Solved: AirDrop Not Working on Mac [7 Fixable Reasons]

Do you frequently use AirDrop to send photos? AirDrop is an essential feature on Apple devices that enables users to transfer important files wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It detects nearby devices within the Apple ecosystem, allowing for the sending and receiving of images, documents, and videos. It is available on both iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Here are some troubleshooting tips for AirDrop issues on your Mac:

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However, some users report that AirDrop not working on Mac is an issue they encounter. There can be several reasons why this happens.

Fortunately, there are some quick fixes you can try. For instance, you can turn off Personal Hotspot. You should also ensure that the devices are close to each other and check that they are compatible with AirDrop.

This article will go over how to fix issues with AirDrop not working on a Mac.

Fix 1: Make sure AirDrop is turned on on your Mac

One of the most straightforward ways to fix AirDrop not working on your Mac is to make sure that AirDrop is enabled. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Finder.

Step 2: Choose the Go menu.

Step 3: Tap AirDrop from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Click “Allow search by:”.

Step 5: Choose “Contacts Only” or “Everyone” from the drop-down menu.

Choose who can be discovered for AirDrop

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Solution 2: Restart your Mac and iPhone/iPad

Another quick fix is to restart the device, which is simple and takes little time.

To restart your Mac, you can do so by going through the Apple menu and selecting Restart. Before doing this, make sure to save any ongoing work.

If the system is unresponsive, you can perform a forced restart of your MacBook. Press and hold the power button until your Mac turns off. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

The steps to restart an iPhone and iPad are the same. Press and hold any volume button and the side button at the same time. Release the buttons when you see the power off slider, then drag it to turn your device off. To turn it back on, just hold down the power button again.

(NOTE: These steps apply to the iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, and later models.)

Fix 3: Check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Since AirDrop runs on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it's crucial to have them turned on. As a troubleshooting step for AirDrop not working on your Mac, try turning off both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and then turning them back on. You can do this by clicking the Control Center icon. Now, click the downward arrow next to Wi-Fi and toggle the switch off. Bluetooth can be done similarly. Turning off Wi-Fi might cause internet connectivity issues and freeze your Mac when checking for updates.

If you want to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, toggle the switches for those as well. Now, check to see if AirDrop is working on your device.

Fix 4: Adjust Firewall Settings on Your Mac

The firewall built into your Mac provides protection by blocking unauthorized apps. It protects your system from incoming connections. One of the main reasons AirDrop might not be working is if you have blocked this specific feature in your firewall settings. If you block incoming connections, AirDrop won't work.

To resolve this issue, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu

Step 2: Choose "System Settings" from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: In the left sidebar, choose Network, and then select Network in the right pane.

Step 4: Choose “Options” to proceed.

Step 5: Untick “Block all incoming connections,” and tick “Allow the computer to accept incoming connections from built-in software.” Click “OK” when you're done.

Step 6. Close System Preferences. If you find that System Preferences or System Preferences.app is unresponsive, the following may help:

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Solution 5: Reset the NVRAM or PRAM

Resetting the NVRAM and PRAM is another solution to try if AirDrop isn't working correctly on your Mac. For M2 and M1 models, you don't need to manually reset the NVRAM, as it's done automatically upon restart. Just restart your system.

The process for resetting the PRAM or NVRAM is the same for older systems, so follow these steps:

Step one: Power down the system.

Step 2: Press the power button.

Step 3: Hold down the Cmd, P, R, and Option keys at the same time.

Step 4: Release all buttons when you hear the second startup sound.

Note: Some settings, like the time and trackpad settings, might be lost and need to be reset. If you want a more detailed tutorial, read the article linked below:

Of course, more can and should be done.

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Fix 6: Update macOS on your Mac

Before proceeding with this solution, make sure to back up your data. While not always the case, in some instances, there is a risk of data loss. However, if you haven't backed up your data yet, don't worry!

Back up your Mac before you update

If the update is interrupted, perhaps because the battery runs out, the entire system could become corrupted – along with all your files. You would have to reinstall macOS and start from scratch.

So, it's better to back up everything before updating MacBook. The process is simple, and you can use any professional backup software. For instance, you can use the all-in-one recovery tool – Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro to help you back up all volumes connected to your Mac.

