Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Software Fix for M1 Mac Bluetooth Connectivity Issues Reportedly On the Way

MacRumors said:


Apple is reportedly working on a fix for the Bluetooth connectivity problems that some M1 Mac users have experienced since the new machines were launched back in November.

mac-mini-macbook-pro-macbook-air-m1.jpg

When the M1‌ MacBook Air, ‌M1‌ MacBook Pro 13-inch, and ‌M1‌ Mac mini models arrived in customers' hands, a number of owners almost immediately began reporting various Bluetooth problems ranging from intermittent disconnects of wireless peripherals to completely non-functional Bluetooth connections.

Until recently, there was no consensus on whether the issues were due to a software problem or something more deep-seated, since Apple has not commented on the issues. However, The 8-Bit notes that The Atlantic writer Ian Bogost, who has personally run into Bluetooth problems, tweeted on Sunday that Apple told him "a fix is in progress and forthcoming just about anytime."


The development will be welcomed by anyone whose use of an M1 Mac has been blighted with the issues, which reportedly affect third-party accessories like Bluetooth mice, keyboards, and headphones, as well as Apple products such as AirPods, Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard.

Mac mini‌ owners have been worst affected, with the problems compounded by the fact that many rely on wireless peripherals to interact with their Mac in order to free up available ports. Some MacRumors staff members have also experienced similar problems.

Apple hasn't specified what's included in the coming ‌‌macOS Big Sur‌‌ 11.2 update, a beta of which is already in the hands of developers and public testers, but it likely includes performance improvements, security updates, and fixes for bugs that weren't able to be addressed in the release version of ‌‌‌macOS Big Sur‌.

Article Link: Software Fix for M1 Mac Bluetooth Connectivity Issues Reportedly On the Way
Click to expand...
Things went ok here as soon as we set up fixed internal IP addresses as opposed to the router automatically assigning IP addresses in our Wifi.
It is strange how this correlates to Bluetooth connectivity, but I can recommend everyone giving that a try, if you suffer from frequent Bluetooth drops (and from overall Wifi network instability, which used to be a problem for me, too).
 
cmaus said:
Things went ok here as soon as we set up fixed internal IP addresses as opposed to the router automatically assigning IP addresses in our Wifi.
It is strange how this correlates to Bluetooth connectivity, but I can recommend everyone giving that a try, if you suffer from frequent Bluetooth drops (and from overall Wifi network instability, which used to be a problem for me, too).
Click to expand...
Odd that you mention that! In addition to the random Bluetooth disconnects, my M1 MacBook was having problems obtaining IP addresses via DHCP. Setting a manual IP fixed the issue, like you mentioned. Updating to the 11.2 beta fixed the DHCP issue, but I'm still encountering random Bluetooth disconnects on my MagicMouse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: soulreaver99
mjsagert said:
Odd that you mention that! In addition to the random Bluetooth disconnects, my M1 MacBook was having problems obtaining IP addresses via DHCP. Setting a manual IP fixed the issue, like you mentioned. Updating to the 11.2 beta fixed the DHCP issue, but I'm still encountering random Bluetooth disconnects on my MagicMouse.
Click to expand...
That is not reassuring, I hope Apple is going to fix this before releasing 11.2
 
Kazgarth said:
While at it, it would be great if they implement a system UI scaling for monitors. As right now, the scaling is horrible (not HiDPI) if you set the screen resolution to anything that is not native, and there is no slider for UI scaling like in Windows.

There used to be a work-around using SwitchResX application, but the M1 stopped supporting custom resolution configurations.

Also the screen wake up time is quite long compared to anything on Windows.
Click to expand...
Ooh, I just ordered my first Mac to work with my 65" 4K TV as a monitor.
If MacOS has no UI scaling I might have a problem :(

Does anybody know if 3840x2160 is supported?
 
Last edited:
Zhubajie said:
Ooh, I just ordered my first Mac to work with my 65" 4K TV as a monitor.
If MacOS has no UI scaling I might have a problem :(

Does anybody know if 3840x2160 is supported?
Click to expand...
Of course 3840x2160 is supported. I'm running my M1 Mac Mini as a HTPC, connected to a 75 inch Samsung TV via HDMI.

Also, it has UI scaling, but it only has four steps so you might not get the UI elements in exactly the size you wish. I'd say it's good enough.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reason077 and Zhubajie
Dinocasino said:
Of course 3840x2160 is supported. I'm running my M1 Mac Mini as a HTPC, connected to a 75 inch Samsung TV via HDMI.

Also, it has UI scaling, but it only has four steps so you might not get the UI elements in exactly the size you wish. I'd say it's good enough.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
I will use it als HTPC too plus as work computer (remote sessions, Teams etc.).
I just don't want a huge interface because I'm sitting right in front of it but if you're happy with it on a 75" screen I expect it will be fine for me too.
 
A google search lead me to this article and I just had my M1 mac for a few weeks. I have the stuttering bluetooth mouse and keyboard issues for my Logitech MX3 / MX Keys too when connecting to an external display. It's really bad when I'm using it with a third party USB-C HDMI adapter and the only way to fix this is to use Apple's official USB-C display hub AND paired with logitech's dongle. Didn't have this problem on my 16 Inch MacBook Pro or my Windows PCs.

