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Airdrop doesn't see other devices

Macbook pro 15 inch 2017 with sierra 10.12.6.
When I open airdrop, neither of the other two airdrop devices in the room are seen.

They see each other and they see my macbook pro. they can send files to me, but I can't send files to them.
I have restarted the macbook pro and the iPhone, but nothing changes.

I have turned off the firewall and nothing changed.
What else can I try?


Why the fork am I "not allowed to create or update this content?"
What the fork good is a support group if one can't post to it?

MacBook Pro, sierra 10.12.6

Posted on Mar 29, 2018 8:19 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 30, 2018 9:17 AM

Hello OldFlute,


Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it seems you are experiencing issues with AirDrop and your Mac and iOS devices working consistently. First, please update the macOS and iOS software, as updates can help fix issues like yours.


How to update the software on your Mac - Apple Support

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support



If you're still having this issue, please follow these steps from these Apple resources on AirDrop:

If you can’t see the other device in AirDrop

If you can't see the person or the device that you're trying to AirDrop to, check the following:

  • Check that both of you have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
  • 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.
  • If the other person’s AirDrop receiving setting is set to Contacts Only, and you’re not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone.

If the recipient is signed in to your iCloud account, the item you're sending is automatically accepted and saved. Otherwise, the recipient is asked to accept the item before it's saved to their device.

  • On a Mac, the item is saved to the Downloads folder.
  • On an iOS device, the item appears in the appropriate app. For example, photos appear in the Photos app and websites appear in Safari.

User uploaded file

Tips for sending items

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.
  • 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.



Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac - Apple Support

Use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


Cheers!

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 30, 2018 9:17 AM in response to OldFlute

Hello OldFlute,


Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it seems you are experiencing issues with AirDrop and your Mac and iOS devices working consistently. First, please update the macOS and iOS software, as updates can help fix issues like yours.


How to update the software on your Mac - Apple Support

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support



If you're still having this issue, please follow these steps from these Apple resources on AirDrop:

If you can’t see the other device in AirDrop

If you can't see the person or the device that you're trying to AirDrop to, check the following:

  • Check that both of you have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you have Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
  • 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.
  • If the other person’s AirDrop receiving setting is set to Contacts Only, and you’re not in their Contacts, have them set their AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone.

If the recipient is signed in to your iCloud account, the item you're sending is automatically accepted and saved. Otherwise, the recipient is asked to accept the item before it's saved to their device.

  • On a Mac, the item is saved to the Downloads folder.
  • On an iOS device, the item appears in the appropriate app. For example, photos appear in the Photos app and websites appear in Safari.

User uploaded file

Tips for sending items

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.
  • 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.



Use AirDrop to send content from your Mac - Apple Support

Use AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


Cheers!

Airdrop doesn't see other devices

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