AirDrop not working on a Mac? 4 fixes to try

howtosimply.com/guides/airdrop-not-working-on-a-mac-7-fixes-to-try/ · Checked October 2026 · MacBook Neo · macOS 27.0.1

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS 27.0.1 (MacBook Neo)

App

System Settings

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Switch on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both

   Apple's macOS 27 guide: both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on and must be within 10 metres. Open System Settings, Bluetooth and check the switch: on our MacBook Neo it is on. Wi-Fi is the row above it in the sidebar.

   Done

2. 

   Choose who can send to you

   Open System Settings, General, AirDrop & Continuity and set AirDrop to Contacts Only or Everyone on the device that receives. On our MacBook Neo it is set to Contacts Only.

   Done

3. 

   Check the contact card if you use Contacts Only

   With Contacts Only, Apple's guide says you must be in the receiver's contacts, with your Apple Account email address or phone number in your contact card. Our MacBook Neo also lists Known AirDrop Contacts: you appear for 30 days to people you have shared a one-time code with.

   Done

4. 

   Restart both devices

   Apple's last step: restart your device and try again. On the Mac, choose Apple menu, Restart…; on our MacBook Neo it sits between Sleep and Shut Down….

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No AirDrop button in Control Centre Apple's macOS 27 guide: click Control Centre in the menu bar, then AirDrop; it is blue when on. The same choice is under System Settings, General, AirDrop & Continuity, where our MacBook Neo showed Contacts Only (step 2). Source: Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices
• The sender is asked for an AirDrop code Apple's macOS 27 guide: someone who is not in your contacts must use an AirDrop code. Our MacBook Neo lists such people under Known AirDrop Contacts, with a Manage… button. Source: Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

If this does not work

• The other device is still missing Put the devices side by side, and wake and unlock the iPhone or iPad. Apple's guide also says both must be an iPhone, iPad or Mac with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on. Source: Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices
• The transfer stops when you walk away Apple's macOS 27 guide says a transfer that has started continues over the internet if you leave Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range. Source: Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

About this guide

AirDrop sends files between Apple devices nearby. When the other device does not show up, check the switches on both devices first.

Screenshots: MacBook Neo, macOS 27.0.1, dark mode.

Good to know

On a Mac, Apple's macOS 27 guide says some items are saved in the Downloads folder, and some let you choose where to save them.

If you switched to Everyone for a transfer, you can set AirDrop back to Contacts Only or No One afterwards.

How sending works: how to use AirDrop on a Mac and how to use AirDrop on an iPhone.

If Bluetooth itself is the problem: Mac Bluetooth not working: 7 fixes to try.

In short: Close together, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, AirDrop on, receiving set to Contacts Only or Everyone, restart.