AirDrop not Working

Question

Level 1

10 points

AirDrop not Working

About 1 month ago, I bought a refurbished MacBook Pro Mid-2010, running on a really old Mac Software. So I did command-R, and pressed "Install New Version of macOS" and I clicked. After 3 hours of waiting, it was now running on macOS Sierra. I went to AirDrop, and it has this

I quickly googled the problem, and said that AirDrop is supported on MacBook Pro 2008 and later, I'm on MacBook Pro Mid-2010. Whats going on.

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), MacBook 15.4 iNch Mid-2010

Posted on Aug 13, 2017 10:50 PM

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Answer 1

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Aug 14, 2017 2:49 PM in response to AppleFan124

Hi AppleFan124,

Thank you for contacting Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it seems like you updated to macOS Sierra and you do not see other computers in AirDrop. Since you have a MacBook Pro Mid 2010, it meets the requirements but the other computers or iOS devices may not, which have different requirements. I would recommend you read this article, it explains what requirements need to be met for this feature to work.

If you don't see the recipient in the AirDrop window or sheet:

Make sure that both devices have AirDrop turned on and are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other.

If you're sending to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

Your Mac needs to be a 2012 or newer model with OS X Yosemite or later.

The iOS device must be using iOS 7 or later and have Personal Hotspot turned off in Settings > Cellular.

To send items to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or to receive items from those devices, you need a 2012 or later Mac model with OS X Yosemite or later, excluding the Mac Pro (Mid 2012).

Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac
Cheers.

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Answer 2

Nov 9, 2017 11:31 AM in response to brenden dv

I have the same problem on my MacBook Pro and went through the gamut to verify this laptop supports AirDrop, checking all the settings and preferences, upgrading, signing in and out, unblocking, toggling, rebooting, resetting NVRAM and SMC. The only clue is in AirDrop window is not even showing the options for "Allow me to be discovered... and Don't see who..." :

:

So it does not seem to be an issue with the IOS devices, rather some kind of glitch in the Airdrop software or set up on the laptop.

If there is any other things we can try, please let us know.

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Answer 3

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Aug 14, 2017 3:26 PM in response to AppleFan124

Hey AppleFan124,

Thanks for the update. Since the MacBook Pro does not see the iPhone SE and the iPhone SE does not see the MacBook Pro, that is because in order to use AirDrop with an iOS device, you need a 2012 Mac model. Another few reasons the MacBook Pro or other devices are not discoverable are if incoming connections are being blocked by preferences. You may also want to make sure you are signed in with your Apple ID on all of your devices.

To send items to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or to receive items from those devices, you need a 2012 or later Mac model with OS X Yosemite or later, excluding the Mac Pro (Mid 2012).

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.

make sure that both devices are signed in to iCloud.

Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac
Another reason you may not see other devices or computers may be if Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not turned on.

Make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby. You can't AirDrop to users who are out of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.

Share content with AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Take care.

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Answer 4

AppleFan124 Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 14, 2017 2:57 PM in response to brenden dv

All of my devices (iPhone SE) meet this standard, my MacBook won't give nor receive anything. When I go to the AirDrop in my Finder, it does not have the "Allow Me to Be Discovered By" option, nor the option that says "Don't See who your looking for?" option either. As you can see in the photo I have provided. However, I have not tested this with another MacBook Pro. I did test it with my iPhone SE, but nothing shows up on my MacBook Pro. Nothing shows up on my iPhone either. Do you have anymore fixes?

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