Mac AirDrop Not Working — Discovery & Transfer Failures

Fix AirDrop issues including devices not appearing, transfer failures, stuck on 'Waiting', and connectivity problems between Mac and iPhone/iPad. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: AirDrop uses Bluetooth Low Energy for discovery and Wi-Fi Direct for file transfer. Both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled (do not need to be on same Wi-Fi network). AirDrop visibility settings: No One, Contacts Only, Everyone (for 10 minutes on newer macOS). Firewall settings can block incoming AirDrop connections. Older Macs (pre-2012) may not support AirDrop or have limited compatibility. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi disabled on one of the devices. AirDrop set to 'Contacts Only' but sender is not in Contacts. Firewall blocking incoming connections on the receiving device. Devices too far apart (Bluetooth range is approximately 10 meters). Personal Hotspot enabled, which disables AirDrop. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Ensure both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are ON on both devices. Set AirDrop to 'Everyone' temporarily: Finder > AirDrop > Allow me to be discovered by: Everyone. Disable Personal Hotspot on both devices. Turn off firewall temporarily: System Settings > Network > Firewall > Off. Reset network settings: toggle Wi-Fi off/on, toggle Bluetooth off/on on both devices. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Mac Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.