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AIRDROP not working after upgrading to BCM94360HMB

voot566

voot566

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 6, 2019
19
4
Following this post: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/wifi-extremely-slow-after-upgrading-to-bcm94360hmb.2301502/

I upgraded the WIFI Module for my iMac 2009 Late to BCM94360HMB, which successfully enabled the AIRDROP function on my iMac (Currently running clean install High Sierra)

*note ~ There are currently three devices being used in my room. iMac 2009 Late, Mac Mini 2014 and iPhone 12 Pro Max. ALL this device has been set to EVERYONE in the airdrop settings.

However, despite the iMac has the AIRDROP function, it has two issues
1. It doesnt see any other iDevice with AIRDROP function until I wake up my Mac Mini 2014 (nothing modified). In another words, it doesnt see my iPhone 12 Pro Max, until I turn on my Mac Mini 2014. Once the Mac Mini 2014 wake up, both Mac Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be seen by the iMac 2009.
2. Despite the iMac can see both my Mac Mini 2014 and iPhone 12 Pro Max after I wake up the Mac Mini, neither these two devices can see my iMac in their AIRDROP screen..........

Any ideas???
 
I've read somewhere that Airdrop doesn't work unless Bluetooth is upgraded to at least version 4.0.
All my iMacs with the stock Bluetooth modules can not use Airdrop.
The only one that can use Airdrop is the one which I upgraded with a BCM94360CS (ac wifi + bluetooth 4.0) and disable the stock Bluetooth 2.1 module.
 
Nguyen Duc Hieu said:
I've read somewhere that Airdrop doesn't work unless Bluetooth is upgraded to at least version 4.0.
All my iMacs with the stock Bluetooth modules can not use Airdrop.
The only one that can use Airdrop is the one which I upgraded with a BCM94360CS (ac wifi + bluetooth 4.0) and disable the stock Bluetooth 2.1 module.
Click to expand...
I am pretty sure that the BCM94360HMB I got containting (ac wifi + bluetooth 4.0).
meanwhile, i think the iMac itself still have a BT 2.1 module inside....... Just curious, how do you disable the 2.1 module and keep the 4.0 one ftom functioning????
 
additionally, i found out that my Bluetooth Module showing "not discoverable" under system report, however, it shows discoverable under system preference????????? any ideas?
1624159592958.png
 
nambuccaheadsau said:
Yes it contains Bluetooth 4.0 and if ain't broken don't fix it. You know what happened to that cat, voot566?
Click to expand...
But that still make me confuse, how come the iMac can discover other device but cannot be discovered by other Apple machines.......
What cat??? I dont know that
 
voot566 said:
I am pretty sure that the BCM94360HMB I got containting (ac wifi + bluetooth 4.0).
meanwhile, i think the iMac itself still have a BT 2.1 module inside....... Just curious, how do you disable the 2.1 module and keep the 4.0 one ftom functioning????
Click to expand...

By disconnecting the USB cable that connect the 2.1 module to the logicboard, and connect the BDM94360CS to the USB port instead.
Your BCM94360HMB does have Bluetooth intergrated, but it doesn't have any connection to USB port. Your iMac won't be able to use it unless you do some modification.
In the hackintosh world, they tend to apply USB port mapping to reroute the USB port through the PCIe slot. (I don't know how to do it, though, just hear say things)
My BCM94360CS was salvaged from a working Macs, it's adaptor (purchase separately) has external wire and jack to connect to the USB port.

You can find the picture and other useful links on the below post:

forums.macrumors.com

iMac Mid 2011 Bluetooth 4.0 internal upgrade

Post Updated October 23rd, 2021 0. Preamble This is in fact an iMac Late 2007 to Mid 2011 Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi 802.11ac upgrade thread - which some minor adjustments one can use the guides posted here to apply this upgrade even on older iMacs and MacPro systems. Until this first post will...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
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Nguyen Duc Hieu said:
By disconnecting the USB cable that connect the 2.1 module to the logicboard, and connect the BDM94360CS to the USB port instead.
Your BCM94360HMB does have Bluetooth intergrated, but it doesn't have any connection to USB port. Your iMac won't be able to use it unless you do some modification.
In the hackintosh world, they tend to apply USB port mapping to reroute the USB port through the PCIe slot. (I don't know how to do it, though, just hear say things)
My BCM94360CS was salvaged from a working Macs, it's adaptor (purchase separately) has external wire and jack to connect to the USB port.

