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Tamlouie
User level: Level 1 (40 points)

Tahoe Update 26.7.1 made AirDrops fail

Updated to Tahoe 26.7.1, now all AirDrops to MacBook fail. Shut down, rebooted, tried contacts only, then everyone, but still cannot receive AirDrops from my own iPhone as usual. Appreciate any assistance.

Posted on Oct 9, 2026 7:55 AM

2 replies

neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)

Oct 9, 2026 8:17 AM in response to Tamlouie

Restarting your Mac's Bluetooth daemon is usually the quickest way to fix this issue after a recent macOS update. Updates to macOS Tahoe 26.7.1 can sometimes cause the background Bluetooth process (bluetoothd) to stop advertising your Mac to nearby devices properly, causing incoming AirDrops to fail. 


Force-Restart the Bluetooth Daemon

Since regular reboots haven’t worked, you can manually force macOS to rebuild its Bluetooth table via the Terminal:

  • Open the Terminal app (find in Spotlight or in Applications > Utilities).
  • Type or paste the following command and press return:
sudo pkill bluetoothd
  • Enter your Mac’s login password when prompted (the keys won't show on screen as you type, which is normal) and press return.
  • This will instantly relaunch the Bluetooth background service without affecting your other apps, often making your Mac visible to your iPhone immediately.


Check for Local Network/Firewall Blocks

OS updates sometimes reset network security rules, blocking local peer-to-peer discovery.

  • Disable the Firewall temporarily: Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall. If it is on, try turning it off temporarily or click Options to ensure "Block all incoming connections" is unchecked.
  • Turn off VPNs or Antivirus: If you use a third-party VPN, antivirus, or network monitor (like Little Snitch or Norton), disable or completely quit it. Many network filters conflict with the local networking protocols AirDrop relies on after major updates.


More info from Apple: Use AirDrop to send items to nearby Apple devices – Apple Support


Personally, I have no issues with AirDrop between my iPhone 14 Pro (on iOS 27.0.1) and my Mac that's running 26.7.1 (a 16" M1 Pro MBP). For example:


AirDrops also work normally from my other Mac (running macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1 and my iPad Pro (also on 27).


Tamlouie Author
User level: Level 1 (40 points)

Oct 9, 2026 9:30 AM in response to neuroanatomist

The Mac is visible to iPhone. My iPhone sees the MacBook and sends but it always fails, but I I was able to AirDrop from iPhone to another iMac.


I turned Firewall off, the Airdrop worked. Thank you! I turned FW back on (and Airdrop worked again), but the options are now all turned off automatically. I don't know if they need to be or not, nor if the Firewall should be on? I have read from other level 10's that it isn't recommended for it to be on, but don't know why.


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256373165