Now open a Finder window. Look on the left sidebar—you’ll see a bunch of folders like "Desktop" and "Downloads." AirDrop should be right there, third from the top, like the cool cousin at a family reunion. If you don’t see it, don’t panic—just go to the top menu, click Go, and select AirDrop from the dropdown.
A new window pops open, and it looks like an empty room with a lonely "Discoverable" button. This is where the magic—or the frustration—happens. You’ll see a little icon for your own Mac, and maybe a ghost icon for your friend’s device if they’re nearby. If you see nothing, take a deep breath and remember: you’re not crazy, AirDrop is just being picky.
How to use AirDrop on Mac | Tom's Guide
The Discoverability Trap
Click that "Discoverable" dropdown. You have three choices: "No One," "Contacts Only," or "Everyone." If you’re trying to send something to your mom, "Contacts Only" will fail because her contact card is probably a mess. Choose "Everyone" for the first time—it’s like unlocking the front door instead of hiding the key under a fake rock.
I once set AirDrop to "Contacts Only" and spent an hour wondering why my friend’s phone didn’t show up. Turns out, I had them listed as "Crazy Neighbor" in my contacts, and Apple’s software is not a fan of nicknames. Moral of the story: keep it simple, go with Everyone.
