Is there a way to stop MacOS from automatically connecting to Bluetooth devices (without forgetting the device)? I have speakers that I use with both my MacBook and iPad and it seems whenever I want to connect my iPad my MacBook cuts in and connects first.
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Disable automatic Bluetooth connections
- Thread starter snail22
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Bigwaff
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On your MacBook, open Settings > Bluetooth .. under My Devices find your speakers ... click the little "i" button. In the dialog that appears, select "When last connected to this Mac". Now the speakers should only automatically connect to your Mac if they were last connected to the Mac.
Hmm this is all I see in the dialog... was this option added in OS 26 maybe? I'm still on Sequoia.
The "When last connected to this Mac" option only applies to Apple-branded devices, like AirPods.
Otherwise, that's just the nature of Bluetooth devices; most of them connect on a first-come, first-served basis.
I had a similar situation a while back. I had a device that would connect to my iPad when I wanted it connected to my Mac and vice versa. To solve the problem, I set up a couple of automations in Shortcuts on both devices. I had it so that it'd turn Bluetooth off on the iPad between 8-5 p.m. during weekdays (because I'm working on my Mac at those times and it forces the device to connect to my Mac). On the Mac, I'd have Bluetooth turned off at 5 p.m., so that the device disconnects and is available to connect to my iPad.
If you have multiple Bluetooth devices, then this method probably wouldn't work for you. You'd need to look into something like blueutil.
github.com
Otherwise, that's just the nature of Bluetooth devices; most of them connect on a first-come, first-served basis.
I had a similar situation a while back. I had a device that would connect to my iPad when I wanted it connected to my Mac and vice versa. To solve the problem, I set up a couple of automations in Shortcuts on both devices. I had it so that it'd turn Bluetooth off on the iPad between 8-5 p.m. during weekdays (because I'm working on my Mac at those times and it forces the device to connect to my Mac). On the Mac, I'd have Bluetooth turned off at 5 p.m., so that the device disconnects and is available to connect to my iPad.
If you have multiple Bluetooth devices, then this method probably wouldn't work for you. You'd need to look into something like blueutil.
GitHub - toy/blueutil: CLI for bluetooth on OSX: power, discoverable state, list, inquire devices, connect, info, …
CLI for bluetooth on OSX: power, discoverable state, list, inquire devices, connect, info, … - toy/blueutil
github.com