AirDrop Missing from Finder Sidebar in macOS Sequoia? Here’s How to Fix It

A lot of users are reporting that, after updating to macOS Sequoia, AirDrop simply refused to stay in the Finder sidebar. Users say that they tried adding it back via Finder > Settings > Sidebar, but the checkbox would deselect itself immediately. Oddly enough, AirDrop still worked if accessed through the Go menu or Spotlight (I explain how you can do this in the Bonus section below)—it just wouldn’t stay in the sidebar.

This issue isn’t unique to me. Many other users have run into the same problem, especially those using Apple Silicon Macs like the M1, M2, M3, and M4. While Apple hasn’t officially fixed the bug, there are a number of workarounds that might help.

Here are the most effective ones, gathered from the community and my own experience. I list 5 fixes and a bonus step.

See also: How to Add or Remove Columns in Finder

1. Force Quit and Relaunch Finder

Let’s start with the simplest fix. Many users found that force quitting Finder brings AirDrop back—at least temporarily. Here’s how:

• Press Command + Option + Escape (or alternatively, click the Apple menu and then Force Quit)
• Select Finder
• Click Relaunch
• This usually restores AirDrop in the sidebar until you shut down or restart your Mac. Unfortunately, the issue tends to return after rebooting.

We previously explained in more detail how to restart Finder — feel free to check that out if you need step-by-step instructions.

2. Delete Finder Preferences

One fix that worked for several people was removing the Finder preferences file:

• Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G (or click Go > Go to Folder).
• Enter: ~/Library/Preferences/
• Find and delete the file: com.apple.finder.plist
• Press Command + Option + Escape, select Finder, and click Relaunch
• This resets Finder’s sidebar settings and may help AirDrop stay put.

3. Reduce Sidebar Items

It sounds odd, but there’s a theory that too many favorites in the sidebar can cause AirDrop to get pushed out or hidden. Try this:

• Open Finder > Settings > Sidebar
• Uncheck some lesser-used items (like Music, Pictures, etc.)
• Try rechecking AirDrop again
• A few users reported success after trimming the list down to about 5 or 6 items.

4. Use Terminal to Reset AirDrop

You can this Terminal trick that worked for many:

Note: Using Terminal is easy.

defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop -bool YES
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop -bool NO
killall Finder

Just paste these into the Terminal app, line by line. This disables and then re-enables AirDrop, followed by restarting Finder.

5. Boot in Safe Mode

If you’re trying to rule out third-party interference. Safe Mode does a lot and also sometimes just using Safe Mode may fix a lot of issues itself:

First, check your Mac type:

• Click the Apple menu > About This Mac
• If it says Chip, you have an Apple silicon Mac
• If it says Processor, you have an Intel-based Mac

For Apple Silicon Macs:

• Go to Apple menu > Shut Down
• After the screen goes black, press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears
• Select your startup disk, like Macintosh HD
• Hold Shift, then click Continue in Safe Mode
• Your Mac will restart. You’ll see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar at login

For Intel-based Macs:

• Turn on or restart your Mac
• Immediately press and hold Shift until the login screen appears
• Log in. You may need to log in twice
• Look for “Safe Boot” in the menu bar

AirDrop often behaves normally in Safe Mode. If it does, that’s a clue something outside of macOS (like an app or extension) is causing the issue.

To exit Safe Mode, just restart your Mac normally.

We explained earlier how to start your Mac in Safe Mode in more detail — you can refer to that guide if you need step-by-step help.

Bonus: Use Spotlight or the Dock Instead

Even if AirDrop won’t stick in the sidebar, you can still use it:

• Press Command + Space and search for AirDrop
• Or drag the AirDrop window to your Dock for easy access

It’s not ideal, but it gets the job done until Apple resolves this bug.

See also: AirDrop Not Working? Fix