It can be troublesome when AirDrop does not show up in the Finder app on MacBook. When this happens, it becomes hard to AirDrop any content/files from MacBook to other Apple devices. It is known that AirDrop is a quick way to transfer files between Apple devices. Relying on other sources to transfer files from Mac may not be as convenient as AirDrop. If you are stuck in this situation and looking for ways to fix it, our troubleshooting measures provided in this article will guide you in the right way to fix the issue.
If you can’t find AirDrop in the Finder app, then you should know that it commonly occurs when you have removed the feature from the Favorites section. Regardless of the causes, you can solve the problem in minutes through the methods briefed in this article.
Why AirDrop is Missing on Finder
There are a few common reasons why AirDrop went missing on the Finder app on your MacBook. Understanding the possible causes of the AirDrop not shown in Finder can help you figure out a suitable fix and solve it without any trouble.
- You have not enabled AirDrop in the Favorites section on Finder.
- Any issue with a user account on a Mac can also lead to this problem.
- The Finder plist file is corrupted.
- The things in the Favorites section are minimized.
- An outdated Mac operating system.
Troubleshooting AirDrop Not in Finder
When AirDrop does not appear in Finder, you will face difficulties in transferring files from your MacBook to any other Apple device. In that case, proceed with the troubleshooting methods one by one to fix it as soon as possible.
Enable WIFI and Bluetooth
To work AirDrop seamlessly, you should enable necessary settings like Bluetooth and WIFI on the sending and receiving devices. To enable it, go to the Control Center on your Mac and turn on the Bluetooth and WIFI settings before sharing a file via AirDrop. Once you enable WIFI and Bluetooth on both the devices used for AirDrop, the feature should appear on the Finder app on Mac without any trouble.
Get AirDrop on the Mac Finder Sidebar
If you can’t locate AirDrop on the Mac Finder app, it could be because you have not set the feature to appear on the Finder app. Use the following traditional method to bring AirDrop to the Mac Finder sidebar.
1. Unlock your MacBook using your password.
2. On the Mac desktop, click the Finder icon from the menu bar.
3. From the dropdown menu, choose the Preferences option. The Finder Preferences window will pop up on the screen.
4. Tap the Sidebar tab at the top of the window.
5. Check whether the box near AirDrop is chosen. If not, tap the checkbox next to AirDrop and enable it.
Once you enable it, the AirDrop option should appear under the Favorites section on the Finder app. If it is still missing, you can proceed with the next fix.
Ensure the AirDrop is not Minimized on Finder
Sometimes, minimizing the Finder Favorites can cause the AirDrop to disappear in the sidebar of the Mac Finder. You can unhide the AirDrop from your Favorites items on the Finder app on MacBook.
1. Tap on the Finder icon found on the Dock to launch the Finder window.
2. Bring the cursor near the Favorites menu. The Show button will appear next to the section.
3. Click the Show button to unhide all the items from the Favorites section on Finder. It will make the AirDrop feature show up under the Favorites menu on Mac Finder.
Change User Account on Mac Finder
If the AirDrop icon is not showing in the Finder app on a MacBook, there can be a problem with the user account. If you have a doubt about facing this issue, you can change to a different user account or use a new user account and check if AirDrop appears on the Finder app.
1. Launch the Finder app on MacBook.
2. On the Finder menu bar, tap the Go menu.
3. Once tapped, it will bring various options on the screen. From the list, select Go to Folder.
4. Now, enter the folder’s pathname as shown below.
/System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/Applications
5. After typing in, you will be taken to the Applications folder on the Finder app. Search for AirDrop and tap on it if found.
6. Change to a different user account or create a new Mac user account and check if the AirDrop icon shows up on the window.
You can confirm the problem is with the user account if the AirDrop icon appears under the Applications section.
Restart the MacBook
If the AirDrop feature goes missing due to minor bugs, a simple restart on the Mac will fix the issue. Here’s how you can restart your MacBook.
1. Unlock your MacBook and tap the Apple icon in the upper left corner.
2. From the shown options, choose Restart.
Your MacBook will restart while all minor issues within the system are fixed. The AirDrop option should appear on the Mac Finder after the restart. If not, you need to move on with the next fix.
Enable AirDrop using the Terminal App
The Terminal app uses the command-line interface (CLI) to interact with the Mac OS. You can utilize the Terminal app to make AirDrop appear on the Finder app with the help of correct commands.
