junwalla
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Airdrop stopped working after macOS Sierra Upgrade

I just upgraded my macOS to Sierra. Ever since then, Airdrop has stopped working. It opens up Airdrop via finder but does not recognize my other MacBook anymore. Is this a known issue with Sierra?

Posted on Oct 13, 2016 12:46 PM

Close
junwalla

Q: Airdrop stopped working after macOS Sierra Upgrade

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Oct 14, 2016 10:57 AM in response to junwalla
    Community Specialists
    Oct 14, 2016 10:57 AM in response to junwalla

    Hi there, junwalla.

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities! It appears that AirDrop on your MacBook Pro on macOS Sierra isn't seeing your other MacBook Pro to share content between them. I'll be glad to help.​

    Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac -- The first thing to check is that both Mac's are set up to send and receive.

    Turn on and set up AirDrop

    On Mac computers:

    1. Choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder. An AirDrop window opens. If Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is turned off, you'll see a button to turn it on. AirDrop turns on automatically when Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on. 
    2. To receive files from everyone instead of only those in your Contacts app, you can use the “Allow me to be discovered by” setting at the bottom of the AirDrop window. 

     

    Try safe mode if your Mac doesn‘t finish starting up -- Safe mode will make sure your Mac starts up correctly. Test how it responds in Safe Mode. If there are no issues, reboot normally and test in your own user account.

    What is safe mode?

    Safe mode (sometimes called safe boot) is a way to start up your Mac so that it performs certain checks, and prevents some software from automatically loading or opening. Starting your Mac in safe mode does the following:

    • Verifies your startup disk, and attempts to repair directory issues if needed
    • Loads only required kernel extensions
    • Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
    • Disables user-installed fonts 
    • Deletes font caches, Kernel cache and other system cache files

    Together, these changes can help resolve or isolate issues related to your startup disk. 

    How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac -- If the issue is also happening in safe mode, use this article to test another user account. This will demonstrate if the issue is isolated to your account, or if it's system wide.

     

    Let me know how that goes and have a great day!

  • by junwalla,

    junwalla junwalla Oct 14, 2016 2:24 PM in response to sterling r
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 14, 2016 2:24 PM in response to sterling r

    Thanks Sterling for the response. I have tried various options but to no avail. I just don't see the options in Airdrop anymore for "Allow me to be discovered". No options for Airdrop shows up anymore. My Air is 2013 and iMac is from 2012. Does Sierra not support these models anymore?

  • by braden85,

    braden85 braden85 Oct 14, 2016 2:43 PM in response to junwalla
    Community Specialists
    Oct 14, 2016 2:43 PM in response to junwalla

    Thanks for trying the steps Sterling gave you, junwalla. Sierra does work on the models you've listed so we just need to find where the issue is.​

    How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac -- If the issue is also happening in safe mode, use this article to test another user account. This will demonstrate if the issue is isolated to your account, or if it's system wide.​

    Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac -- Before the moving to the next step, be sure your personal information is safe by backing up your Mac. It's always better to "have" a backup than to "need" a backup.

    About macOS Recovery  If the issue is also happening in the test user account, reinstalling macOS Sierra will put a fresh copy on your Mac.

    If you're still unable to use AirDrop between the two, try Sterling's and my recommendations on the second one as well.

    Cheers!

  • by William Kucharski,

    William Kucharski William Kucharski Oct 14, 2016 3:24 PM in response to junwalla
    Level 6 (15,232 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 14, 2016 3:24 PM in response to junwalla

    Did you follow this advice:

     

    • If you're sending to a Mac:
      • If the receiving Mac is using OS X Mavericks, Mountain Lion, or Lion, it needs to have an AirDrop window open: choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder.
      • If the receiving Mac is a 2012 or older model, click “Don't see who you're looking for?” in the AirDrop window or sharing sheet of the sending Mac. Then click “Search for an Older Mac.”
      • Find out if the Mac has “Block all incoming connections” turned on in Security & Privacy preferences. A Mac won't receive items using AirDrop if this setting is turned on.
    • If AirDrop on the receiving device is set up to receive items from contacts only, make sure that both devices are signed in to iCloud. Also make sure that the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID is in the Contacts app of the receiving device.

     

    The supported Macs are still:

     

    • MacBook Pro (Late 2008) or later, excluding the MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008)
    • MacBook Air (Late 2010) or later
    • MacBook (Late 2008) or later, excluding the white MacBook (Late 2008)
    • iMac (Early 2009) or later
    • Mac Mini (Mid 2010) or later
    • Mac Pro (Early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card, or Mid 2010)

  • by otrull,Helpful

    otrull otrull Oct 25, 2016 4:33 AM in response to William Kucharski
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Oct 25, 2016 4:33 AM in response to William Kucharski

    I do have the same problem. I can't transfer from my iPhone (latest version of iOS) to my MacBook Pro (OSX Sierra) via Airdrop. I can't see any device.

  • by junwalla,

    junwalla junwalla Oct 25, 2016 4:35 AM in response to otrull
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 25, 2016 4:35 AM in response to otrull

    Glad I am not the only one. I have tried the above steps that were posted by the community specialists but no luck. I am wondering whether to wipe out my install and go back to an older OS where everything worked well.