You might use Bluetooth to connect your Mac to a wireless mouse, keyboard, set of headphones, or other accessories. Usually, these devices are easy to connect to and use, but occasionally your Mac might say that a Bluetooth device is not available. Show
Other Bluetooth connection problems on your Mac can include:
When these Bluetooth issues crop up, they’re usually the result of software errors on your Mac, which you can fix with the steps we’ve outlined below. If you follow all these steps and Bluetooth is still not working on your Mac, you’ll need to get a hardware repair instead.
Step 1. Restart your Mac and Bluetooth deviceJust like every other computer system, sometimes the best way to fix Bluetooth problems is to restart everything. That means turning off your Mac as well as your Bluetooth devices.
Surprisingly, this is often the most effective solution when your Mac says a Bluetooth device is not available.
Step 2. Turn your Mac’s Bluetooth off and onIf restarting doesn’t help, try restarting the Bluetooth settings on your Mac. If you’re using macOS Monterey or Big Sur:Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar > then click the Bluetooth icon to toggle it off and on If you’re using macOS Catalina or earlier:Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click Turn Bluetooth Off. Step 3. Forget and reconnect your Bluetooth deviceBluetooth connection problems often arise after upgrading macOS or replacing the battery in your devices. This is because these actions can cause new software problems to emerge. The easiest way to fix them is to disconnect your devices from your Mac and then pair them again. The best way to disconnect a Bluetooth device is to tell your Mac to forget it. Follow these steps to do that:
After telling your Mac to forget a Bluetooth device, simply connect the Bluetooth device again just like when you first used it. Step 4. Delete the Bluetooth preferences on your MacIf your Bluetooth devices are still not working there might be an issue with the Bluetooth preferences list on your Mac. These PLIST files can get corrupted over time, causing problems with a variety of wireless connections. Follow the steps below to delete the Bluetooth preferences list from your Mac, forcing it to create a new file. After doing this, you may need to connect your Bluetooth devices again. Here’s how to find and delete the Bluetooth preferences list from your Mac:
3. Find the files following files (you may not have both of them):
4. Drag these files to the Desktop to create a backup copy of them. This is important in case you need to restore these preferences later
If your wireless Bluetooth device still doesn’t work with your Mac, move the PLIST file from your Desktop back into the Preferences folder and agree to Replace the new file. This will restore your old Bluetooth preferences. Step 5. Debug your Bluetooth connectionsThe next step is to make your Mac forget all the Bluetooth devices you’ve ever used and configure them again. You can do this using the Debug options in your Bluetooth preferences. However, you may want to create a backup of your Mac first, to ensure you don’t lose any important Bluetooth data. The way you find the Debug menu varies based on your Mac’s operating system. If you’re using the latest macOS Monterey the only way to debug Bluetooth is by using Terminal:
If you’re using Big Sur, follow these steps to reveal the Debug menu:
If you’re using macOS Catalina or earlier, follow these steps to reveal the Debug menu:
After opening the Debug menu, you should see the following three options:
We suggest you try each option, one at a time. After choosing to Reset the Bluetooth module, connect your Bluetooth devices again to test if your Mac still says they’re not available. If your Bluetooth devices still aren’t working, move on to the next Debug option, then test again and go onto the final option. Step 6. Troubleshoot your particular Bluetooth deviceThere is a huge range of different Bluetooth devices you can use with your Mac. Depending on which device you’re using, you might need to follow different troubleshooting tips to fix your Bluetooth problems. For example, in our guide on how to fix wireless mouse problems, we go into detail on changing the scrolling or tracking settings, but that won’t be very helpful if you need to troubleshoot some Bluetooth headphones. Try to find specific troubleshooting suggestions for your particular device to fix any lingering Bluetooth issues. Read more:
Written By With over 5 years of supporting Mac users, Ruslana lives and breathes everything Mac. Tech expert, Apple lover, and well, a cutie. Say hi on LinkedIn! With over 5 years of supporting Mac users, Ruslana lives and breathes everything Mac. Tech expert, Apple lover, and well, a cutie. Say hi on LinkedIn! Why won't my phone connect to my Mac Bluetooth?Restart your Mac and Bluetooth device
Just like every other computer system, sometimes the best way to fix Bluetooth problems is to restart everything. That means turning off your Mac as well as your Bluetooth devices.
Why won't my iPhone connect to my computer via Bluetooth?Try these steps first
Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory and iOS or iPadOS device are close to each other. Turn your Bluetooth accessory off and back on again. Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory is on and fully charged or connected to power. If your accessory uses batteries, see if they need to be replaced.
Can I connect my iPhone to my Mac via Bluetooth?Connecting your iPhone to your Mac via Bluetooth makes it possible to sync with iTunes wirelessly or to connect to Personal Hotspot, a feature available on select data plans that turns your iPhone into a mobile hot spot.
How do I get my Mac to recognize my iPhone?If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad. Look in the Finder or iTunes. ... . Update the software on all devices. ... . Connect your device directly to your computer. ... . Trust your computer, if asked. ... . Allow the accessory to connect. ... . Restart your devices. ... . Try a different port, cable, or computer. ... . Contact us.. |