1. Open the Finder app on Mac and click the Go menu at the top of the screen.
2. From the dropdown menu, choose the Utilities option.
3. Locate the Terminal app and tap on it to launch the app.
4. A new window will display on the screen. Enter the command below to disable AirDrop.
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop -bool YES
5. Wait till the app executes the command properly and deactivate the feature. Then, enter the following command to enable AirDrop.
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop -bool NO
6. Once you run the command successfully, close the Terminal app and search for AirDrop in the Finder sidebar.
If you can find the AirDrop in the Finder sidebar, it is a clear indication that you have solved the problem. Otherwise, proceed with the next troubleshooting method.
Force Quit the Finder App
The AirDrop may not show up on the Finder app with an error message ‘The operation can’t be completed because the item can’t be found. You can solve the problem by forcefully closing the Finder app. Though there are many ways to close the Finder app, we have used the Terminal app to get the job done. Use the following instructions to force quit Finder using Terminal commands.
1. On the Finder app, click the Go menu and choose the Utilities option.
2. Select the Terminal app and open it. A Terminal window will get pop up on the Mac Finder screen.
3. Type in the following command and tap Enter.
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces 1
4. Following that, provide this command and press Enter.
killall Finder
5. Once the command is executed successfully, get back to Finder.
6. Finally, verify and confirm the AirDrop is back on the Finder app.
Delete the Plist File of the Finder
If you still have trouble locating the AirDrop, then there could be an issue with the existing plist file of Finder. The old Finder’s plist file could be corrupted over time, and it may cause the AirDrop feature to disappear on the Finder. Remove the plist file and let the Mac create new plist files after restarting Finder.
1. Head to the Finder app and tap the Go in the menu bar.
2. Choose the Go to Folder option. A new window will show on the screen.
3. Enter the following path.
~/Library/Preferences
4. Look for the com.apple.finder.plist
file and drag the file to Trash.
7. After removing it, do a quick restart on your Mac.
Once the restart is over, the Finder’s plist files will be instantly developed under the Preferences section of the Finder app. You should now be able to notice AirDrop on the Finder app.
Update the Mac Operating System
The AirDrop may not be found on Mac due to minor bugs and system glitches. Updating the MacBook to the latest available software will solve the bugs and add new features for better performance. You can update on your Mac software to rectify the issue of the AirDrop not in Finder problem using the below steps.
1. First of all, connect your MacBook to the WIFI.
2. Tap the Apple logo menu and select the System Settings.
3. On the sidebar, choose the General settings.
4. Click on Software Update and install the software updates if available.
Note: To update Mac running on earlier versions of macOS, go to the Apple menu → Choose System Preferences → Tap Software Update.
Once the software update is complete, reboot your Mac and inspect whether AirDrop is back on the Finder app.
Factory Reset the MacBook
Suppose still, if you can’t find the AirDrop feature on the Finder app on Mac, you can opt for the final fix as resetting the Mac to its factory settings. Resetting the Mac will fix most of the issues raised on it. Since resetting the Mac will erase everything in it, ensure that you take a backup or move the important files to your iCloud. You can reset the Mac by clicking the Apple icon → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings. After a factory reset, the AirDrop icon should be found on the Finder app.
Alternative Way to Use AirDrop
Apple has rolled out the Control Center feature on macOS Big Sur. The later versions of macOS continue to have this feature, which you can use directly for AirDrop. If AirDrop is not found on the Mac Control Center, you can add it to the menu using the following procedure.
1. Select the Apple menu and hit the System Preferences option.
2. Click on the Dock & Menu Bar and select AirDrop.
3. The Mac screen will display a preview of that item in the Control Center. Click on the checkbox next to Show in Control Center.
4. Once the box is checked, close the window.
The AirDrop should be found in the Mac Control Center. Instead of looking for AirDrop in the Finder app, you can tap the AirDrop option from the Control Center menu. After making your device discoverable, you can AirDrop videos, photos, and other supported files from Mac to nearby Apple devices.
FAQ
If AirDrop is not working on your device, ensure to modify the AirDrop settings on your Apple device.
Yes. You can move to AirDrop in the Finder window and choose the option No One for Allow me to be discovered by to disable AirDrop on Mac.
AirDrop may not show up on Mac because of a software glitch, misconfigured Firewall settings, and compatibility. If you have not enabled Bluetooth or WIFI, it could cause AirDrop from iPhone to Mac to not work.
If the sending and receiving devices are placed far away, AirDrop will not find anyone.