Failed AirDrop from iPhone 15 Pro to MacBook Pro

Question

Level 1

7 points

Failed AirDrop from iPhone 15 Pro to MacBook Pro

I have an iPhone 15 Pro and a MacBook Pro, all running the latest software. The time is synced and I do not use a VPN. Also, I don't use lock-down mode. Bluetooth is on, and they are both connecting to the same Wifi.

I want to airdrop a small video to my MacBook Pro.

The Macbook Pro is visible when I use Airdrop on my iPhone

I can post the movie to the Macbook Pro

The Macbook Pro asks me to accept the file which I do and I select the download folder

Then it takes about 30 seconds and I get the message on the iPhone: 'Failed'.

What am I doing wrong?

(And yes, it's driving me mad that using the 'ecosystem' is somehow less easy than expected and also unreliable since sometimes it does work.)

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 15 Pro

Posted on Dec 24, 2024 2:52 AM

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Answer 1

Paul Harts Author

Level 1

7 points

Feb 11, 2025 1:03 PM in response to Paul Harts

I've found a really easy solution to my problem, and only wonder why I didn't come up with this before. If you have a cellular plan, and set up a hotspot between your Mac and your iPhone, and sync your clock, and disable lock down mode, then AirDrop works 100% of the time and really fast.

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Answer 2

AlWeir

Level 5

5,103 points

Dec 24, 2024 7:29 AM in response to Paul Harts

Reset your Mac’s Bluetooth module on both Macs

If all else fails, resetting the Bluetooth module on your Mac may do the trick.

This can help resolve deeper connectivity problems with Bluetooth devices.

Navigate to Applications > Utilities and open the Terminal app.
Type the following command in the Terminal window:

- sudo pkill bluetoothd

Press Enter.
Enter your admin password if requested.
Restart your Mac.

You could also try moving it with iCloud between the two Mac's.

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Answer 3

Paul Harts Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 8, 2025 7:49 AM in response to AlWeir

Thank you very much. The big issue for me is the unrealiabilty of Airdrop. I use it quite frequently and sometimes, out of the blue, it stops working. And then, on a second try, it works. Really weird.

Anyway, I did try this on the Terminal, and it did seem to help. So, thanks again, fingers crossed and I'll see if I can find some regularity in the problems.

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Answer 4

Paul Harts Author

Level 1

7 points

Jan 9, 2025 12:16 PM in response to AlWeir

Unfortunately, your solution did not help. Thanks anyway. My Airdrop is and stays an unreliable part of the eco-system, that some days works flawlessly, and other days doesn't work at all, while I can see my Mac and iPhone in the pictograms.

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