Terry White3
Level 1 (140 points)

Q: My Mac Doesn't Show to Others on AirDrop

I have a MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display running the latest Mac OS X 10.8.3 with all the updates. My Mac is obviously supported by AirDrop as it is a current model. When I 1st got it, I used AirDrop all the time to transfer files back and forth with nearby colleagues. Then one day I went to use it as I always did and noticed that my Mac no longer showed up to others when we both went to AirDrop. I could see their Macs, but they couldn't see mine. I verified this later with my own MacBook Air 13" (current model) I could see the MacBook Air on the MacBook Pro, but not the other way around. The only way my MBP shows up on thei other computer is if I initiate a transfer to theirs it shows up long enough for them to accept the transfer and do the trasnfer. Once the transfer is complete my MBP disappears from there's again even though AirDrop is open on both Macs.

 

Here's what I've tried based on all the tips I could find on my searches.

 

Yes my MBP is supported by AirDrop (it used to work just fine)

Yes both Macs have Finder windows open with AirDrop active (it used to work just fine and I'm aware of how to use it)

No, the Firewall is NOT enabled on my MBP (never has been).

Yes, WiFi is on

Removed my Apple ID from Users and Groups and put it back in again.

Repiard permissions and the disk.

 

I have an external drive that I sometimes boot from for beta testing software. When I boot from that drive AirDrop works! So this leads me to believe that it's something to do with my internal drive's OS.

 

One tip I saw was to boot in Safe Mode (shift key down) and Repair Permissions. This is where I ran into a new problem. My MBP would hang during the Safe Boot. The progress bar would bet about 1/3rd the way through before just hanging. I let it go for hours and it never booted. After doing a little research I decided ti was time to backup my drive, boot from a clone backup, REFORMAT the internal drive, install a fresh copy of 10.8.3 and have it put the data, apps back on from the backup. After this process was done I tried AirDrop and IT WORKED! Problem solved! Or at least I thought. I closed the MBP after putting it to sleep and moved it back to my office. Woke it up and just for kicks I tried it one more time and to my dismay I could see the MBA, but the MBA couldn't see the MBP anymore!!! I didn't change any settings. It worked once, but now won't work again.

 

I rebooted and it worked! Woohoo or at least I thought. A few minutes after that post reboot success I tried it again and it didn't work. So it seems that it works soon after a restart and then it dies. I tested this theory with another Restart and sure enough the MBP showed up on the MBA (after about 20 seconds, whle the MBA shows up on the MBP immediately every time). I close the window on both Macs and try it again and the problem is back. I only get one use of AirDrop after a reboot from the MBP.

 

I'm at a loss as to what to try next. There has to be some preference somewhere that's keeping it from showing my MBP on other Macs.

 

FinderScreenSnapz008.png

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3), 16GB RAM

Posted on May 12, 2013 7:51 PM

by Terry White3,Solvedanswer
Terry White3 Terry White3
Level 1 (140 points)
A:

Tried again today and it's still working! So apparently one of those 3 files was the culprit. I'm guessing it was the com.apple.P2PSuperviser.plist.

 

In any case, the MBP showed up on the MBA (took about 10-15 seconds) without me having to do anything extra and after both computers were sleep all night.

Posted on May 14, 2013 12:15 PM

Close
Terry White3

Q: My Mac Doesn't Show to Others on AirDrop

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Page 1 of 3 last Next

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman May 13, 2013 12:03 AM in response to Terry White3
    Level 8 (38,732 points)
    May 13, 2013 12:03 AM in response to Terry White3

    Here's the next thing I would try:

     

    I would go to System Preferences > Sharing and turn on File Sharing.

     

    I'm not sure, but you might also need to click "Options" there and turn on "Share Files and Folders Using AFP".

     

    Hope it helps!

  • by Terry White3,

    Terry White3 Terry White3 May 13, 2013 7:32 AM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (140 points)
    May 13, 2013 7:32 AM in response to sberman

    Thanks, but I had already tried that and it makes no difference. Also Filesharing is not on on the MBA and it works just fine.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E May 13, 2013 11:20 AM in response to Terry White3
    Level 8 (49,645 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 13, 2013 11:20 AM in response to Terry White3

    Open Console and select All Messages from the list.

    Then, enable AirDrop and see if any messages pop up related to airdrop or Bonjour. Post anything that looks relevant.

     

    If you are not seeing it on the other computers, it sounds like Bonjour isn't advertising it like it is supposed to.

    Do you have anything like Little Snitch or some Anti-Virus/Internet Security suite installed?

  • by Terry White3,

    Terry White3 Terry White3 May 13, 2013 3:34 PM in response to Terry White3
    Level 1 (140 points)
    May 13, 2013 3:34 PM in response to Terry White3

    Thanks for the tip:

     

    I opened Console and the opened a new Finder window. When I clicked on AirDrop, Console immediately displayed:

     

    5/13/13 6:32:58.024 PM NetworkBrowserAgent[228]: Terminate AirDrop P2P link

     

    I'm not running Little Snitch or any anti-virus/sec software.

