Airdrop not working in El Capitan

[chiss]

I upgraded both my iphone 5 to OS 9 and my MacBook Pro to El Capitan and I can't get Airdrop to work. My phone doesn't show up on the computer.
Am I overlooking something? I read there was a possibility for a hack attack unless using the latest OS so I upgraded both. Before that I was able to Airdrop photos from my phone to the laptop.

I have the settings on both to accept everyone.

 

[chiss]

After looking on Apple's site I found the issue with Airdrop is known by Apple.
Now if I could figure out why I'm no longer able to make notes in my ibooks.....

 

[chas_m]

As mentioned in the other thread on this topic, I am on iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 (with some other drives on the latest betas of these two) and I'm able to use AirDrop just fine. In fact, it is MUCH faster than I remember it now than it was before. Maybe double-check to make sure both devices are, in fact, on the same network (or the same frequency of network ... some routers today have 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels under the same Wi-Fi network name).

 

[chiss]

Before upgrading AirDrop worked just fine, as soon as I installed El Cap it stopped working. I read there was a security issue and it was best to update the OS on the iphone which I then did. Thanks for your suggestion, I'll look into that.

Sometimes I think it's better to leave well enough alone. I'm having issues with logging into one email account and I don't like the new itunes on the phone. I used to be able to start one song in the library and just let it work its way through the library as long as I wanted to listen. I suppose the way around that would be to make a playlist of the library. ..okay my mini rant is over.

 

[chiss]

I read the requirements for El Capitan and AirDrop. The exception on MacBook Pro models is mid 2012 which is my machine. Too bad they don't tell you ahead of time what will stop working on your computer when you upgrade. I used to use AirDrop often...

 

[chas_m]

I have a mid-2012 MacBook Pro, and AirDrop works, as I have mentioned, just fine.

 

[chiss]

I misunderstood/misread it. It said Mac Pro not MacBook Pro.

But I still can't get it to work with El Capitan and iphone 5 running OS9. I'd appreciate advice on where to look to work on the problem. I've made sure it is set to "everyone", I made sure personal hotspot is turned off. Firewall is turned off.
thanks,

 

[Rod]

Well I still cant get it to work on my MBP Mid 2012 running 10.11.1 and iPhone 5s running iOS 9.2. They are sitting right next to each other and my phone is not visible. Neither have i been able to use it between my MBP and my wife's identical MBP running the same OSX.
I have tried everything and finally given up, now using Infinit instead.

 

[chiss]

I gave up trying....

 

[chas_m]

It continues to work here. I wish I knew what to offer you guys, but for me it "just works." (latest El Cap and iOS releases).

 

[MacInWin]

chas_m you must lead a charmed life. I've never gotten AirDrop to work. Ever. Like chiss, I gave up in that it "just doesn't work" despite all the claims and anecdotes from the occasionally successful user.

I'm running 10.11.1 on multiple machines (MBP, MacMini, iMacs), IOS 9.1 on an iPhone 6. Nada, Zilch, Zero. The iPhone never, ever shows up on the Mac(s).

 

[chas_m]

I do lead a charmed life, but I routinely exchange files (mostly pictures) with people using AirDrop, so I know it works pretty widely.

I'm sure you must already know this by now, but the two devices:

1. MUST be on the same network. This has tripped up a lot of people who swear they're on their home network, but when I go over to verify they are in fact on a neighbour's unlocked network -- or on the 5GHz "channel" of their network that uses a similar but not the same network as their 2.4GHz devices.

2. Both devices MUST have BOTH Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.

3. Both devices MUST have AirDrop available as a sidebar item (for Macs) or available in the swipe-up Control Center (iOS).

4. My understanding is that BOTH devices must have Bluetooth 4.0

5. Both devices must be within 30 feet of each other.

6. One other tip from Apple: Find out if the Mac has “Block all incoming connections” turned on in Security & Privacy preferences. A Mac won't receive items using AirDrop if this setting is turned on.

 

[chscag]

Well, as much as I hate to say it, I agree with chas_m (only poking at you chas in good fun) but Airdrop works like a charm here. Select it on my iMac and it immediately picks up my iPhone 6+. El Capitan 10.11.1 and iOS 9.1. Have no idea why it isn't working for you?

