Can't use Airdrop, device isn't discoverable

Since both devices are in Lockdown Mode, I would test that first. Lockdown Mode is designed to restrict certain connectivity and incoming communications, so it may interfere with AirDrop discovery.

Try temporarily turning Lockdown Mode off on both the iPhone and Mac, restart if prompted, then test AirDrop again with both devices unlocked, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, and AirDrop set to Everyone. Also note that AirDrop does not require both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network; it uses Bluetooth and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi.

If AirDrop works after disabling Lockdown Mode, then the issue is likely caused by Lockdown Mode rather than your Wi-Fi or iCloud account. You can turn Lockdown Mode back on after transferring the files, or use iCloud Drive / a USB cable if you need to keep Lockdown Mode enabled.

bananastand2023 wrote:

Both are in Lockdown mode, and logged into the same iCloud.

WHY are both devices in Lockdown mode? Lockdown Mode helps protect devices against extremely rare and highly sophisticated cyber attacks. Are you someone who is so important on the world stage that you need to be so protected? Lockdown mode will also make communications more difficult, which is likely the issue you're seeing using AirDrop.

Another question. Are the Mac and iPhone on the same Apple Account? If they are, you shouldn't really need to use AirDrop. Just about anything I do on my iPhone, I can do on my MacBook Pro using Continuity. See this --> Use Continuity to work across Apple devices - Apple Support

Please check your Screen Time restrictions on your iPhone.

Screen Time

Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps > AirDrop [Enable]

Watch the GIF below

If you have Contacts Only turned On then please add the Apple ID of the sending device to your list of contacts on the receiving device. See the pic at the bottom of this post for better clarity

Probably you have "Receiving Off" ticked. Enable Contacts Only, See the pics below

iPhone

iPad

Macbook

Before you begin

• Make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
• Check that you and the person you're sending to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
• Check if the person you're sending to has their AirDrop set to receive from Contacts Only. If they do, and you’re in their Contacts, they need to have your email address or mobile number in your contact card for AirDrop to work.
• If you're not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone in order to receive the file.

You can put your AirDrop receiving setting to Contacts Only or Receiving Off at any time to control who can see your device and send you content in AirDrop.

You can use the key file where keyboard please send it or it could be the MacBook that’s what could be all of that. We should turn off lockdown mode. That’s the problem.

Remove the VPN, restart, and test again.

bananastand2023 wrote:

Mac has VPN but not using it when this occurs. Lockdown mode is off on both devices, same problems persist. same account both places.

Don't just turn off the VPN. Remove it.

macOS version?

Same Apple Account everywhere?

Which Mac model and year?

Any add-on VPN apps?

bananastand2023 wrote:

Removing Lockdown mode did not fix it. I'm tired of people saying "it's lockdown mode!" like a catch-all when you don't know the actual problem or solution.

Very often, the actual problem and solution are not obvious or immediately known. Troubleshooting is an incremental process. You start with the obvious, easy-to-fix things, like turning off unneeded security. If that fixes the problem, great. If it doesn't, you've removed one possible issue and can proceed to others.