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macOS Catalina 10.15.6 Successfully Fixes USB 2.0 Issues Experienced by 2020 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Users

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macOS Catalina 10.15.6 successfully fixes a frustrating bug that prevented some USB 2.0 accessories from working properly with 2020 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, according to MacRumors readers and users on Reddit.

13inchmacbookpro20203.jpg

Apple in the release notes for the macOS Catalina 10.15.6 update said that the update "resolves an issue where certain USB mouse and trackpads may lose connection," and people who were experiencing that particular problem have confirmed that their accessories are now able to successfully connect.

The bug was first noticed earlier this year by MacBook Air and MacBook Pro users who purchased one of the new 2020 machines. The Mac notebooks were unable to properly work with USB 2.0 accessories connected to their machines through hubs or adapters.

Problems included lost connections, freezes, and a failure to work entirely, and those affected were unable to find any kind of fix with methods like SMC resets, safe mode, Disk Utility repairs, and more. The only suitable fix was using a more expensive Thunderbolt 3 hub instead of a USB-C hub.

Though Apple's release notes mention mice and trackpads, the problem affected all kinds of devices, including keyboards and other accessories, though it appeared to be limited to USB 2.0 devices rather than USB 3.0 or 3.1 accessories.

There have been numerous reports from those who were experiencing the issue that confirm macOS 10.15.6 addresses the issue for all kinds of accessories. The fix doesn't appear to have been implemented in macOS Big Sur, however, so some users may still run into USB issues on the newest update until Apple adds the fix to Big Sur as well.

Article Link: macOS Catalina 10.15.6 Successfully Fixes USB 2.0 Issues Experienced by 2020 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Users
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/07/16/macos-10-15-6-usb-2-bug-fix/
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Well, it seems to have taken out the speakers on my 16" MacBook Pro, I updated and then it wouldn't output sound when I logged into my current meeting. I'll try a reboot after the meeting, maybe that will clear the issue....otherwise it's an email to support so they can fix the problem.
 
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MacRumors said:


macOS Catalina 10.15.6 successfully fixes a frustrating bug that prevented some USB 2.0 accessories from working properly with 2020 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, according to MacRumors readers and users on Reddit.

13inchmacbookpro20203.jpg

Apple in the release notes for the macOS Catalina 10.15.6 update said that the update "resolves an issue where certain USB mouse and trackpads may lose connection," and people who were experiencing that particular problem have confirmed that their accessories are now able to successfully connect.

The bug was first noticed earlier this year by MacBook Air and MacBook Pro users who purchased one of the new 2020 machines. The Mac notebooks were unable to properly work with USB 2.0 accessories connected to their machines through hubs or adapters.

Problems included lost connections, freezes, and a failure to work entirely, and those affected were unable to find any kind of fix with methods like SMC resets, safe mode, Disk Utility repairs, and more. The only suitable fix was using a more expensive Thunderbolt 3 hub instead of a USB-C hub.

Though Apple's release notes mention mice and trackpads, the problem affected all kinds of devices, including keyboards and other accessories, though it appeared to be limited to USB 2.0 devices rather than USB 3.0 or 3.1 accessories.

There have been numerous reports from those who were experiencing the issue that confirm macOS 10.15.6 addresses the issue for all kinds of accessories. The fix doesn't appear to have been implemented in macOS Big Sur, however, so some users may still run into USB issues on the newest update until Apple adds the fix to Big Sur as well.
Click to expand...

They aren't issues, they're features lol
 
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Keymaster said:
Well, it seems to have taken out the speakers on my 16" MacBook Pro, I updated and then it wouldn't output sound when I logged into my current meeting. I'll try a reboot after the meeting, maybe that will clear the issue....otherwise it's an email to support so they can fix the problem.
Click to expand...

Try a SMC reset.

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

The SMC manages power and hardware behavior on your Mac. This troubleshooting article explains when you should reset it, what issues it can fix, and how to perform an SMC reset depending on your Mac model (Apple Silicon, Intel with T2 chip, or older Macs)
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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This was not only affecting 2020 MacBook Pro and Airs. This was widely affecting all USB-C only Macs we have in our office (2017 + 2018 MacBook Pros and 2019 MacBook Air). According to the first reports the issue seems fixed on at least the MacBook Pros.

Only big issue that seems to be left now is a problem with third party headphones that use the headphone jack.
 
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totom_ said:
Mouses, keyboards, printers,... Literally anything not storage related uses USB 2.0. Even most USB C charging cables are USB 2...
Click to expand...

Heck I even have a few old USB 2.0 HDDs I still use from time to time. I bought 'em for their FW800 compatibility but with that long dead I just have to fall back onto USB instead.
 
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Which is why (unless you're having serious issues with the current OS, and can't deprecate to an earlier one*), the most hassle-free update path has become to go from x.6 to (x+1).6, rather than x.0 to (x+1).0.

I.e., update to a new OS in the summer, when the last version of the current OS is released, rather than in the fall, when the first version of the next OS is released.

