transferred to that and it worked almost instantly.

It's a gibbly, inattentive glitch in Sonoma.

Please let Apple know.

AirDrop conitnually Failing between iPhone and MacBook

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