Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Mac mini 2018 Bluetooth issues?
- Thread starter jclardy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I can't figure out why mine DOES work. I have a Magic Trackpad 2 that has never disconnected in the 2.5 months I've had it. I have it connected permanently to my USB powered hub. I also have 2 usb3 external drives connected to the same USB powered hub (they have their own power supply). The only weird thing is that each of the external drives would not get recognized in order to get formatted when I plugged them into the powered hub. I had to plug each, one at a time, into USB-A port in the back of the mini to get recognized and formatted. Once that completed, I moved the plug to the powered hub. The other thing that simply didn't work at all was computer sleep, I disabled that altogether. Otherwise no issues with usb or Magic Trackpad 2. I use a usb keyboard plugged into a switch box along with a Logitech webcam. I do not use any usb-c ports in the back. The usb 7 port powered hub is about 1 foot behind the mini. The mini sits just behind the monitor. The drives are about 3 feet away to the right. And the usb keyboard and trackpad are about 1.5 to 2.5 feet from the mini.
I am totally confused by your post... You just said you use the trackpad connected via USB. Why would you have issues? You wouldn't because you are not using it via Bluetooth. You have it directly connected to the computer. This thread is all about Bluetooth issues...
Yep, you are correct. Sorry, I should have said my system DOES work but I don't use bluetooth. The trackpad connected via bluetooth at first but with it on USB, it does indeed work correctly even with bluetooth off. My bad. I guess if you need bluetooth, don't get a Mac mini. I don't, apparently, use bluetooth so I'm OK. The bit of info that is interesting is that Magic whatever devices (the newer ones) can be used in USB mode except for the mouse. I don't think the mouse can be used permanently tethered. I suspect the keyboard can be permanently tethered. And the trackpad does work permanently tethered to a USB port - and work with bluetooth off.
Of course the mouse can't be tethered. The connector is on the bottom of the device.
I won't argue that! LOL The port should have been located at the front of the mouse.
I got the same issues with my 2017 i7 5K iMac new out of the box. Its been to repair 2 times. The first time the problem hasn’t been solved the second time they placed a whole new motherboard in it.
Although the Apple support was friendly I was very disappointed with it because I felt I was working on a refurbished iMac. They have to open the glued screen of iMac to get to get in. It took them 6 weeks to do the repair for a machine that almost costed me € 3000.
Although the problem with the Magic Mouse and Magic keyboard seems to have been solved, I still can’t stream music to my speakers when time machine runs. The music is streamed choppy.
Also my magic keyboard bend like a banana over time (remembers me of the problems of the new iPad Pro). I got a new magic keyboard too.
All in all I’m not happy with the total experience because I expected those basic things to work flawlessly.
I feel for the people who experience the same things with the Mac mini. It just works is a phrase from the past it seems. Good luck to you all and don’t give up with returning it. It could be that a Bluetooth dongle will cost a few €/$ but these are basic things and should work with a new computer, expensive or not.
Yep, I'm with you. It should just work out of the box. In the least, Apple should acknowledge the problem. They haven't. And yet my household bought 2. I feel like such an enabler :/ I'm just not willing to go back to Windows, Unix isn't it for me, and I like macOS warts and all. As long as you go in with your eyes open, you know the Mac mini's weakness (usb/bluetooth) you should be fine. Oh, and if you return it, voice your reasoning like a poster above noted.
I think we need this issue to be picked up by news/tech outlets in order for it to get more widely publicized. I think Apple may pay more attention to the issue if it makes mainstream media. It feels like even the smallest issue with it's notebook line always gets attention from the tech blogs, but desktop issues - not so much. Even MacRumors could put this thread on their front page with a little snippet about what is going on and that could go a long way in getting Apple's butt in gear.
To narrow this down, would it be correct to conclude that the following scenarios are the DIY fix for this problem (until Apple does something about it)?:
1. USB-A extension cable, bluetooth adapter, bluetooth software to disable internal bluetooth and enable bluetooth adapter
2. Powered USB-A hub with non-bluetooth peripherals plugged into the hub
Would the above allow for proper functioning of bluetooth for things like mice, trackpads, keyboards, etc.?
