Airdrop problems for macOS Tahoe 26.2 (2026)

TonyLima wrote:

You can lecture all you want. Even if I had a vpn (I don't) why should I have to uninstall it to run 26.2?? Is this supposed to be an OS or some specialized software whose purpose is unknown?

Not a lecture at all and would suggest you do your own research on VPN use for a better understanding on why that is the case. VPN interfering with network connections is such a common problem that Apple also lists it in their Support article for connectivity issues.

If your device has network connectivity issues, check for VPN and other third-party security software - Apple Support

To answer your question "Is this supposed to be an OS or some specialized software whose purpose is unknown?", the answer is Yes it is specialized software designed to protect your privacy and security. Unfortunately VPN's have been marketed as being some sort of security software where that has clearly been shown to not be the case, along with many data breaches on those companies where users data was revealed. To counter the advertisements from those companies making the security claims and the sponsored posts you will find on many blogs, here are a couple of articles to get you started on your research.

• VPN Use
• https://overengineer.dev/blog/2019/04/08/very-precarious-narrative/

I used AirDrop yesterday between an old iPad running iPadOS 26.2 and my Mac mini M4 running Tahoe 26.2.

It worked flawlessly. I set mine to use between Contacts Only.

There's no problem with AirDrop in Tahoe 26.2 from my experience.

TonyLima wrote:

I apologize to everyone for my tone in that post. I'm very frustrated and let it show. Sorry, I'll try to do better.

No problem I do see you have some posts relating to connectivity issues that do not appear to be resolved, since there have been no recent follow up. Sorry I don't have any additional information that may be helpful in those cases and cannot duplicate them on either of my devices.

Yes, I'm having the same problem since the update and it's pretty frustrating as I take a lot of photos to airdrop on my Mac for my work. It's nothing any of us are dong wrong on our end. Let's just make sure Apple is aware of the bug so they resolve it soon.

winexprt wrote:

THANK YOU!!!

I took your advice and it worked.

No, Thank You for providing an update and confirming the VPN was the cause. Your post is valuable for others to see as well and I suspect will be used by many to also resolve their problems with AirDrop. All too often we see users who don't want to follow up with any of the provided suggestions and prefer to just take another route and complain how everything is Apple's fault. Happy Airdropping!

You can lecture all you want. Even if I had a vpn (I don't) why should I have to uninstall it to run 26.2?? Is this supposed to be an OS or some specialized software whose purpose is unknown?

I apologize to everyone for my tone in that post. I'm very frustrated and let it show. Sorry, I'll try to do better.

I'm not using a VPN.

Jim, please stop. Airdrop breaks for some of us. Most of us (including me) have no vpn. There are many well-documented problems with 26.2.

Best,

Tony

AirDrop has not worked once since I updated to Tahoe 26.2

And I've tried every workaround hack out there and not one has worked.

[Edited by Moderator]

MOD, please delete. Issue has been resolved. See my new post. TIA

Thank you SO MUCH ! Your trick on Terminal solved the problem instantly !!!

Thank you! This worked for me (Mar. 2026, Tahoe 26.4).

FIX: AirDrop – Mac sees iPhone but iPhone does NOT see Mac (Solved)

If your Mac can see your iPhone in AirDrop, but your iPhone cannot see your Mac, this is likely a Bluetooth broadcast glitch on the Mac.

This is NOT a hardware issue.

Here’s the fix that worked:

SOLUTION (Bluetooth Daemon Reset)

1. On the Mac, open Terminal

2. Paste:

sudo pkill bluetoothd

3. Press Enter

4. Enter your Mac password

5. Restart the Mac

After reboot, AirDrop should work immediately.

WHY THIS WORKS

The Mac’s Bluetooth daemon sometimes stops broadcasting properly.

It can still see devices, but it stops advertising itself.

Restarting bluetoothd forces macOS to rebuild the Bluetooth table and restores AirDrop visibility.

SYMPTOMS THIS FIX SOLVES

- Mac sees iPhone

- iPhone does NOT see Mac

- Both devices on same Wi-Fi

- AirDrop set to “Everyone”

- Firewall not blocking

- VPN off

- Still not working

This saved hours of troubleshooting. Hope it helps someone else.