 

[MacInWin]

According to About This Mac, I have "Apple Bluetooth Software Version 4.4.2f1 16391." Here's the report:
Apple Bluetooth Software Version: 4.4.2f1 16391
Hardware, Features, and Settings:
Name: MBP17
Address: E0-F8-47-2A-6E-D9
Bluetooth Low Energy Supported: No
Handoff Supported: No
Instant Hot Spot Supported: No
Manufacturer: Broadcom
Transport: USB
Chipset: 2070B0
Firmware Version: v42 c847
Bluetooth Power: On
Discoverable: On
Connectable: Yes
Auto Seek Pointing: On
Remote wake: On
Vendor ID: 0x05AC
Product ID: 0x821A
HCI Version: 0x4
HCI Revision: 0x34F
LMP Version: 0x4
LMP Subversion: 0x422A
Device Type (Major): Computer
Device Type (Complete): Mac Portable
Composite Class Of Device: 0x38010C
Device Class (Major): 0x01
Device Class (Minor): 0x03
Service Class: 0x1C0
Auto Seek Keyboard: On

it also says that my iPhone has been acknowledged, but under the Services section it says:

Services:
Bluetooth File Transfer:
Folder other devices can browse: ~/Public
When receiving items: Accept all without warning
State: Disabled
Bluetooth File Exchange:
Folder for accepted items: ~/Downloads
When other items are accepted: Save to location
When receiving items: Accept all without warning
State: Disabled
Bluetooth Internet Sharing:
State: Disabled

So, why are all those services "Disabled?" I certainly didn't disable them deliberately, and I don't see anything in System Preferences to Enable them.

I do have an Apple BT Mouse connected and functioning, and a Bose Mini II Soundlink also paired and working.

On the iPhone, when I try to connect I get "Connection Unsuccessful, "MBP 17" is not supported" and a prompt to Forget Device, no other options. It pairs, but won't connect.

So, chas_m and chscag, what do you see as wrong? The MBP is an 8,3 17" Early-2011. OS X is 10.11.1.

EDIT: Oh, and AirDrop works between my wife's MBP and this one, as well as to her MacMini. It's just the iPhone that gives that error message. It's an iPhone 6.

 

[chscag]

Jake: Here's my report. Notice the difference in what is supported and what's not from yours. (Both my iPhone and my wife's are shown.)