1. USB-A extension cable, bluetooth adapter, bluetooth software to disable internal bluetooth and enable bluetooth adapter
2. Powered USB-A hub with non-bluetooth peripherals plugged into the hub
Would the above allow for proper functioning of bluetooth for things like mice, trackpads, keyboards, etc.?
Just had my Magic Keyboard become unresponsive sitting literally 2 inches away from my Mm. This is REALLY starting to piss me off. I couldn't get it to come become active again until I turned the power off on the keyboard and then back on. Are you listening Apple!?
[doublepost=1549403407][/doublepost]
No, these are NOT fixes. There is NO fix until Apple does something. I have tried everything. There are some things that seem to lessen the issue, but no fixes. The only 'workaround' is to plugin a keyboard and mouse the old fashioned way, which is asinine.
No, I think #2 is with no bluetooth devices. You need to keep the cable plugged in for your Magic Keyboard 2 and trackpad 2. Good luck with the mouse.
3rd Party Bluetooth Dongle is a solid work around. I have 2 USB 3.x hubs plugged into my Mini. One into a USB port and one into one of the thunderbolt ports (via an adapter). My Bluetooth dongle is connected to one of the USB hubs with a 3ft USB2 extension.
Magic Kbd 2 + Magic Mouse 2 + BT Headphones all super solid with this config.
Magic Kbd 2 + Magic Mouse 2 + BT Headphones all super solid with this config.
Anyone had any experience (either good or bad) with the Orico BT adapters? They're readily available here, but I'm just about to return a heap of Orico USB3.1-Gen2 gear (SATA case, M2 case, Hub) because none of them are reliable with a Mac, at least.
I know I asked about this before, but the only real response I got (much appreciated as it is) was suggesting an IOGEAR, which I don't think is really available here, and I'd imagine the shipping will cost more than the dongle from most places that will even be willing to ship it here.
I know I asked about this before, but the only real response I got (much appreciated as it is) was suggesting an IOGEAR, which I don't think is really available here, and I'd imagine the shipping will cost more than the dongle from most places that will even be willing to ship it here.
Description says the Orico uses the Broadcom BCM20702 chip, so should be OK. Only one way to find out!
I run my keyboard wired to the USB port. (given how close you have it, i suggest you do too)
I did however experience the unresponsive dropout from my mouse and trackpad - it seems like a glitch. it sorts itself out in about 15 seconds, no need to force shut it off.
it's terrible tho. started happening with 10.14.3.
I still can’t get over the fact that people are willing to buy Bluetooth adapters and look the other way for Apple like this. This is what’s wrong with Apple.
Of course we want to hold Apple accountable, but what do you suggest we do in the meantime, while waiting for Apple to do something? Many of us are either out of the return period, can't give up our machines for any length of time to see if Apple can "fix" it, have BTO machines that have a 7 to 10 day lead time to get, etc.
If it's going to cost me $20 (Bluetooth adapter and USB extension cable) to "fix" this in the interim then, hell yeah, I'll just bite the bullet and do it. We have to be practical in these situations.
Fair enough, point take. As long as the people buying these adapters are still blowing Apple’s phones up.
That’s the sad part, Apple apologists will do anything to defend Apple, even if it means buying a garbage adapter to fix something that should work out of the box.
Where does one get the Bluetooth Explorer App? Thanks
[doublepost=1549518386][/doublepost]Okay, so I'm trying to figure out how to set up the adapter. Can anybody provide some instructions?
I downloaded Bluetooth Explorer from the Apple Developer website. Is that the correct software?
If so, what is the next step? What do I need to do within that software to disable internal BT and configure the external BT adapter?
Thanks in advance
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
have a look here:
https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...uetooth-dongle-instead-of-built-in-controller
Load bluetooth explorer, from the tools menu select controller selector, select the adapter and activate.