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E May 13, 2013 3:45 PM in response to Terry White3
    Level 8 (49,645 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 13, 2013 3:45 PM in response to Terry White3

    There seems to be a problem with the SSL certificate.

     

    From MrPhoneGames on this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3218607?start=15&tstart=0

    Go to iCloud System Preferences on each machine and log out and back in.

     

    The thread also suggests just force-quitting Finder. You can do that by holding down the option key and right-clicking on the Finder icon, then selecting Relaunch.

  • by Terry White3,

    Terry White3 Terry White3 May 13, 2013 3:57 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (140 points)
    May 13, 2013 3:57 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Thanks, I just tried that and no change. The minute I click on AirDrop I still get the Terminate AirDrop P2P link immediately!

     

    Is there a more manual way of deleting/renewing this SSL Certificate?

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E May 13, 2013 4:26 PM in response to Terry White3
    Level 8 (49,645 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 13, 2013 4:26 PM in response to Terry White3

    I don't know.

     

    This thread was in the More Like This section: https://discussions.apple.com/message/15923568#15923568

  • by Terry White3,Helpful

    Terry White3 Terry White3 May 13, 2013 4:39 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (140 points)
    May 13, 2013 4:39 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Thanks for trying, but I think I may have solved it.

     

    I went into the Library/Preferences folder and threw 3 files into the trash:

     

    NetworkInterfaces.plist

    com.apple.P2PSupervisor.plist

    and

    Library/Preferences/System Configuration/CaptiveNetworkSupport/Settings.plist

     

    and now it seems to keep working. I'll give it a day and then mark this as resolved if it continues to work. So far is working everything I click AirDrop (MBP showing up on the MBA) like it used to.

  • by Terry White3,Solvedanswer

    Terry White3 Terry White3 May 14, 2013 12:15 PM in response to Terry White3
    Level 1 (140 points)
    May 14, 2013 12:15 PM in response to Terry White3

    Tried again today and it's still working! So apparently one of those 3 files was the culprit. I'm guessing it was the com.apple.P2PSuperviser.plist.

     

    In any case, the MBP showed up on the MBA (took about 10-15 seconds) without me having to do anything extra and after both computers were sleep all night.

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman May 14, 2013 1:04 PM in response to Terry White3
    Level 8 (38,732 points)
    May 14, 2013 1:04 PM in response to Terry White3

    Nice solve!

     

    On a side note, I wonder if you are the Terry White who co-wrote "The iPhone Book".  I've enjoyed those books since the first one helped me decide to purchase the original iPhone.  One of the most useful tips I found in the early books was putting an "In Case of Emergency" wallpaper on my iPhone.  The original app that was recommended no longer functions, but I found what seems to be a good one to replace it: "alert.md".  That allows qualified Emergency Medical Technicians to quickly and easily see not only your emergency contacts, but physicians, medications, allergies, etc.

     

    Thanks, and apologize for distracting the thread here.

  • by Terry White3,

    Terry White3 Terry White3 May 14, 2013 1:07 PM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (140 points)
    May 14, 2013 1:07 PM in response to sberman

    It is I! LOL, Thanks!

     

    Here's how I do it now:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzQ0v85ow3g

  • by gkmach1ne,

    gkmach1ne gkmach1ne Aug 8, 2013 1:34 AM in response to Terry White3
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 1:34 AM in response to Terry White3

    I have a similar problem.

     

    I have three macs.

     

    iMac on 10.8.4 (bought May 2013) (this is the one I'm typing on at the moment)

    MacBook Pro 15" on 10.8.4 (bought July 2013)

    MacBook Pro 13" on 10.7.5 (bought Sept 2011)

     

    The MacBook Pros can detect one another in Airdrop but not the iMac.

    The iMac detects neither of the MBPs.

     

    In Shared on the iMac it can see the 13" MacBook Pro

     

    in Shared on the MBP 15" it can see both the iMac and MBP 13"

     

    In Shared on the MBP 13" it can see only the iMac

     

    This, to me, is all very confusing.

     

    I can figure out the sharing thing but not the Airdrop issue. Also, I searched for the three files you mention but don't have these on board.

     

    Any ideas?

    Thanks

  • by Blueloony,

    Blueloony Blueloony Nov 26, 2013 10:53 PM in response to Terry White3
    Level 1 (68 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 26, 2013 10:53 PM in response to Terry White3

    Hi,

     

    I've had this problem for quite some time and it started when I upgraded to Mountain Lion from Lion. I've Updated to Mavericks and the problem still persists.

     

    I can't seem to find that file. Any other suggestions ?

     

    Thanks

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Nov 27, 2013 1:23 PM in response to Blueloony
    Level 9 (69,659 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 27, 2013 1:23 PM in response to Blueloony

    Are you looking in the hard drive level library?

     

    You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is marked solved, less people are likely to look at it.


Page 1 of 3 last Next