AirDrop not working on iMac and iPhone after Tahoe update

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AirDrop not working on iMac and iPhone after Tahoe update

iMac Retina 5k 2020 running Tahoe 26.2 / iPhone 17 Pro Max on iOS 26.2.1

Since update to Tahoe on the Mac, Airdrop is not working. Have restarted both devices, Bluetooth is on on both and both on same local network. Any ideas?? Thank you.

iMac 27″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Feb 3, 2026 4:41 AM

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Answer 1

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steve626

Level 6

14,613 points

Feb 3, 2026 6:36 AM in response to joparish

Others have reported these issues with AirDrop after the Tahoe upgrade due to:

Installation of VPN -- completely uninstall the VPN and restart devices (you can reinstall the VPN later but I wouldn't). Most VPNs disable local networking unless they allow split tunnels.
Use of third party (non-Apple) network security tools or monitors (Little Snitch, Norton, etc.). Run a complete uninstaller.
Use of anti-virus. Run complete uninstaller.
The latest one reported here: use of custom DNS settings that interfered with local networking.

The above can apply to the iPhone and/or the Mac.

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