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MP 6,1 Mac Pro 2013 - Airport WiFi / Bluetooth LE 4.2 card upgrade
- Thread starter rybak17
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tsialex
Contributor
There is an iMac AirPort Extreme BCM943602CDP that has the exact same specs/antennas as the 2013 Mac Pro BCM94360CD AirPort Extreme, just with the improved BT 4.2 controller, but I don't remember reading about anyone doing this replacement as the size of the card is different, the BCM943602CDP is longer and maybe will be a very tight fit or even won't fit at all.
BCM943602CDP is commonly used as an upgrade to MacPro5,1, since the older model does not have any size constrains.
BCM943602CDP is commonly used as an upgrade to MacPro5,1, since the older model does not have any size constrains.
I have fitted BCM943602CDP. Works great and no problem with size:
I even added a USB 2.0 hub in-between this card and the MacPro's logic board USB connector (documented link in my Signature) that avoids any issues with Big Sur & Monterey (and will definitely be needed in the future if I install Ventura).
I even added a USB 2.0 hub in-between this card and the MacPro's logic board USB connector (documented link in my Signature) that avoids any issues with Big Sur & Monterey (and will definitely be needed in the future if I install Ventura).
tsialex
Contributor
Did you even noticed that the OP have a late-2013 Mac Pro and not an early-2009 to mid-2012 Mac Pro?
🤦♂️ Sorry ...no I did not read correctly. I really need to get some spectacles 😬
I don’t remember even seeing the card when I upgraded my 6,1 Mac Pro to a 2.7ghz 12 core CPU.
I will look again though when I get time.
Mac Pro Late 2013 AirPort Card Replacement
Use this guide to replace the AirPort card in your Mac Pro Late 2013.
www.ifixit.com
It doesn’t look terrible to do, just a matter to find a card that will fit.
tsialex
Contributor
Did you tried to install it? I assumed from the start that would be a too tight fit or wouldn't even fit.
Hello!
I’ve got shorter version of BCM943602CDP. It fits mac pro 6,1 almost perfectly. Wifi works out of the box in Monterey, but there is no bluetooth. The only way to enable bluetooth is with OpenCore. But it is detected as THIRD_PARTY_DONGLE. And I can’t connect more than 4 devices, bluetooth just turs off. There is no bluetooth on startup, so need to connect keyboard via usb to hold Option on boot chime for boot picker to load. And I can’t find a driver in win 11 bootcamp, so no bluetooth in windows too.
Maybe someone can assist me with usb port mapping? I think this is the only way to make it work.
I’ve got shorter version of BCM943602CDP. It fits mac pro 6,1 almost perfectly. Wifi works out of the box in Monterey, but there is no bluetooth. The only way to enable bluetooth is with OpenCore. But it is detected as THIRD_PARTY_DONGLE. And I can’t connect more than 4 devices, bluetooth just turs off. There is no bluetooth on startup, so need to connect keyboard via usb to hold Option on boot chime for boot picker to load. And I can’t find a driver in win 11 bootcamp, so no bluetooth in windows too.
Maybe someone can assist me with usb port mapping? I think this is the only way to make it work.
Maybe not as elegant .... could one consider a small usb one for better faster bluetooth - or would it be constrained by the USB speeds? Thanks 🙂
Update : after much looking around.... there are allot of Bluetooth 4 dongles but no 5+ so it would not make any difference in quality for improved audio ( for example ) .... I wish someone out there would make one compatible with the MacOS out of the box .....
Update : after much looking around.... there are allot of Bluetooth 4 dongles but no 5+ so it would not make any difference in quality for improved audio ( for example ) .... I wish someone out there would make one compatible with the MacOS out of the box .....
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Anyone got good suggestion for how to run newer bluetooth on the 6.1 Mac Pro?
I just bought a black Magic Keyboard and the black Magic Mouse (used, lightning model) and now i cant get it to link up with the mac pro. Understand this is two different bluetooth versions.
I have one spare 94331CD card but dont think it will fit my MP6.1 2013.
Please if anyone solved this issue with bluetooth just link the dongle or what ever solution you found it would be very helpful for anyone reading this thread.
I just bought a black Magic Keyboard and the black Magic Mouse (used, lightning model) and now i cant get it to link up with the mac pro. Understand this is two different bluetooth versions.
I have one spare 94331CD card but dont think it will fit my MP6.1 2013.
Please if anyone solved this issue with bluetooth just link the dongle or what ever solution you found it would be very helpful for anyone reading this thread.
Xde
macrumors regular
Are there electronics in the rear part of the card?
On the upper side seems to be none. On the lower side?
If there is also nothing to find, It could be an idea to remove the black paint with something like
acetone or at least sandpaper..
and get a look through the epoxy onto a bright light, if there is any wiring inside the layers.
If not, it could by an option to simply cut the rear part of the epoxy.
(But I dont know how the card is mecanically mounted, as I dont see any screw on the photos)
On the upper side seems to be none. On the lower side?
If there is also nothing to find, It could be an idea to remove the black paint with something like
acetone or at least sandpaper..
and get a look through the epoxy onto a bright light, if there is any wiring inside the layers.
If not, it could by an option to simply cut the rear part of the epoxy.
(But I dont know how the card is mecanically mounted, as I dont see any screw on the photos)
Hi 🙂 how do you know which one is the short one if it's the same model number please 🙂
Ordered a BCM943602CDP too - but I bet it's the longer one 🙁 ups ......