AirDrop "broken" with Tahoe 26.3?

Seeing the same behavior since two recent updates: One to Tahoe 26.3 and then problem repeated again with update to Tahoe 26.3.1. Macbook Pro (M1 Max) can see iPhone 13 mini (26.3.1) but iPhone cannot see MacBook Pro. Have now turned automatic installs off until this bug quits resetting my machine to "No Pictures For You Today" Airdrop worked normally until these two updates. I turned off Attention Aware features; Turned off Focus; checked Screen Time settings - not turned on. Other articles indicated that Cellular Data and Hotspot can interfere with Airdrop and turned that off; Set Airdrop on the MacBook to receive from 'Everybody' and checked that Bluetooth and Wifi were on. Opened photos and selected three for upload. MacBook able to see iPhone but iPhone not able to see MacBook. Without changing settings I did a restart in Recovery Mode and that seemed to fix the issue and iPhone could see MacBook. Another article suggested First Aid after Recovery Mode, but I didn't need that. I look forward to having to do this again when there is another update or it just fails. Suggestions?

I noticed that it seems to work when I first boot up, but doesn't after some time running the system. It may be a crash in the Bluetooth code that doesn't detect, kill, and restart. If you are able to get into terminal, you can try this (it may ask you for your password):

search: "terminal.app"

bash

sudo pkill bluetoothd

If there are add-on VPN apps or add-on security apps or add-on firewall apps, remove all, restart, and try again.

Have you tried rebooting the devices? Also, you may want to update your iPhone to the current iOS (also 26.3). AirDrop is working fine for me, I sent this screenshot from my iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 26.3 to my MacBook Pro running 26.3.

chappa-ai wrote:

Since "upgrading" (and I'm being too generous with that verb) to Tahoe 26.3 on my MacBook, and 26.2.1 on my iPhone, AirDrop is not working anymore. I used to be able to wireless transfer photos from my iPhone to my MacBook using AirDrop without issue, but with 26.3 my MacBook doesn't show up in the devices list on my iPhone. Yes, both have bluetooth enabled, yes both have wi-fi enabled and are on the same network. Nothing has changed except the iOS update and the macOS update. How can I fix this?

There are some reports similar to yours...I have this in my long list of Tahoe bugs

Airdrop issues ― toggle Everyone and compare you results

chappa-ai wrote:

THIS was the fix, thanks! (It's always something with Apple, geez....)

Good computing chappa-ai ! Appreciate your corroboration

You can file a bug report / submit your Apple Feedback here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos

@chappa-ai experiencing similar issues with Airdrop, both iPhone and Macbook on 26.3, occassionally I can see devices and even get a code through to pair, then after about 3 minutes, they disconnect and can not 'find' each other again. Airdrop feels more like a Romeo and Juliet love affair that is doomed to fail.

Having the same issue but a little unique - I live in a foreign country so I have two iphones - US and for the foreign country. I have added myself in each phone so that I am a contact in each. If I airdrop to my US iphone from foreign country phone number - no issues. If I try to airdrop to my macbook which is same appleid etc as US iphone - I keep getting asked for the airdrop code. VPN ON - VPN OFF - same thing. Airdrop CONTACTS only -ON, EVERYONE - On same thing. I used to be able to send with no issues - now I cannot. YES all settings are the same - already checked but this one issue remains

I am also having a similar problem. MacBook Pro running 26.3, iPhone is running 26.3.1. All my settings are correct. I have always been able to air drop to my Mac, until the update. I can choose my mac to air drop too, but it just spins with "waiting". Never get the code verification or anything. Other people have been able to drop no problem. Any help would be much appreciated.