No Airdrop icon on Finder side bar

This is a bug that many have reported. Open Finder then force quit Finder (command-option-esc) then it will return. But it will be gone at next boot up so need to do it again. You can also open Airdrop from "Go" in the top menu.

You probably just need to delete Finder preferences.

In the meantime, pressing Command-Shift-R will open AirDrop very quickly.

To delete Finder preferences:

1) In Finder, press Command-Shift-G and paste

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

2) Drag the file to the trash

3) Press Command-Option-Escape to open the Force Quit window.

Select Finder in the list, and click Relaunch.

KEForex wrote:

Maxed out M4 MacBook Pro running the latest OSX. The airdrop option at the left pane in finder isn't there and I can't turn it on under finder preferences. When clicking on the box to turn it on, it immediately turns itself off.

It's a bug - Apple please correct this.

I have tried everything and one online solution was able to turn it on but once the computer is restarted, the airdrop option disappears from finder again and it can't be turned on again. Very frustrating.

To be proactive you can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

The current stable release of Sequoia including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 15.3.1

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Did not work for me.