/PowerMyMac /Top Ways on How to Fix AirDrop Not Working on Mac
Is AirDrop not working on your Mac computer? Fortunately, you don’t have to pull a lot of strings just to get it back going again. In this article, we will show you various tips you can use to fix the problem of AirDrop not working on Mac. We will end the article by giving you possible reasons why AirDrop is not working. In this way, sharing will be easy again once and for all. Let’s get started.
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Top Ways to Fix AirDrop Not Working on Mac
Dec 11, 2017 Make sure that both devices support AirDrop. AirDrop is only available for iOS 7 and later devices. AirDrop is also available for Mac, iPhone, & iPad. However, iPhone 4S and older devices do not support the feature. Q: My iPhone can’t receive files from Airdrop. A: The first thing you need to check is your Airdrop is discoverable? Using AirDrop to Transfer Files Between Macs. Open AirDrop on both Macs, you can do this through any Finder window by clicking “AirDrop” in the sidebar or by hitting Command+Shift+R from anywhere on the Mac OS X desktop. Macbook and iPhone not discoverable on bluetooth or airdrop. Ask Question Asked 3 years, 9. Do this then restart Bluetooth and your devices should now be discoverable. Share improve this answer. 414 1 1 gold badge 8 8 silver badges 21 21 bronze badges. Add a comment 0. In order for my air drop to work on my MAC, I changed.
Method 01: AirDrop Not Working on Mac? Make Sure You Are Discoverable
AirDrop has control settings allowing you to set if your device can be seen by others or not. In this way, you can block certain devices from actually appearing. Or, you can also allow specific individuals to see you.
These discovery settings are the following:
Log me in for mac. Each computer you want to access must be running the LogMeIn host software.
How Do I Make My Mac Discoverable For Airdrop
To make sure you are discoverable within AirDrop on Mac, you should access the discovery settings within Finder. Here’s how to do it:
Step 01: Open Finder and go to its sidebar and choose AirDrop. Or you can opt to choose AirDrop within the Go menu of Finder.
Step 02: A window for AirDrop Finder will appear. Press the text that says Allow Me To Be Discovered By. A menu that comes in drop-down form will show up. This will display the discovery settings.
Step 03: Select the appropriate discovery setting. If you ‘re having issues being seen on AirDrop, you can simply choose Everyone.
Method 02: Activate Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
AirDrop uses Bluetooth in order to find devices located within 30 ft. Wi-Fi is used to transfer the data between two devices. AirDrop won’t function properly if one of the two devices is deactivated. Here’s how to activate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi within your Mac:
Step 01: Launch a Finder window. Then, choose AirDrop within the sidebar. Or, you can simply choose AirDrop located within the Finder’s Go menu.
Step 02: The window for AirDrop Finder will open. It will ask you to activate your Bluetooth device if it is turned off. Simply press the button for Turn On Bluetooth.
Step 03: Go to System Preferences located in the Dock. Or, you can go to System Preferences within the Apple menu.
Step 04: Select the preference pane called Network. In its sidebar, select Wi-Fi. Then press the button for Turn Wi-Fi On.
Method 03: Ensure That All Devices Are Awake
One of the reasons why AirDrop is not working on Mac (or the device it wants to share with) is that these devices are not awake. This means the iPhone you want to AirDrop with is locked. Or, the Mac you are using is asleep.
With iOS devices, to use AirDrop, the display has to be actually active. On your Mac computer, make sure it is awake. So, in order to make sure the iOS device you are sending to is active, simply press the Sleep/ Wake button. If the iOS device shows the lock Screen, AirDrop may still function; however, you have to accept notifications from AirDrop that is displayed within the lock screen.
On your Mac, awaken the device by pressing your keyboard. Any key will do. Or, you can move the mouse or press the trackpad. You can also awaken the Mac computer by pressing the switch for Power for a brief moment.
