Can't see my MacBook in my iPhone AirDrop

Hi ycui,

With Airdrop not showing your Mac on your iPhone, check that you don't have any restrictions enabled in Settings > Screen Time. If you have a VPN installed on either device, disable it, VPN parameters may not allow for certain connections.

If you haven't done so already, update to iOS 16.1.2 and try Airdrop.

Regards.

Hello ycui,

Thank you for reaching out to Apple Support Communities, and we'll be happy to help in any way we can. We understand you're having issues with AirDrop for your Mac. Does your Mac see any devices when you check AirDrop from there? This article goes over how to check: Use AirDrop on your Mac - Apple Support

'Share content with AirDrop

1. Open the file that you want to send, then click Share button  in the app window. For files in the Finder, you can also Control-click the file, then choose Share from the shortcut menu.
2. Choose AirDrop from the sharing options listed.
3. Choose a recipient from the AirDrop sheet:
4. 

Or open an AirDrop window, then drag files to the recipient:

1. Select AirDrop in the sidebar of a Finder window. Or choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar. 
2. The AirDrop window shows nearby AirDrop users. Drag one or more documents, photos, or other files to the recipient shown in the window.
3. 

You can also share content from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Receive content with AirDrop

When someone nearby attempts to send you a file using AirDrop, you see their request as a notification, or as a message in the AirDrop window. Click Accept to save the file to your Downloads folder.

If you can't see the other device in AirDrop

Make sure that both devices are within 30 feet (9 meters) of each other and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.

Choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder, then check the ”Allow me to be discovered by” setting in the AirDrop window. iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch have a similar setting. If set to receive from Contacts Only, both devices must be signed in to iCloud, and the email address or phone number associated with the sender's Apple ID must be in the Contacts app of the receiving device.

Install the latest software updates for your Mac and other devices.

Make sure that incoming connections aren't blocked in firewall settings:

• macOS Ventura or later: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings. Click Network in the sidebar, then click Firewall on the right. Click the Options button, then make sure that “Block all incoming connections” is turned off.
• Earlier versions of macOS: Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy. Click the Firewall tab, then click the lock  and enter your administrator password when prompted. Click Firewall Options, then make sure that “Block all incoming connections” is deselected."

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

Hey ycui,

Thanks for the update. Is the Mac discoverable in AirDrop in the Finder?

"If the person doesn’t appear as a nearby AirDrop user, ask them to open Control Center on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and allow AirDrop to receive items. To send to someone on a Mac, ask them to allow themselves to be discovered in AirDrop in the Finder."

Choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder, then check the ”Allow me to be discovered by” setting in the AirDrop window.

Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to nearby devices - Apple Support

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Have a good one.