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Backup Your Mac and Never Lose Data

Back up and restore your MacBook/iMac without Time Machine, iCloud, or external hard drive.

It is a powerful and reliable software that helps Mac users backup their Mac and recover data. This tool can restore images, videos, documents, and more. If you haven't made a backup but need to retrieve your data, this software comes in handy. To explore more features of Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro, follow these steps:

Step 1: Under Disk Clone, click Create Backup and then click Next. You can create an image file of the hard drive backup before data gets overwritten.

Step 2. Select the internal volume you want to back up, then click “Backup Now.” If you want to create a backup or restore data from an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or SD card, connect the storage device to your Mac before proceeding.

Select the disk to back up and click "Next".

Step 3: Choose a location to save the backup file, rename it if you wish, then click “Save.” It is not recommended that you save the backup file on the same storage device from which you intend to recover data.

Now that you've backed up all your data, it's time to update your Mac to the latest version available. If you found this tool useful and easy, please share this page on social media.

How to Update Your Mac

After backing up your data, you can proceed with the update. Make sure AirDrop on your Mac is working correctly, as it's one of the quickest and simplest solutions to keep it up to date. To do this, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu

Step 2: Choose “System Settings.”

Step 3: Choose “General” from the left sidebar.

Step 4: Next, choose “Software Update.”

If there are any updates available, you will need to download and install them. You can also check "Automatically keep my Mac up to date" so that your system will update automatically, without you having to do it manually.

Or, on macOS Monterey or earlier, do the following:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu.

Step 2: Choose System Preferences.

Step 3: Choose “Software Update.”

If no updates are available, refer to the following article to resolve update issues:

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Fix 7: Reset Your Mac

As a last resort, you can reset your system to its factory settings, but it's important to understand that this should be your final option. This will erase all data and return your Mac to the state it was in when you first bought it, which means you'll need to back up your data before resetting your Mac.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu

Step 2: Choose "System Settings."

Step 3: Choose “General.”

Step 4: Click on “Transfer or reset” on the right.

Click on "Transfer" or "Reset".

Step 5: Click the "Erase All Content and Settings" option.

You can back up your data with Time Machine, or skip this step.

8. When prompted with a window showing the items you've selected for removal, click “Continue.”

Step 9: Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”

Step 10: Your Mac restarts.

Step 11: You'll see a progress bar – wait for it to finish, and then reset your system.

If you lost important data after resetting macOS, you can download the tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac Pro to recover files after factory reset Mac.

wrap-up work

AirDrop is one of the standout features of Apple devices, enabling users to send and receive photos, videos, and more. It relies on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and it's particularly useful for Mac users. However, issues with AirDrop not working properly can be frustrating for Apple users.

There are several reasons why AirDrop might not be working on your Mac, such as being too far away from the other device, Bluetooth being off, Personal Hotspot enabled, and more. Fortunately, there are multiple solutions to address this issue.

For instance, you can make sure that AirDrop, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are turned on. You can also reset the NVRAM and PRAM. However, you don't have to worry about data loss when applying any solution! You can use professional data recovery software – Mac Pro Data Recovery Wizard tool.

Tool Data Recovery Software is a reliable data recovery software. You can use this software to recover different types of data. Download and install the Tool Data Recovery Wizard for Mac right away!

FAQ: Troubleshooting AirDrop Not Working

For more information about AirDrop not working on your Mac, read the questions and answers below.

1. Why can I only send but not receive via AirDrop?

If your AirDrop can send but not receive, the issue might be due to outdated software. If you're not running the latest Apple software, you might encounter receiving problems. Hence, it's crucial to ensure that your software is up to date.

How to Transfer from iPhone to Mac?

To share data from your iPhone to a Mac using AirDrop, you'll need to select the data you want to share, then open the Share menu. In the Share menu, tap the AirDrop icon. Next, choose your Mac's icon to send the data. On your Mac, you'll need to accept the incoming transfer.

Why isn't AirDrop showing up on my Mac?

If AirDrop isn't showing up on your Mac, check the distance between devices. If they're more than 30 feet apart, move closer. Also, make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on.

Why can't I find any devices with AirDrop?

Your AirDrop isn't finding your device because it's too far away — more than 9 meters or 30 feet. Make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on for both devices.