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Garry Brooke
User level: Level 1 (115 points)

AirDrop from iPhone 13 Mini to Mac Studio not working

I can't AirDrop from my iPhone 13 Mini to my Mac Studio. In three years it has worked twice, I don't know why it did. But, now it has not worked for over a year. However, AirDrop from my Mac Studio to the iPhone 13 Mini works flawlessly every time. I throw single and multiple files at it and it works. But from the phone to the Mac, it fails every time.


Bluetooth and Wifi are on for both. I have rebooted both. AirDrop on both is set to receive from "Everyone". The AirDrop window on the Mac Studio shows the iPhone.


I have checked Screen Time settings as suggested elsewhere. I have checked sharing settings and personal Hotspot settings.


Both are now running OS 27 ie. iOS 27 and macOS 27. I had hoped OS 27 would fix the issue but it did not.


I don't know what else to do. Does anyone know what to do ?


Thanks.

Posted on Sep 15, 2026 7:02 PM

2 replies

PreCognition
User level: Level 6 (12,236 points)

Sep 15, 2026 7:44 PM in response to Garry Brooke

Since AirDrop works from the Mac to the iPhone, I’d focus on what might be blocking incoming connections on the Mac.


On the Mac, check System Settings > Network > Firewall > Options and make sure Block all incoming connections is off. I’d also temporarily disable any VPN or third-party firewall/security software and test again. Apple notes that VPN configurations can interfere with AirDrop and other Continuity features. → Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices - Apple Support


Then open Finder > AirDrop on the Mac and leave that window open while sending one photo from the iPhone.


If it still fails, what exactly happens on the iPhone after you tap the Mac — does it stay on “Waiting,” change to “Failed,” or does the Mac never appear at all?

Garry Brooke Author
User level: Level 1 (115 points)

Sep 16, 2026 10:08 PM in response to PreCognition

Many thanks. It's frustrating as it's been years of not working and I can't understand why. Worse, it worked in February last year and I don't know why that happened either. Have tried hard to think of what I've changed/done which could be cause but not found it.


"Block all incoming connections" is off. There are lot of entries in the connections list. Some are blocked and some are allowed. I switched a couple that looked likely to "Allow" but no luck. Some are old (eg. apps no longer installed) and I deleted them.


Have no VPN. I use LittleSnitch – turned it off and tested with no luck.


I have been testing with the AirDrop window open on the Mac all along. It shows my iPhone's name under a picture of an iPhone which disappears when I invoke the lock screen. As soon as I unlock the iPhone, it appears in the AirDrop window. So, the Mac does know what is going on.


Yes. On the iPhone underneath the picture of the Mac Studio it says "Waiting..." for maybe 30 seconds then it changes to "Failed" in red text. It also bangs a notification saying "AirDrop Failed". I don't see any indications on the Mac. For example there are no "AirDrop Rejected" notifications.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256357746