Has anyone seen documentation detailing which Mac models running Yosemite will be able to airdrop to iOS 8? For example, will some of the older Macbook models which can run Yosemite be unable to do this function?
Also very interested in this. I have an older MacBook Air and cannot get this feature to work. My guess is that the Air is too old. Probably requires newer bluetooth hardware is my guess. A shame as I was really looking forward to this feature.
See this article http://www.everymac.com/mac-answers/os-x-lion-faq/what-is-airdrop-which-macs-are -compatible.html
and nd from the Apple page on Airdrop
"AirDrop requires that both Mac computers include Wi-Fi hardware that supports AirDrop mode. Both Mac computers need to have OS X Lion or later installed.
To see if your Mac works with AirDrop, make sure you’re in the Finder by clicking the desktop (the background area of your screen), or by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock. Then, check to see if AirDrop is listed as an option in the Go menu. If you don't see AirDrop listed, your Mac doesn't support this feature.
You won't be able to receive AirDrop files if you have enabled "Block all incoming connections" in the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences.
Macs that include AirDrop support are the same as, or newer than, the models listed below.
*The MacBook Pro (17-Inch Late 2008) and the white MacBook (Late 2008) do not support AirDrop."
I've gotten it to work with my Late 2010 or newer Air with my Late 2009 iMac when Lion came out, but have been unsuccessful doing it between iOS and Mac. I'm wondering if specifically doing iOS8 to Mac OSX Yosemite requires different requirements than stated in the article above (which is talking about Mac to Mac most likely as its from a FAQ about Lion).
I wonder if its something else that is only available with the 8.1 iOS update?
Remember when Apple's theme is to be "it just works"? It's a shame they've slipped so far. What a disappointment that such a heavily touted feature doesn't work at rollout, and we're left to guess what's wrong on message boards. What's happening over at Apple?
I've read other forums saying iOS 8.1 isn't required (like it is for Yosemite to do SMS messaging), but that is a possibility. If it just won't work because of a requirement for newer hardware between iOS and Mac, that's fine as long as they're upfront about it. Waiting until iOS 8.1 to test again seems reasonable, unless there are people that already using AirDrop to Yosemite without it.
I have tried Airdrop with my mid-2011 iMac and mid 2011 Macbook Pro - both running Yosemite and my iPhone 5s (iOS 8.0.2). I can see Airdrop between the Macs but my iPhone does not show up on either (nor does the iPhone see the Macs).
You're iPhone probably just needs a restart. On your iPhone, hold down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button until the boot image (Apple logo) appears. Let the startup commence and then try again.
I failed to airdrop between a Macbook Air mid-2011 (Yosemite) and an iPhone 5 (iOS 8.0.2), too. FreeieGeekie, I tried your reboot recommendation for both devices but it didn't help. If i try to pair both devices via bluetooth manually they disconnect immediately after connecting, which is not quite what I expected.
I also have the same problem, but it seems that the airdrop between iOS and OS X doesn't work in old macs. Handoff is another feature that doesn't work with old macs http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/10/17/best-os-x-yosemite-features-skip-many-ol d-macs/
I just found this in an Apple support article... I guess this article was recently released, I couldn't find it earlier.
I think we have our answer. Thanks for finding it!
Here are some newer articles
For the iOS side http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5887
For the Mac side http://support.apple.com/kb/ht6510
Here is a general troubleshooting Continuity article which may help http://support.apple.com/kb/ts5458
Finder has to be open and viewing the Airdrop to be seen and the allow by at the bottom has to be set correctly.
My machines are too old to test as they don't have Bluetooth LE but It should go.
I just installed Yosemite yesterday on my Retina MacBook Pro (Mid 2012). With the AirDrop window open in the Finder, and with my iPhone 6's AirDrop turned on, I can see my iPhone from my MacBook Pro (and send files appropriately), but not vice versa. Both are logged in to iCloud with the same Apple ID (mine).
This is regardless of whether they are set to Contacts Only or to Everyone.
I've tried "rebooting" my phone with no success, as well as turning AirDrop off and on.
Any ideas? This isn't dependent on 8.1 is it?
This is the exact problem I am having as well with my iPhone 6 and (Mid 2012) Non-Retina Macbook Pro.
airdrop between iOS 8 & Yosemite