Apple Bluetooth Software Version: 4.4.2f1 16391
Hardware, Features, and Settings:
Name: PTL
Address: C8-E0-EB-42-75-38
Bluetooth Low Energy Supported: Yes
Handoff Supported: Yes
Instant Hot Spot Supported: Yes
Manufacturer: Broadcom
Transport: USB
Chipset: 20702B0
Firmware Version: v112 c9036
Bluetooth Power: On
Discoverable: Off
Connectable: Yes
Auto Seek Pointing: On
Remote wake: On
Vendor ID: 0x05AC
Product ID: 0x828D
HCI Version: 0x6
HCI Revision: 0x234C
LMP Version: 0x6
LMP Subversion: 0x4170
Device Type (Major): Computer
Device Type (Complete): Mac Desktop
Composite Class Of Device: 0x380104
Device Class (Major): 0x01
Device Class (Minor): 0x01
Service Class: 0x1C0
Auto Seek Keyboard: On
Devices (Paired, Configured, etc.):
Apple Wireless Keyboard:
Address: 28-CF-E9-79-8F-4F
Major Type: Peripheral
Minor Type: Keyboard
Services: Apple Wireless Keyboard
Paired: Yes
Configured: Yes
Connected: Yes
Manufacturer: Apple (0x3, 0x31C)
Battery Level: 100%
Firmware Version: 0x0050
Vendor ID: 0x05AC
Product ID: 0x0255
Class of Device: 0x05 0x10 0x2540
AFH: On
AFH Map: FFFF7F000E3FCFF7F
RSSI: -46
Role: Master
Connection Mode: Sniff Mode
Interval: 11.25 ms
Host Connectable: Yes
EDR Supported: No
eSCO Supported: No
SSP Supported: No
Apple Magic Mouse:
Address: 58-1F-AA-F1-5B-AE
Major Type: Peripheral
Minor Type: Mouse
Services: Apple Magic Mouse
Paired: No
Configured: Yes
Connected: No
Manufacturer: Apple (0x3, 0x31C)
Firmware Version: 0x0306
Vendor ID: 0x05AC
Product ID: 0x030D
Class of Device: 0x05 0x20 0x2580
Host Connectable: Yes
EDR Supported: No
eSCO Supported: No
SSP Supported: No
Apple Wireless Keyboard:
Address: 44-2A-60-E5-0D-43
Major Type: Peripheral
Minor Type: Keyboard
Services: Apple Wireless Keyboard
Paired: No
Configured: Yes
Connected: No
Manufacturer: Apple (0x3, 0x31C)
Firmware Version: 0x0050
Vendor ID: 0x05AC
Product ID: 0x0239
Class of Device: 0x05 0x10 0x2540
Host Connectable: Yes
EDR Supported: No
eSCO Supported: No
SSP Supported: No
ICDC iPhone:
Address: 60-F8-1D-61-04-C0
Major Type: Miscellaneous
Minor Type: Unknown
Services:
Paired: No
Configured: Yes
Connected: No
Class of Device: 0x00 0x00 0x0000
Young's iPhone:
Address: 6C-94-F8-50-E5-DA
Major Type: Miscellaneous
Minor Type: Unknown
Services:
Paired: No
Configured: Yes
Connected: No
Class of Device: 0x00 0x00 0x0000
Services:
Bluetooth File Transfer:
Folder other devices can browse: ~/Public
When receiving items: Accept all without warning
State: Disabled
Bluetooth File Exchange:
Folder for accepted items: ~/Downloads
When other items are accepted: Save to location
When receiving items: Accept all without warning
State: Disabled
Bluetooth Internet Sharing:
State: Disabled
Incoming Serial Ports:
Bluetooth-Incoming-Port:
RFCOMM Channel: 3
Requires Authentication: No

 

[chas_m]

MacInWin:

I know this is very confusing, but your Bluetooth isn't 4.0. Yes, it says Bluetooth software version 4.4, but that's not referring to the hardware. That's why all that other stuff doesn't work either.

I believe I'm correct in saying that the mid-2012 MBP is the first to support Bluetooth 4.0 for Apple's MacBook range. That's one of the reasons I specifically chose this model.

 

[Rod]

Jake one thing I notice, and my situation is exactly the same as yours, after I forget my MBP and my iPhone, during the pairing process the MBP produces a number, it asks me to verify it is the same number on my iPhone but I never receive it.

 

[MacInWin]

So, I see I have no BLE, or Handoff or Hotspot, but in comparing your phones and mine, my Major Type is "Phone" and Minor Type is "Smartphone"

Here is that portion of the report:

iPhone:
Address: 48-43-7C-84-89-65
Major Type: Phone
Minor Type: Smartphone
Services: PAN Network Access Profile, AVRCP Device, Handsfree Gateway, Audio Source, Wireless iAP, MAP MAS-iOS, AVRCP Device, Phonebook
Paired: Yes
Configured: Yes
Connected: No
Manufacturer: Broadcom (0x8, 0x4109)
Firmware Version: 0x0910
Vendor ID: 0x004C
Product ID: 0x6E00
Class of Device: 0x02 0x03 0x7A020C
EDR Supported: Yes
eSCO Supported: Yes
SSP Supported: Yes

Again, when I try to pair, it pairs successfully, but when I try to connect, I get the "not supported" message.

 

[chas_m]

Pairing between an iPhone and a Mac is extremely limited, so that's not really a path worth pursing. It's only good for one thing I've ever been able to find: as an alternate way of sharing an internet connection. That's it.

 

[MacInWin]

Jake one thing I notice, and my situation is exactly the same as yours, after I forget my MBP and my iPhone, during the pairing process the MBP produces a number, it asks me to verify it is the same number on my iPhone but I never receive it.

I get the number, and it pairs just fine. But as I said, when I try to connect, the phone pops up that error message about "not supported" and I have to forget the MBP.