In order to prevent your Mac from sleeping, you can set Energy settings through the preference pane called Energy Saver. Or, if you don’t want it to be awake all the time, you can set it to wake up for longer periods instead of “all the time.”
Method 04: Make Sure Your Mac Is Not in Airplane OR Do Not Disturb Mode
Another reason why AirDrop is not working on Mac is because people forget that they set it to Do Not Disturb or Airplane Modes. The latter deactivates wireless radios (e.g., Bluetooth and Wi-Fi). AirDrop relies on these wireless radios to do its job.
Do Not Disturb within the Mac can hinder AirDrop from working properly. In order to disable Do Not Disturb mode in Mac, do the following:
Mac 10 for sale. Step 01: Launch the Notification panel within your Mac computer.
Step 02: Scroll upwards. Do this even if you think you are already located at the top-most part. You will see the settings for Do Not Disturb.
Step 03: Toggle the Do Not Disturb setting off.
Other Reasons Why AirDrop Is Not Working on Your Mac
If you have gone through the steps above and AirDrop still isn’t working, then you should look for the reasons below. We will include other reasons why your AirDrop isn’t properly working on your Mac device. These reasons might be able to help you troubleshoot the problem.
Your Wi-Fi Is Not Available
If your Mac device is sharing its own Internet connection to that of other devices, it won’t be available for AirDrop. Toturn it off , you have to go to System Preferences. After this, you select Sharing. Finally, deactivate Internet Sharing .
If the device you’re connecting to, an iPhone for instance, is sharing its connection to that of another device, then AirDrop won’t work as well. As stated previously, if Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb Mode is turned on, your AirDrop feature might not work properly.
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The File Size Is Too Large
Usually, there are no limits to the size of the file you’re trying to send through AirDrop. Also, it’s false to believe that a file won’t push through to the other end because you ran out of data or space within iCloud.
But, if the file you are trying to send is too large, it will take a lengthy period of time to complete sending. You might think AirDrop isn’t working because of the lengthy waiting process. Or, maybe, the device you are trying to send the file to don’t have enough space. This might be a concern as well. Make sure your friend has enough storage to accommodate the file you are trying to send.
Bluetooth Problems
Your Bluetooth might actually be causing the problem. If so, make sure you disconnect all devices connected to your Bluetooth. Also, you can turn it off and turn it back on again. Try connecting your Bluetooth to another device if it works. If it’s having problems, then troubleshoot your Bluetooth using online guides.
Disable Your Firewall
Your Firewall can be preventing you from using AirDrop and sending a file to another person. In order to disable firewall, you should visit System Preferences. Then, visit Security & Privacy and then Firewall. After this, press Turn Off Firewall. Also, you have to double check if Block All Incoming Connections is activated on your firewall. If it is, then turn it off.
Use The 802.11ac Network
If you are having problems, you can switch to that of the 802.11ac network. If this is available on your device, then use this instead. This is because 802.11n networks experience a lot of issues with the AirDrop feature.
The Two Devices Are Far Away from Each Other
You have to make sure the two devices are close enough to connect to each other. This means you have to be within 9 meters to 10 meters away from each other. This is recommended by Apple themselves and is the range of Bluetooth class 2 devices which is typically found in mobile smartphones and tablets.
You Are Not within Their Contacts App
As mentioned earlier, there are three types of discovery settings, Everyone, Contacts Only, and No One. The recipient you are sending the file to might have put their AirDrop to Contacts Only and you aren’t included in their Contacts list.
To solve this problem, get your friend to add you within their device’ Contacts list. If they are using an iPad or an iPhone, they can simply do this by going to Contacts and pressing the plus (+) sign. Then, they can add you as a contact. On Mac computers, they can simply press Space + CMD and type out Contacts. Open the application and then add your contact information.
The two devices will connect and work in AirDrop if both the sender and the recipient have each other’s contact information in the Contacts app. The easiest solution to this is to change the discovery settings to Everyone. Although, you should switch to Contacts Only or No One after you have one doing so. This is to protect your device from getting malicious viruses or even prevent you from mistakenly sending a file to somebody you don’t know.
