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Forum Discussion
AirDrop broken on MacOS Ventura
I'm using MacOS Ventura and I can't receive files via AirDrop anymore.
My Downloads folder is inside my Dropbox as I'm using Dropbox Backup, so it is all inside the Cloud Library now. The Spotligh...
You'll need to access the preferences in the desktop app, click the Backup tab, and then Manage Backup. From there you can remove the Downloads folder from the backup.
So here is what happens:
1. I'm sharing a file via AirDrop from my Phone to my MacBook.
2. My MacBook automatically accepts the file (because it's logged into the same iCloud account), otherwise I would assume the notification would pop up to accept the file. The laptop makes the AirDrop sound that it's receiving the file.
3. On the phone you can see that the file is sending and the progress. On the MacBook you can see that the file is being received.
4. The phone now says that the transfer is done. The MacBook is trying to open Finder, but no window appears. On the top left in the taskbar next to the Apple logo you can see though that Finder is becoming the active application.
5. Now when I open finder manually the file is nowhere to be found. Neither in Downloads where it usually lands, nor in Documents, Desktop or Home folder. Even searching for the file it's just nowhere.
My assumption is that because my Downloads folder is managed by Dropbox due to Dropbox Backup and is now located in the secure Cloud Library, AirDrop for some reason can't save it and therefor it just never is being saved.
I can provide information if required, and might also try to change my AirDrop location folder to a different folder outside of Dropbox to see if that works, though that seems to be pretty complicated and requires a chain of Terminal commands, so not sure if I really want to mess with it. For now my AirDrop unfortunately is unusable to receive files on the MacBook =(
My setup was the same as the OP's, and I was seeing EXACTLY the same symptoms as the OP describes in the response to "tell us what happens" from Dropbox staffer Jay. After many attempts and much frustration, I discovered that I need to launch the AirDrop app on my MBP before sharing the file from my iPhone; if I do that, the transfer works perfectly.
Airdrop app? There is no Airdrop "app". Airdrop is just a function on Apple devices.
Okay, I see what you mean David B.191. The fact that we get this answer from you and not from Dropbox staff is very troubling.
For those who don't know or are confused. For some reason, you have to select "AirDrop" in the "Favorites" menu, typically on the left side of the Finder window. Once you've selected the AirDrop menu, you'll see the AirDrop icon (like radio waves) on the Finder window like the picture below. This allows you to AirDrop files without having to disable the syncing with the "Downloads" folder. What a relief.
You can *say* AirDrop isn't an app, but I launch it from the Alfred alternative to Spotlight, just as I can launch any other app on my MBP.
(Yes, I'm aware that Launchpad and the Applications folder don't contain anything called AirDrop Utility.app, but it isn't a function IMO if you have to launch it to get it to work.)