I'm on the latest 11.2 Release Candidate and it is STILL not resolved.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zhubajie
Apple_Robert said:
The Bluetooth problem also affects the AirPods Pro when used with the M1. Every 5 minutes, the connection will cut out for about 1 second and then keep going as if nothing happened. Grr (insert warm fuzzy feeling words here).
Click to expand...
Yep really frustrating
 
11.2 did not fix my disconnection issues. Today, my AirPods Pro started to flutter while playing music as if there was some sort of interference (did not do this under 11.1) and almost simultaneously my magic mouse disconnected. The only improvement I noticed was that my mouse reconnected on its own, which is something it did not do under 11.1.

I'm truly angry about this as this seems to have been a persistent problem with the Mini that Apple has ignored for years...I'm even considering returning my brand new Mac Mini in favor of an iMac. :mad:
 
  • Like
Reactions: AAPLGeek and sauria
STLCardsfan said:
11.2 did not fix my disconnection issues. Today, my AirPods Pro started to flutter while playing music as if there was some sort of interference (did not do this under 11.1) and almost simultaneously my magic mouse disconnected. The only improvement I noticed was that my mouse reconnected on its own, which is something it did not do under 11.1.

I'm truly angry about this as this seems to have been a persistent problem with the Mini that Apple has ignored for years...I'm even considering returning my brand new Mac Mini in favor of an iMac. :mad:
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that. Thanks for the update. I wonder of you need a wired keyboard and mouse for these M1 minis?
 
After the initial setup of my Mac Mini M1 and the upgrade to 11.2 I have had no dropouts of my keyboard, trackpad or mouse (logitech).
However when I connected my (decent fake) iPod Air's the sound vas very, eh, choppy and soon after my keyboard stopped working.
I haven't used the iPods since and after on/off my keyboard worked fine again.

The M1 mac's are fine products but they have problems and I hope they are fixable with software.
I'm a bit sick of the many messages that my external harddisk wasn't disconnected correctly. Also a common problem (only with the USB-C ports).
 
Zhubajie said:
After the initial setup of my Mac Mini M1 and the upgrade to 11.2 I have had no dropouts of my keyboard, trackpad or mouse (logitech).
However when I connected my (decent fake) iPod Air's the sound vas very, eh, choppy and soon after my keyboard stopped working.
I haven't used the iPods since and after on/off my keyboard worked fine again.

The M1 mac's are fine products but they have problems and I hope they are fixable with software.
I'm a bit sick of the many messages that my external harddisk wasn't disconnected correctly. Also a common problem (only with the USB-C ports).
Click to expand...
Thanks.
 
Still having the bluetooth issues on OS 11.2. I just purchased a new magic keyboard but it looks like it will need to go back. It's unusable at this point :(
 
Don't understand why it's taking them so long to come up with a solution. I'm loosing a bit of trust here to be honest. I have the impression they forgot people are paying premium prices for a premium product and service.
 
Running 11.2.3, my bluetooth mouse is still unusable. Sending my MacBook Pro (M1) to Apple for "repair." Not sure what they're going to be able to do about it.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Morod
jk48 said:
Running 11.2.3, my bluetooth mouse is still unusable. Sending my MacBook Pro (M1) to Apple for "repair." Not sure what they're going to be able to do about it.
Click to expand...
It took them too long to come up with a fix for this so I would have been sooo frustrated about that.
Perhaps yours is actually a hardware failure.
 
It seems this issue is not resolved. I'm getting the same problem with my M1 iMac. My Air Pod Pros work fine on older Macs and iPhone 11. Apple support wants to me reinstall the OS, I just got everything back and running on the new Mac. I'm reluctant to reinstall the OS, which I don't think will fix the issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MyopicPaideia
I moved all USB A devices to a T3 hub and Bluetooth on Apple wireless keyboard and mouse seems ok. Are you in 11.4?
 
After visiting the store and the geniuses didn't even acknowledge the issue, I've moved on, turned off Bluetooth, and using logi unify and keyboard cable connection along with UC Bluetooth adapter for the headset.
 
Since there's been several software updates and the problem is still not solved, I'm convinced that this is indeed due to poor hardware design. Everybody knows that a metal enclosure ain't the best choice for wifi and bluetooth reception.
There are rumors circulating that the upcoming Mac Mini will have it's top piece made out of.... glass!
That's Apple admitting that there was a hardware problem, albeit indirectly.
 
Currently, I have a 2018 i7 Mac mini on a newer tech plastic stand. It had some Bluetooth issues until I put it on the stand and moved the USB-A connected hard drives to an OWC 14 port Thunderbolt 3 dock. Now, I don’t notice any Bluetooth problems. The bottom of the machine is now elevated and perhaps the signal travels better is this orientation through a plastic bottom?
 
I often get this problem on my mac mini. Bluetooth either fails or makes my bluetooth speaker go fuzzy. I have Big sur 11.5.1
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back