One of the unique new features introduced in OS X Lion is a peer-to-peer file transfer tool called AirDrop. AirDrop allows you to wireless send and receive files between another Mac, regardless of whether they are on the same WiFi network.
Unfortunately, AirDrop is not supported on all Macs. Fortunately, you can change that unfortunate fact, and and make AirDrop work over ethernet!
Enabling AirDrop on unsupported Macs or over ethernet can be done with a simple Terminal command (note: The feature still only works on Macs running OS X Lion or later):
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces 1
Once you’ve entered and run the command, just restart Finder (using the command ‘killall Finder’), or reboot your Mac in order for the changes to become final.
If you decide that AirDrop over ethernet isn’t your thing, or don’t care for the fact that unsupported machines must be on the same network for this to work (as opposed to Airdrop on supported Macs, which only requires you be in the same room), it can be disabled just as easily:
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces 0
The command will need to be run with all Macs intended to connect with the unsupported Mac.
Update: We have tested this on OS X Mountain Lion as well, which worked for our 2009 Mac Mini. Your results may vary – but please let us know!
For more helpful tips, check out our full collection of tutorials by visiting our How-To category!