Mac only discoverable for AirDrop when Finder > AirDrop is opened?

[yummysapple]

Just got a new MacBook Pro and noticed that my iPhone XS can only detect the Mac for AirDrop when I manually open Finder > AirDrop on the Mac.

Once the AirDrop window is open, it works immediately. If closed, the Mac stops appearing again.

Is this normal ?

 

[hg.wells]

Yes this is normal, so random folk can’t keep airdropping you stuff whilst you’re out an about.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

If the phone is on iOS 26 (will the XS run 26? I'm not sure) AND both devices are signed into the same Apple Account - it "should" not require you to open AirDrop on the Mac.

If they're on different Apple Accounts - I agree with @hg.wells that seems "normal" from my experience; maybe there's a setting to change that but I've never been bothered enough to look for it.

If the phone is on an older OS - not sure, that's outside my experience.

 

[chabig]

Through OS X Mavericks (2014) you had to open the Finder > Airdrop window to be seen. But starting with OS X Yosemite, they changed the protocol to make Airdrop more seamless. It hasn't been necessary to have Finder > Airdrop open for ten years.

If your Mac doesn't appear on your iPhone, open Control Center and make sure Airdrop is on. Next, make sure Wifi and Bluetooth are on for both devices. If it still doesn't work, try cycling Bluetooth off and on on each device.

Are you running any VPN or restrictive firewall settings?