Fix AirDrop issue “No People found and there is no one nearby to share with” on Mac

If you’re experiencing issues with AirDrop, this article provides troubleshooting steps to help you overcome “AirDrop issue “No People found and there is no one nearby to share with” on Mac”. Please see How to Fix Windows 11 File Explorer Lags and Freezes Issue, and steps to Turn Focus On/Off: Enable or Disable Notifications for Apps on Mac. AirDrop, a convenient feature on Apple devices, enables users to discover nearby Macs, iPhones, and iPads and securely transfer items between them over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Additionally, larger transfers can continue over cellular connections.

Note: Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on. AirDrop requires both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to be enabled for proper functionality.

This is not actually an error or issue per se, but no devices are discoverable as shown below.

To resolve this concern, we would have to set AirDrop to be discovered by contacts, everyone. To do this, follow the steps below. See below for how to adjust AirDrop settings on iPhone/iPad/Mac devices.

Please see How to transfer data from an old PC to a new PC, How to fix Windows Microsoft Store not opening, and How to fix Git always asking for my Username and Password

Adjust AirDrop Settings on iPhone and iPad

To make your iPhone and iPad discoverable, please launch the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌. Scroll down and tap General.

Tap the AirDrop icon to access AirDrop settings.

Choose Visibility Settings: You’ll be presented with three visibility options:

• Receiving Off: This option turns off AirDrop completely.
• Contacts Only: This allows only your contacts to see your device for AirDrop purposes.
• Everyone: This makes your device visible to all nearby devices with AirDrop enabled.

Choose the visibility setting that suits your preference by tapping on it.

Personally, I prefer contact only and I even occasionally switch it off and on when needed.

Also, see How to create a contact in Active Directory, and Active Directory Contact and a User Account Object Differences.

How to access AirDrop on Mac via Finder

From Finder, click on Preferences as shown below.

Select AirDrop to make it accessible from the “Favourite Pane”.

Adjust AirDrop Settings on Mac

To resolve this concern, we would have to set AirDrop to be discovered by contacts, or everyone.

To do this, follow the steps below. Open a Finder window on your Mac. Select AirDrop from the Finder sidebar (if AirDrop isn’t listed, use the keyboard combination to open it.

Command-Shift-R 

First, luanch AirDrop Finder window Mac as discussed above. If not open a Finder window and select Airdrop from the sidebar.

Next look at the setting of “Allow me to be discovered by…” and adjust it to include the owner of the iPhone. The options are: No one, Contacts only, Everyone. As you can see below, no one is selected and this is the issue.

Select the AirDrop icon to access AirDrop settings. You will be presented with three visibility options as mentioned above:

• Receiving Off: This option turns off AirDrop completely.
• Contacts Only: This allows only your contacts to see your device for AirDrop purposes.
• Everyone: This makes your device visible to all nearby devices with AirDrop enabled.

Choose your desired visibility setting that suits your preference by tapping on it.

Now, AirDrop is enabled on your device and configured according to your chosen visibility settings. 

You can now easily share files, photos, and more with nearby Apple devices using AirDrop.

I hope you found this guide useful on “Fix AirDrop issue “No People found and there is no one nearby to share with” on Mac”. Please feel free to leave a command below.