Cannot add AirDrop to Finder sidebar in Sequoia

VirusBarrier Scanner_Helper (App Store - installed 2024-03-05)

        Modern Login Item

        /Applications/VirusBarrier Scanner.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/VirusBarrier Scanner_Helper.app

Once this type of software is installed.

You can spend hours or days hunting down all the bits and pieces of this software and never really get it all off the computer 

➡️ Start Over from Scratch  ⬅️

For Apple Silicon computer >> Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon.

For Apple Intel computers >>   Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac followed by How to reinstall macOS

Always make a Time Machine Backup  before  proceeding 

If going this route - I suggest Not using Startup Assist to migrate everything back.

This will probably Re-Introduce ( Intego VirusBarrier ) back into the Operating System 

Shall leave this as per below.

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that cannot be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.

The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.

AntiVirus Developers purposefully Market their product to create a “ Fear Factor “. In so doing, creating a False Need for their Product.

Security. Built right in

Mac app security enhancements

 The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.

Protecting against malware in macOS

There is Adware & Malware which will affect the computer and is generally downloaded from “ Shady “ Websites or Developers who Inject this software into the download.

From a well written User Tip from @Kurt Lang

What is malware? - Apple Community

After much testing it appears the issue is a bug when having FileVault turned. With FileVault turned off Airdrop remains in the side bar. All should report this bug to Apple:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

FWIW, even if Airdrop does not show in the Sidebar, you can get to very quickly anywhere in Finder, just by pressing the respective keyboard shortcut: Command-Shift-R.

And if keyboard shortcuts are not easy to remember, it is there in the Go menu:

I can say, using 1 M1, 1 M2 and 1 M3 machines each upGraded from Sonoma 14.6.1 to macOS 15.0 Sequoia

It is not a normal behaviour.

The fact it will work in Safe Mode and Not in Normal Mode

Tends to indicate, there must have been or are some serious System Modifications at play

Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer 

The application is free or paid from added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

Thx

We see the report

Will get back to you shortly

Same here with a new Mac mini m4

Not for me. Still doesn't hold the setting.

Still no fix with 15.3

Persists in Seqioia 15.3.2. No Airdrop in sidebar.

Not sure why some people are seeing this problem, but a quick way to get to the Airdrop window is Command-Shift-R. Not a solution but a fast alternative.

PERFECT!! This worked for me, thank you. (I used sudo before those commands).

To verify, reboot your Mac and report if still OK

In my numerous tests on many Macs, I’ve only encountered this issue when FileVault is enabled. Have you checked if it’s active?

Kind regards.