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Mac · AirDrop

AirDrop is not working between a Mac and iPhone

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices, put them nearby, open AirDrop on the Mac and make the receiver discoverable, then restart both devices. Confirm Contacts Only has matching Apple Account contact details.

Direct answer

Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices, put them nearby, open AirDrop on the Mac and make the receiver discoverable, then restart both devices. Confirm Contacts Only has matching Apple Account contact details.

What this covers

  • AirDrop between a supported Mac and nearby iPhone or iPad
  • Current supported consumer software as reviewed on August 20, 2026
  • The symptom described in the title before a factory reset or hardware repair

What it does not cover

  • ×Windows or Android devices, which do not receive AirDrop
  • ×Billing, ownership, warranty or account-recovery disputes
  • ×Regional features that the manufacturer does not list for your country
Try in this order0 of 4 completed

  1. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

    Reversible

    Enable both radios on the Mac and iPhone, and temporarily turn off Personal Hotspot during local discovery.

  2. Open AirDrop and set visibility

    Reversible

    Open Finder › AirDrop on Mac and choose Contacts Only or Everyone; make the receiving iPhone discoverable as well.

  3. Verify contact identity

    Reversible

    For Contacts Only, confirm the sender and recipient cards include the email address or phone number used by each Apple Account.

  4. Restart both Apple devices

    Reversible

    Restart Mac and iPhone, then retry with one small file while the devices remain nearby.

Evidence ledger

Sources behind this answer

Visible sources support the visible claims. Home Product Support records the publisher, the fact used and the review date; community reports can suggest an issue but do not become a published fact on their own.

01
Apple SupportUse AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices

Official AirDrop range, discovery and encrypted-transfer guidance.

Exact questions

Common follow-ups

What should I try first for airdrop is not working between a mac and iphone?+

Enable both radios on the Mac and iPhone, and temporarily turn off Personal Hotspot during local discovery.

Will these steps erase apps, files or settings?+

No data-erasing step is required in this sequence. Changing discovery to Everyone temporarily does not erase data; return it to Contacts Only afterward.

When should I stop troubleshooting?+

Stop if the device reports hardware damage, becomes unusually hot, smells burnt, or the problem falls into this excluded case: Windows or Android devices, which do not receive AirDrop.

Change recordAug. 17, 2026 — Published a source-linked sequence for airdrop is not working between a mac and iphone, with consequences shown before sign-out or reset steps.
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