Airdrop Not Showing In Sidebar? | Fix It Fast

If the AirDrop entry is gone from Finder, you can bring it back in minutes. This guide walks through fast checks, deeper fixes, and habits that keep the icon where you expect it. You’ll also get a clean table of causes and cures, plus a second table with technical limits so you can rule out edge cases.

Quick Wins To Make AirDrop Reappear

Start with the basics. Each step takes seconds. Test after each change. If the name shows again in the sidebar, you’re done.

• Open Finder > Settings > Sidebar, then tick the AirDrop box.
• In the Finder menu bar, choose Go > AirDrop. This often refreshes the entry.
• Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off, wait five seconds, then turn them back on.
• Open System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff. Set discovery to Everyone or Contacts Only.
• Restart Finder: press Option and right-click the Finder icon, pick Relaunch.

Common Causes And Fast Fixes

Symptom	Where To Check	Quick Fix
AirDrop box unticked	Finder > Settings > Sidebar	Tick the box
Item still hidden after tick	Finder > Go > AirDrop	Open AirDrop, then relaunch Finder
Can’t receive from iPhone	System Settings > AirDrop & Handoff	Set to Everyone or Contacts Only
Switches off after a moment	Login items / security tools	Disable the tool, test in safe mode
No nearby devices appear	Menu bar radios	Turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on
Send stalls at “Waiting”	Firewall settings	Uncheck “Block all incoming connections”

AirDrop Missing From Finder Sidebar — Fixes That Work

Turn On The Sidebar Item

Open a Finder window. Press ⌘ + , to open Settings. Select Sidebar. Tick the AirDrop checkbox. If it won’t stay ticked, relaunch Finder and try again.

Open AirDrop From The Go Menu

Click Finder on the menu bar. Choose Go > AirDrop. A new window appears with discovery controls. Close that window and check the left column again. The entry often returns after this refresh.

Enable Wi-Fi And Bluetooth

AirDrop uses both radios. Click the Control Center icon. Make sure both toggles are on. If they’re already on, switch them off, wait a few seconds, then turn them on again. Now check Finder.

Set AirDrop To Receive

Go to System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff. Under “Discoverable by,” pick a setting that fits your use. If you share with someone who isn’t in your contacts, use Everyone for a brief window, then switch back.

Check iCloud And Contacts

If you choose Contacts Only, both devices need to reach a contact card that links your Apple ID email or phone. Open the Contacts app and confirm the card data. If discovery is flaky, try Everyone as a test, send a file, then switch back.

Review Firewall Rules

Open System Settings > Network > Firewall. Click Options. Uncheck “Block all incoming connections.” Leave stealth mode off during tests. Try a send again and watch for the icon in Finder.

Relaunch Finder Or Reboot

A quick relaunch clears odd sidebar states. If the list still refuses to update, restart the Mac. After the reboot, tick the checkbox again and test.

Why The Sidebar Entry Disappears

The sidebar list is just a view on Finder features. If something resets preferences or hides categories, the entry can vanish. Here are the most common triggers.

• Preference sync drift: A setting change from another login or a cleanup tool can untick the box.
• Third-party security tools: Network filters and login helpers can block the AirDrop service or unset the view.
• Old Finder state: Finder caches view data. A relaunch refreshes the list.
• Radio toggles: If radios are off, Finder can hide related items until a new scan runs.

Step-By-Step Repair Flow

1) Confirm Finder Settings

Open Finder settings and tick the box. Drag the item higher in the list if you want it near the top. You can reorder by click-and-drag.

2) Refresh The AirDrop Service

Use Go > AirDrop to spin up the service window. Leave it open for a moment so the scan can run. Close it, then view the left column again.

3) Test Discovery Modes

Switch to Everyone and try a file from your phone. If that works, move back to Contacts Only. This narrows the problem to contact matching, not the sidebar.

4) Toggle Radios And Check Hotspot

Turn off any Personal Hotspot on the phone. Hotspot interferes with sharing. Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the Mac. Try again from the phone within arm’s reach.

