Airdrop files are disappearing. It sounds like files have been received (MacBook Air) but they don't appear in the Downloads file. I have tried: Software Update. Off and on again. Searching for specific files that have been airdropped to this device.

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Airdrop files are disappearing. It sounds like files have been received (MacBook Air) but they don't appear in the Downloads file. I have tried: Software Update. Off and on again. Searching for specific files that have been airdropped to this device.

From my iPhone to my MacBook Air - it sounds like an Airdrop share has been successful, the phone provides the circular progress graphic and the says 'sent'. On the MacBook, however, nothing has appeared. No incoming Airdrop notification, nothing in the downloads folder, nothing in 'recents'either.

I have been able to receive a picture from another phone but that would only save to photos and not to the downloads folder.

Here's what I've tried

Off and on again

Software update

Changing my downloads folder to 'read and write'

Airdropping a specific file and then searching for it - nowhere to be found.

Asking mac savvy friends who've all drawn a blank

Any ideas, please? I regularly use this feature to share video from my phone for editing for work. Now I'm having to wait for iCloud to catch up and it's taking far too long.

Thanks

MacBook Air, macOS 13.3

Posted on Mar 31, 2023 01:04 AM

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Answer 1

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jmarse1

Community Specialist

Apr 3, 2023 06:38 PM in response to MRMARY

Hi MRMARY,

We'll be glad to help you out further. We see that you came here from Use AirDrop on your Mac. Generally, following the steps outlined there should have everything working properly.

Since you've completed those steps, and still have issues, we'd recommend trying this in another user account to see if it persists. There could potentially be some sort of software on your account, or another account specific issue causing AirDrop not to work properly. You can add a new user with the steps outlined in Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

"Add a user

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Users & Groups in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Click the Add Account button below the list of users on the right (you may be asked to enter your password.)
Click the New Account pop-up menu, then choose a type of user."

Let us know the results of that and we'll be glad to help further.

Cheers.

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Airdrop files are disappearing. It sounds like files have been received (MacBook Air) but they don't appear in the Downloads file. I have tried: Software Update. Off and on again. Searching for specific files that have been airdropped to this device.

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