You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Airdrop to iMac only works when airdrop window is open.

This was never a problem before; airdrops from iPhone and iPad went through automatically.

Airdrop is set to "everyone," all devices on same iCloud account, all up to date.


When I am sitting at my computer and try to send from another device I hear the pleasant "dingdingding" indicating a file is incoming. The downloads icon in the dock bar bounces as if it has received something. When I open the downloads folder there is nothing there.


If I do all of the above while the airdrop window is open, I get the "plunk" sound associated with moving files, and the item I sent is now in the downloads folder.


How can I get back to not having to have the airdrop folder open to receive on my iMac?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.4

Posted on Jul 17, 2022 11:10 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 17, 2022 12:30 PM

Please restart the computer in Safe Mode per the directions in the  How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support link. 


Note: If you are using a wireless keyboard please either plug it in using the supplied Lightning cable that shipped with it. If you are using a legacy keyboard or a third-party keyboard that does not have re-charging abilities, please use any USB keyboard. Also note that a Safe Mode restart may require you to hold down the shift key for up to 5 minutes before the computer starts in Safe Mode. You will know it is in Safe Mode when you see “Safe Mode” in the upper right of the display.


After restarting in Safe Mode, then restart normally and test.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 17, 2022 12:30 PM in response to ehpurefoy

Please restart the computer in Safe Mode per the directions in the  How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support link. 


Note: If you are using a wireless keyboard please either plug it in using the supplied Lightning cable that shipped with it. If you are using a legacy keyboard or a third-party keyboard that does not have re-charging abilities, please use any USB keyboard. Also note that a Safe Mode restart may require you to hold down the shift key for up to 5 minutes before the computer starts in Safe Mode. You will know it is in Safe Mode when you see “Safe Mode” in the upper right of the display.


After restarting in Safe Mode, then restart normally and test.

Airdrop to iMac only works when airdrop window is open.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.