How to fix macOS AirDrop not discovering nearby iPhones or iPads on your Mac

macOS KB-1046

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix macOS AirDrop not discovering nearby iPhones or iPads on your Mac. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Quick Tip: Need immediate assistance? 💻 Open a Ticket

Common Causes

AirDrop allows you to quickly transfer files between your Mac and nearby iPhones or iPads. If your Mac is not discovering nearby Apple devices, it is usually due to connectivity settings or visibility restrictions. This guide walks you through the steps to restore AirDrop functionality on your macOS device.

Quick Fix Steps

Before moving to detailed instructions, try these basic checks:

Ensure both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on your Mac and the iOS device.
Confirm both devices are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID.
Make sure the devices are within 9 metres of each other.
Disable Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad, as it can interfere with AirDrop.

Detailed Instructions

Check AirDrop Visibility Settings

Open Finder from your Dock.
Click AirDrop in the left-hand sidebar.
At the bottom of the window, click the dropdown menu that says No one or Contacts Only.
Select Everyone to allow your Mac to be discovered by any nearby Apple device.

Note: Setting AirDrop to Everyone is useful for troubleshooting. Once your file transfer is complete, you can switch it back to Contacts Only for better privacy.

Verify Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Status

Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select System Settings.
Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar and ensure the toggle is switched On.
Click Bluetooth in the sidebar and ensure the toggle is switched On.

Check Firewall Settings

Open System Settings.
Navigate to Network and select Firewall.
If the Firewall is On, click Options.
Ensure the option Block all incoming connections is not selected.
Click Done to save your changes.

Troubleshooting

Restart Wireless Modules

If AirDrop is still not discovering devices, try toggling your wireless connections:

Click the Control Centre icon in the top-right of your menu bar.
Click the Wi-Fi tile to turn it off, wait five seconds, and turn it back on.
Click the Bluetooth tile to turn it off, wait five seconds, and turn it back on.

Restart Your Devices

Occasionally, a software glitch prevents discovery. Restart both your Mac and your iPhone or iPad, then attempt to send a file via AirDrop again.

Update macOS and iOS

Ensure both devices are running the latest software versions:

On your Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Install any available updates and restart your devices.

Warning: If you are using a managed Mac provided by your organisation, some network or firewall settings may be controlled by your IT administrator. If you cannot change these settings, please contact your internal support team.

If you have completed these steps and AirDrop is still not working, you can Open a Ticket for further assistance from our Brisbane support team.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

💻 Open a Ticket