Old Macs and Airdrop

[allen-uk]

Partner has an 'ancient' Macbook Pro (2008). We both have iPads, and I use a MacMini (late-ish).

Anyway, we often send things to each other via Airdrop, or rather we do on our iPads, and to and from the MacMini, but because the MacBook Pro is so old, can't Airdrop to or from it.

There IS a terminal command which does kick the MacBook into Airdrop, but you have to keep coming in and out of 'searching for older Macs', otherwise iPads etc seem to have trouble seeing the MacMini, which sort of defeats the object.

Question. Is there some sort of bolt-on App which we could put onto the MacBook which would permanently enable it to work as an Airdrop sender and receiver? (I have tried convincing her that she needs a new machine, but being sensible, she says it would be a lot of money for a very small gain!)

Allen.

 

[badshoehabit]

Apple's system requirements and instructions here: Use AirDrop on your Mac - Apple Support

If the Mac is from 2012 or earlier, click “Don't see who you're looking for?” in the AirDrop window or sharing sheet of the sharing Mac. Then click “Search for an Older Mac.”
If the receiving Mac is using OS X Mavericks or earlier, make sure that an AirDrop window is open on that Mac: choose Go > AirDrop from the menu bar in the Finder.


That MBP has done well!

 

[allen-uk]

Okay Sue, next time we both have our Macs on and open, we'll try that (seems too easy, but it sometimes is!)

Allen.

 

[allen-uk]

Yes and no is the answer. Yes, if I connect from my later MacMini to my partner's old Macbook, then we an establish an AirDrop link, which is useful. No, she can't link to me using the same route, but has to wait for me to do the setting up.

Also no, she can't link to our iPads from her Macbook. I can link where I like from the MacMini.

So the answer does help, as it means she can send me pics/webpages/etc from her Macbook, but only if she tells me she wants to so I can set it up!

My original question stands. Is there an app I can buy to put on her Macbook so that her Macbook becomes a full AirDrop machine?

Allen

 

[badshoehabit]

Two more options

Enable AirDrop on Older, Unsupported Macs

How to Enable Airdrop to iPhone on Older MacBooks

 

[allen-uk]

Thanks Sue. I've tried the Terminal route, and it's okay, but you have to turn it OFF each time you want AirDrop to act normally, so it's cumbersome.

However, the other process looks sound, so I'll give it a go when I've got an hour to set it up.

Thanks for the help.

Allen.