How do I restore AirDrop on a 2013 iMac running Catalina?

I have a 2013 iMac running Catalina 10.15.8 and AirDrop has gone away. Now in Finder it says “domain-AirDrop” in its place. When I click on this item a pop-up comes up stating “domain-AirDrop can’t be opened because the original item can’t be found.” I’ve had this device for probably 10 years now and I am starting to worry something got deleted at some point that should not have been.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: AirDrop is Gone

iMac 27″

Posted on Aug 11, 2026 9:48 PM

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1 reply

Aug 11, 2026 11:24 PM in response to reynoldsla31

For MacOS Catalina : Apple support's article (link below) doesn't refer to “domain-AirDrop” at all. It just shows "AirDrop" in the sidebar.

Use AirDrop on your Mac to send files to devices near you - Apple Support


Seems the sidebar with “domain-AirDrop” in your screenshot could have that removed, and "Airdrop" added instead, (if it is not already listed separately further down the sidebar list than we see in the screenshot ?)


How to: Customize the Finder sidebar on Mac - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"You can choose what items appear in the Finder sidebar and how they’re arranged. Sidebar items are aliases to a folder, disk or file. If you add or remove a sidebar item, the original folder, disk or file isn’t moved from its original location.

  1. On your Mac, click (Finder icon) in the Dock to open a Finder window.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • Add a folder or disk to the sidebar: Drag the item to the Favourites section. If you don’t see the Favourites section, choose Finder > Settings, click Sidebar, then select at least one item in the Favourites section.
    • Add a file to the sidebar: Press and hold the Command key, then drag the file to the Favourites section. If you don’t see the Favourites section, choose Finder > Settings > Sidebar, then select at least one item in the Favourites section.
    • Add an app to the sidebar: Press and hold the Command key, then drag the app icon to the Favourites section.
  • Remove a sidebar item: Drag the icon for the item out of the sidebar until you see (x in a circle icon)
    • The link to the item in the sidebar disappears, but the folder, disk or file remains in its original location on your Mac."

________

If needed: Try using Spotlight (eg: via magnifying glass in top menu bar)to search for the airdrop app ... it will likely open for you in a Finder window.


How do I restore AirDrop on a 2013 iMac running Catalina?

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