You can find the picture and other useful links on the below post:

forums.macrumors.com

iMac Mid 2011 Bluetooth 4.0 internal upgrade

Post Updated October 23rd, 2021 0. Preamble This is in fact an iMac Late 2007 to Mid 2011 Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi 802.11ac upgrade thread - which some minor adjustments one can use the guides posted here to apply this upgrade even on older iMacs and MacPro systems. Until this first post will...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
Click to expand...
Oh...... the USB connector, now I know why it didnt work properly, thank you so much, and I love you
 
voot566 said:
OKAY............. I just fixed the issue by a very simple solution
1. unplug the cable from the BT 2.1 module inside of my iMac
2. Plug a ORICO bluetooth 4.0 USB adapter
That is it, everything fix

This is the adapter I used:
View attachment 1795639
Click to expand...

I have one, too. Model name is BT-403; price about 3~5$, depending on sellers.
Not of much use, though.
Why?
For Windows PC, a BT 5.0 dongle costs 1/3 of this Orico dongle. (bought one be cause of the price, works great on Windows)
For iMac, this BT 4.0 is only useful for Airdrop, I guess. But I rarely use Airdrop on the iMac 2009, while I already upgrade the Wifi + BT combo in iMac 2010.
And it occupies 1 USB external port, but leave the internal USB port unused.
 
T
Nguyen Duc Hieu said:
I have one, too. Model name is BT-403; price about 3~5$, depending on sellers.
Not of much use, though.
Why?
For Windows PC, a BT 5.0 dongle costs 1/3 of this Orico dongle. (bought one be cause of the price, works great on Windows)
For iMac, this BT 4.0 is only useful for Airdrop, I guess. But I rarely use Airdrop on the iMac 2009, while I already upgrade the Wifi + BT combo in iMac 2010.
And it occupies 1 USB external port, but leave the internal USB port unused.
Click to expand...
That Orico Adapter cost me around 4~5$ too, which I bought it for my Windows PC
Is there a BT5.0 USB Dongle work for Mac already??
 
voot566 said:
That Orico Adapter cost me around 4~5$ too, which I bought it for my Windows PC
Is there a BT5.0 USB Dongle work for Mac already??
I dont really use AIRDROP too, but just wanna to fix it just in case LOL
Click to expand...

No BT 5.0 dongle for Macs yet. I guess because BT4.0 is enough, and it's standard equipped on every newer Macs already, not like the PCs.

And yes, in your case, the Orico BT dongle is the best option, if you don't mind losing the external USB port.
I use USB keyboards and mouse, and a USB external enclosure for the WIndows SSD, so the last USB port must be spared for emergency cases.
 
Nguyen Duc Hieu said:
No BT 5.0 dongle for Macs yet. I guess because BT4.0 is enough, and it's standard equipped on every newer Macs already, not like the PCs.

And yes, in your case, the Orico BT dongle is the best option, if you don't mind losing the external USB port.
I use USB keyboards and mouse, and a USB external enclosure for the WIndows SSD, so the last USB port must be spared for emergency cases.
Click to expand...
Well, there are 4 USB ports on my iMac 2009, guessing that is alright and enough...... the weird Magic Keyboard also give me 2 more USB..... so, not a big deal
I bought this iMac as 2nd hand for USD70 a week ago, and it is for my DAD to watch Netflix......... so I dont want to spend too much money for a 10 years old machine. I have already put a used 2TB SAMSUNG SSD inside, should be more than enough for it.
Thanks again for ur help
 
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voot566 said:
Well, there are 4 USB ports on my iMac 2009, guessing that is alright and enough...... the weird Magic Keyboard also give me 2 more USB..... so, not a big deal
I bought this iMac as 2nd hand for USD70 a week ago, and it is for my DAD to watch Netflix......... so I dont want to spend too much money for a 10 years old machine. I have already put a used 2TB SAMSUNG SSD inside, should be more than enough for it.
Thanks again for ur help
Click to expand...

２TB SSD is overkilled for an iMac used for media consumption. But you can use it as a Network storage for family photo and videos (selfie videos, not TV recordings or movie stuffs).
 
Yeah, I know that 2TB is too big.......... but it is just a spare SSD which I initially plan to use in my PC. That PC is not being with me anymore. So............. it is better to buy another SSD, as there is one. At least save some money
 
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