Some Apple M1 Mac Owners Reporting Bluetooth Connectivity Issues

[MacRumors]

A number of M1 Mac owners are reporting problems with Bluetooth connectivity on the new machines, ranging from intermittent disconnects of wireless peripherals to completely non-functional Bluetooth connections.

Some users with M1 MacBook Air, M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch, and M1 Mac mini models are variously seeing problems with both third-party accessories like Bluetooth mice, keyboards, and headphones, as well as Apple products such as AirPods, Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard.

M1 owners have taken to the MacRumors forums and Reddit to discuss the glitches, and Mac mini owners appear to be 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.

One user reported identical issues after receiving a replacement unit from Apple, while another user was able to successfully connect their Logitech accessory using the included Unifying Receiver Bluetooth dongle. However, there's still no consensus on whether it's a software problem or something more deep-seated.

It's not clear how widespread the problems are, but Bluetooth issues certainly aren't unheard of on Macs. Nevertheless, the news will be disconcerting for anyone who relies heavily on Bluetooth connectivity and is waiting on a new M1 Mac. Apple has yet to respond to the issues, but we will update this article if we hear anything soon.

Article Link: Some Apple M1 Mac Owners Reporting Bluetooth Connectivity Issues

 

[JamonBull]

This kind of thing is why I always wait for the second version of a new Apple product.

 

[vicviper789]

This kind of thing is why I always wait for the second version of a new Apple product.

Every version will have some issue. Look at the latest gen of intel macs

 

[GDF]

I am seeing wireless disconnect for no reason, but need to evaluate more before I know it is an issue.

 

[zedsdead]

This is a constant Mac OS Issue, not an Apple Silicon issue. Have had this problem for YEARS with various Macs. Try connecting a keyboard, mouse and bluetooth trackpad all through bluetooth. Good luck. I've had to cable at least the trackpad to stop the stuttering and intermittent shutoffs.

It is random and has not been fixed. on ATP Casey talked about it in regards to his iMac Pro a few months back.

 

[Superhai]

I am getting the Mac mini tomorrow and will use it with the Apple keyboard, trackpad and mouse, so I hope there will not be much issues.

 

[yurc]

Actually, previous Mac Mini is exhibit similar issues, especially when USB3 peripheral connected, thus causing wireless interference.

The M1 one seems same in terms of construction, based on teardown.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

This kind of thing is why I always wait for the second version of a new Apple product.

Ha, your footer says 16" MacBook Pro - seems that didn't apply there, eh?

There's always going to be hiccups with new things, including second, third, fourth generations. They'll be fixed one way or another.

 

[imMango]

I probably have my mouse (Magic Mouse 2) disconnect twice or so every day with my Air M1. Never an issue with the keyboard (Magic Keyboard) though.

Never had any issues with my 16" MBP with either peripheral.

 

[WigWag Workshop]

No issues on my M1 MacMini, using a Gen 1 keyboard and trackpad.

 

[StellarVixen]

This kind of thing is why I always wait for the second version of a new Apple product.

And second version will have their own specific issues, they won’t have these issues but they will have some other.

Those who decide to wait due to these things will wait forever.

 

[aleni]

This issue has been existed before the m1. On my 2018 intel mbp when connected to external monitor, my magic mouse and keyboard often get disconnected and connected again within 5-10 secs. It’s annoying.

 

[newdeal]

This kind of thing is why I always wait for the second version of a new Apple product.

Well judging by recent history such as the butterfly keyboard they are more likely to insist nothing is wrong if it is a hardware problem and carry on as normal. More likely though it would be a software problem which they will fix eventually, although even that isn't a given these days with Apple

 

[johnnytravels]

Bit of a non-story, Intel Mac users have been reporting the same for years. Apple just doesn't care.

Maybe it's also Big Sur. On Catalina, I could use my Airpods almost throughout the entire flat from my Mac in the study. Now every time I go to the kitchen from the study next to it, the connection drops. It's almost 2012 bluetooth headset type connectivity...

 

[Julgates]

I have the issue with a logitech mouse connected via bluetooth, lagging from time to time on a Macbook Air.

 

[Marbles1]

I have the issue with a logitech mouse connected via bluetooth, lagging from time to time on a Macbook Air.

Same here with a 2020 MBP. Lag on my Logitech mouse when there's lots going on - as if the bluetooth connection gets no priority vs. other tasks.

 

[LeeW]

There have been issues with Bluetooth on the Mac Mini since the 2018 model, many threads about it on this site. I am not having any issues on the M1 at present though. I am using both Apple and non-apple mouse and keyboard.

 

[JamonBull]

Ha, your footer says 16" MacBook Pro - seems that didn't apply there, eh?

There's always going to be hiccups with new things, including second, third, fourth generations. They'll be fixed one way or another.

I wouldn’t class the 16” MacBook Pro as a “first version” like the M1 Macs are. M1 is a proper first version of something. Famously, the 16” has a revised scissor switch keyboard that fixes the redesigned 2016 MacBook Pro’s butterfly keyboard problems.

 

[lambertjohn]

I have a bluetooth mouse connected to my 2018 Air and for the most part, it works fine. But every now and then, at least once a month, it stops functioning and I have to reboot the computer to get the mouse to reconnect. Been that way since day one, and I just live with it.

 

[JamonBull]

Every version will have some issue. Look at the latest gen of intel macs

Sure. But history tells us that first versions are often more prone to having issues. Just the nature of it. Always try to wait, I say.

 

[rmoliv]

I’m experiencing intermittent disconnects with my AirPods connected to my MacBook Pro M1. Apple can’t get one right...

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I wouldn’t class the 16” MacBook Pro as a “first version” like the M1 Macs are. M1 is a proper first version of something. Famously, the 16” has a revised scissor switch keyboard that fixes the redesigned 2016 MacBook Pro’s butterfly keyboard problems.

The 16" machine is an all-new platform, and shares virtually nothing with the previous 15". The chassis, logic board, batteries, touchbar, keyboard - all different.

There's probably fewer changes to the M1 machines vs their respective previous generation in comparison to the 15" -> 16".

 

[LongWayHome]

I wonder if its an issue with Big Sur. My iMac since updating to it has had random bluetooth disconnects that it never had before. Not sure what's causing it but I never had them with Mojave or Catalina.

 

[Parystec]

Hi All,

Glad to see you have all joined in Bluetooth insanity !! I have had a Mac mini 2018, replaced once, still the same Bluetooth disconnect/freeze problem. The only thing I can say is it seems better with MacOS Big Sur. early days yet...

 

[Billyk711]

This kind of thing is why I always wait for the second version of a new Apple product.

So proud of you. You understand 8th generation MacBook pros get bugs and lose bluetooth connect sometimes.
So what do you wait for the 30th generation to be safe?