*Relatedly, the one exception might be when the next OS is a "stability" release (e.g., Snow Leopard and High Sierra). These tend to be the best ones.
 
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Facinating how much has been learned with the work from home and tech's ability to do well there. Not supprised by it, but at least one thing positive that has been learned.

Mr. Dee said:
It took COVID for this engineers to put their heads down and actually fix the problem. Maybe they should just sell the space ship and let everybody work from home.
Click to expand...
 
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zorinlynx said:
This is one reason I won't be buying ARM-based Macs right out of the gate... New hardware revisions on the existing platform end up having little glitches like this... Imagine an entirely new platform.
Click to expand...

You'll be waiting for a long time if you're waiting for perfection. This wasn't a hardware issue, for starters.

The current MacBook machines are not based on a new architecture, and the iPhone was released in 2007 with entirely new architecture featuring problem-free hardware, along with dozens of years of new releases after that.
 
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MacRumors said:


macOS Catalina 10.15.6 successfully fixes a frustrating bug that prevented some USB 2.0 accessories from working properly with 2020 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, according to MacRumors readers and users on Reddit.

13inchmacbookpro20203.jpg

Apple in the release notes for the macOS Catalina 10.15.6 update said that the update "resolves an issue where certain USB mouse and trackpads may lose connection," and people who were experiencing that particular problem have confirmed that their accessories are now able to successfully connect.

The bug was first noticed earlier this year by MacBook Air and MacBook Pro users who purchased one of the new 2020 machines. The Mac notebooks were unable to properly work with USB 2.0 accessories connected to their machines through hubs or adapters.

Problems included lost connections, freezes, and a failure to work entirely, and those affected were unable to find any kind of fix with methods like SMC resets, safe mode, Disk Utility repairs, and more. The only suitable fix was using a more expensive Thunderbolt 3 hub instead of a USB-C hub.

Though Apple's release notes mention mice and trackpads, the problem affected all kinds of devices, including keyboards and other accessories, though it appeared to be limited to USB 2.0 devices rather than USB 3.0 or 3.1 accessories.

There have been numerous reports from those who were experiencing the issue that confirm macOS 10.15.6 addresses the issue for all kinds of accessories. The fix doesn't appear to have been implemented in macOS Big Sur, however, so some users may still run into USB issues on the newest update until Apple adds the fix to Big Sur as well.

Article Link: macOS Catalina 10.15.6 Successfully Fixes USB 2.0 Issues Experienced by 2020 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Users
Click to expand...
[automerge]1594938188[/automerge]
After update to 10.15.6 I still have the constantly connecting and losing connection almost every two seconds using my trackpad. I have to use it connected with an usb cable and then no problem. I have an iMac 21.5 late 2013.
Thanks
 
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Bokito said:
This was not only affecting 2020 MacBook Pro and Airs. This was widely affecting all USB-C only Macs we have in our office (2017 + 2018 MacBook Pros and 2019 MacBook Air). According to the first reports the issue seems fixed on at least the MacBook Pros.

Only big issue that seems to be left now is a problem with third party headphones that use the headphone jack.
Click to expand...

This bug affected my 2017 MacBook Air, which is USB-A. I would go through hell trying to connect my iPhone to import pictures into the photos app on the Mac due to constant disconnections. I’m glad it’s fixed now.
 
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theorist9 said:
Which is why (unless you're having serious issues with the current OS, and can't deprecate to an earlier one*), the most hassle-free update path has become to go from x.6 to (x+1).6, rather than x.0 to (x+1).0.

I.e., update to a new OS in the summer, when the last version of the current OS is released, rather than in the fall, when the first version of the next OS is released.

*Relatedly, the one exception might be when the next OS is a "stability" release (e.g., Snow Leopard and High Sierra). These tend to be the best ones.
Click to expand...
I'm on High Sierra now, and my feeling is that Mojave is now a safe upgrade, and am about to upgrade my SSD and put Mojave on it. Would you agree with my assessment, or do you think I should stick to High Sierra?
 
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Bokito said:
This was not only affecting 2020 MacBook Pro and Airs. This was widely affecting all USB-C only Macs we have in our office (2017 + 2018 MacBook Pros and 2019 MacBook Air). According to the first reports the issue seems fixed on at least the MacBook Pros.

Only big issue that seems to be left now is a problem with third party headphones that use the headphone jack.
Click to expand...

Make sure the headphones have a TRRS jacks (4 metal segments with black bands separating) . If you stand alone listen only headsets with TRS jacks (3 metal segments) you will need an adapter.
 
jayducharme said:
Hmmm ... even though my CalDigit dock is supposedly TB3, I wonder if the update might also fix its sporadic quirkiness. I guess I'll have to keep playing around with it to find out.
Click to expand...

Which CalDigit dock do you have and what quirks does it display? I have this one. It mostly works pretty great. Occasionally I have to open my MacBook lid to get it to wake up. Other than that I'm pretty happy with it.
 
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