5) Review Firewall And Security Apps

If you use network filters, pause them. In Firewall options, allow incoming connections. Add Finder and sharing services to any allow list. Bring each tool back one by one to spot the culprit.

6) Safe Mode Test

Shut down the Mac. Boot into safe mode for your chip model. In that mode, open Finder settings. Tick the AirDrop box. If it sticks here but not in a normal boot, a login item is likely flipping the switch. Remove login items you don’t need.

Network Basics That Matter

Short range and clean radios make transfers smooth. Keep both devices close. Keep cases that block antennas off during tests. Avoid busy 2.4 GHz spaces if you can; a 5 GHz network near both devices helps. Keep both devices signed in to the right Apple ID when you use Contacts Only, since matching uses that data. Short, clear device names also reduce odd matching glitches. Test with a small image file first.

Range, Radios, And Limits

Item	Requirement	Notes
Distance	Within about 10 meters	Move closer for first detection
Wi-Fi	Turned on	Same network not required
Bluetooth	Turned on	Used for discovery and link setup
Personal Hotspot	Off	Hotspot breaks sharing
Firewall	No blanket block	Allow incoming for sharing
Contacts Only	Matched card	Card must include Apple ID email or phone

When The Box Won’t Stay Ticked

Some users see the checkbox flip off right after clicking it. That points to a background item resetting Finder’s view. Try this order.

1. Relaunch Finder and tick the box again.
2. Boot into safe mode, tick the box, then boot back to a normal session.
3. Open System Settings > General > Login Items. Disable non-Apple helpers for a short test. Re-enable them one at a time.
4. Create a fresh macOS user, log in, and tick the box. If it sticks there, the issue sits in your user profile, not the system.

Two Ways To Reach AirDrop Without The Sidebar

While you sort the list, you can still move files with ease.

• Use the Go menu: Finder > Go > AirDrop opens the same pane.
• Share sheet: In any app, click Share > AirDrop, then pick the device.

Clean Up Finder Preferences, Gently

If the list stays stuck, refresh Finder’s saved state without risky deletes. Remove and re-add the item instead.

• Untick the AirDrop box in Finder settings.
• Relaunch Finder.
• Tick the box again and drag it to your preferred spot.

Official Help And Reference

Apple’s Mac Help explains sidebar tweaks in depth. See the Customize the Finder sidebar article. For transfers and discovery rules, check the Use AirDrop on Mac page.

Prevent The Disappearing Act

Once the name is back, lock in good habits.

• Keep both radios on during work sessions that need sharing.
• Use Contacts Only for daily work, switch to Everyone only when needed.
• Avoid cleanup apps that flip Finder settings. If you must run them, recheck your sidebar after a sweep.
• If you share across many devices, keep contact cards up to date.

Quick Checklist You Can Save

Pin this list next to your desk. It’s short and works across Mac models.

• Finder > Settings > Sidebar → tick AirDrop.
• Finder > Go > AirDrop → open once, then close.
• Control Center → Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on.
• System Settings → AirDrop & Handoff → pick a discovery mode.
• Firewall Options → no blanket block.
• Relaunch Finder or restart the Mac.

Extra Checks On Phone And Mac

Update Names And Contact Cards

Open System Settings > General > About and check the Mac name. Keep it short with letters and numbers. On iPhone, check Settings > General > About. In Contacts, make sure your own card links the Apple ID email and number.

Turn Off VPNs And Filters

Pause VPN or privacy tools on both devices. Try a small photo. If it works, add Finder and sharing to the allow list.

Check For OS Updates

Install the latest patch on both devices under Software Update.

Known Quirks On Recent macOS

On recent releases, the Everyone mode can revert after a short window. If a share fails later, set it again and retry. Safe mode and a test user can reveal a login helper that flips the checkbox.

When Nothing Works

Create a new admin user and test there. If it works, remove startup add-ons in the main account. If it fails there too, back up and plan a reinstall when time allows.

Wrap-Up: Your Sidebar, Restored

Finder can hide the entry when radios or preferences fall out of line. With the steps above, you can tick one box, refresh a window, and get back to moving files. Keep the checklist handy and the item will stay put.