You Might Not Be Logged into iCloud
Make sure that the sender and recipient of the file is signed into iCloud. This is an identification purpose allowing your Mac to make sure the recipient is in your Contacts list. How to format my passport for mac. Even if you have the discovery settings set to “Everyone” in AirDrop, it is still important to make sure that the two devices are logged into iCloud.
There Might Be Devices Interfering with The Connection
There are various types of home appliances and devices that can interfere with network connections. These include baby monitors and microwaves, among others. Thus, if you are using the AirDrop feature near a working microwave, it might not work properly. Or, it might stop working altogether. That’s why you have to go to a place where there is no interference from other devices.
The Recipient Declined The Transfer![]()
Do you think AirDrop isn’t working on your Mac? Maybe the recipient just pressed the cancel button by accident and didn’t even notice it. So, in order to make sure you transfer the file, just send it towards the recipient again.
The File You Are Trying to Send Is Not Supported
Multiple file types can be sent through AirDrop. These include contacts, wallet app passes, images, videos, and map locations, among others. However, if you want to share songs (i.e., music) through AirDrop, you will notice that you will be able to share it. However, you can’t send the track directly with this kind of method. The recipient of the music file will receive a specific link allowing them to download the song through iTunes. This is true unless they actually have a subscription to Apple Music.
![]() Your Device Probably Doesn’t Support AirDrop
Apple introduced AirDrop within Mac OS X version 10.7 Lion. This was in 2010. Thus, the feature has been here for nearly a decade. Unless you have a really old Mac computer, it is highly likely that it supports AirDrop. When it comes to iPad and iPhone, AirDrop arrived on these devices through iOS version 7 way back in 2013.
However, during its starting phase, AirDrop only worked between two similar devices. For instance, it works only for transferring files between two iPhones or between two Mac computers. Transferring files between Mac computers and iOS devices only became possible on 2014 with iOS version 8 and Yosemite. Now, devices with operating systems after the said two (iOS 8 and Yosemite) support AirDrop.
Also, any iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad that runs on iOS version 7 or later can use AirDrop to transfer files to that of another OS device. If you are considering using AirDrop to transfer files from one Mac to another, AirDrop can work within older Mac devices. These include the following:
In Conclusion
There are various reasons why AirDrop is not working on your Mac computer. You can check out our guide above to learn various ways of fixing the issue. We hope that this guide has helped you fix your problems with AirDrop and that you can now easily transfer files between devices. Happy AirDrop-ping!
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How Do I Make My Mac Discoverable For Airdrop On Ipad
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Bluetooth is a wireless technology that you can use to connect a keyboard and mouse to your Mac. While WiFi connects the computers and other devices within a home or place of business to create a local-area network, Bluetooth has a much shorter range, about 30 feet. Bluetooth is designed to create a personal network around an individual. Bluetooth can link your Mac to your cell phone and PDA, allowing address book updates to be shared among all devices, a process called synchronizing.
Two Bluetooth devices can’t talk with each other until they have been formally introduced, a process called pairing. To pair two Bluetooth devices, you have to get one of them in a special state called discoverable. How this is done differs for each device. In some cases, you press a special button or hold down a regular button longer, or you must navigate through cell phone menus. The details are in each device’s manual.
Never throw out the instruction booklet that comes with a Bluetooth device. If you do lose the booklet, check the manufacturer’s Web site. Most have instructions online for recent models.
How Do I Make My Mac Discoverable For Airdrop Windows 10
You configure Bluetooth by clicking the Bluetooth icon at the top of your Mac’s screen. The list you see includes options to turn Bluetooth on and off, make your Mac discoverable by other Bluetooth devices, and browse for files on Bluetooth devices. You can also open the Bluetooth preferences screen, which is also available from System Preferences.
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