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Some Apple M1 Mac Owners Reporting Bluetooth Connectivity Issues
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Yes, I am experiencing weak connectivity with my M1 mini and the Magic Mouse and keyboard. A bit frustrating when trying to work a few feet away from a large 4K monitor.
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
It's my first ever Mac Mini (M1 base model). I thought it was because I was using no name KB and Mouse. The KB is laggy and the mouse would twitch and freeze. I also could not log in with my apple watch. I've switched both to wired and now my apple watch works fine with my mini. Hope this gets sorted out.
My 2018 Mac mini had Bluetooth issues from day 1 along with almost every other 2018 Mac mini. This is especially apparent when using the USB ports on the back.
It seems like Apple somehow cannot come up with a way to shield the units properly?
I’ve given up on Apple ever addressing this or fixing it. So I’m exclusively using Logitech mice and keyboards since they connect via the Logitech unifying receiver.
And since Apple really haven’t upgraded or touched any of the “less essential” parts of the new M1 macs or the designs, I fully expect to see just as many Bluetooth issues as with the Intel counterparts.
A shame that Apple allows for such extraordinarily faulty Bluetooth when we know from the various AirPods that they are very capable of improving the tech significantly.
Anyone reading this thinking it’s an exaggeration has not owned a 2018 or newer mini. The Bluetooth is genuinely unusable unless you don’t use any of the ports on the back.
Try removing all other computers, iPads and phones from around your Mini (or laptop) and see if that helps. My '18 Mini has issues with my iPad and Phone next to it. When I remove them, it cuts the issue down a lot.
I'd like to report terrible Bluetooth issues on my MacBook Pro Retina 13 from Late 2012. Constant stray Bluetooth devices from all over the hotel connecting to my MacBook and disconnecting my headphones. Eight years on, I see they haven't solved the issue.
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
from the original article:
"... while another user was able to successfully connect their Logitech accessory using the included Unifying Receiver Bluetooth dongle."
The Unifying Receiver is not a bluetooth dongle, it is using Logitech's (proprietary) RF protocol instead, so yes I can understand that would solve bluetooth connectivity issues, since you're not using bluetooth anymore for those devices
.
"... while another user was able to successfully connect their Logitech accessory using the included Unifying Receiver Bluetooth dongle."
The Unifying Receiver is not a bluetooth dongle, it is using Logitech's (proprietary) RF protocol instead, so yes I can understand that would solve bluetooth connectivity issues, since you're not using bluetooth anymore for those devices
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I regularly (always) use a wireless mouse, keyboard and headphones without issues.
This I know is exactly my issue. I only have issues when my devices are close together. Either my iPhone sitting on my desk, or when I had my work MBP sitting on my desk while my iMac was powered on. About once every 20 minutes or so I will lose connection to both my keyboard and mouse. And once they reconnect they immediately disconnect again and take about 30 seconds sometimes to get reconnected and then all is well for another good 20 minutes.
Only ever happens when my devices are close.
Right now, I'm pretty sure it's because I have 2 MBP's sitting on my desk.
Exactly!from the original article:
"... while another user was able to successfully connect their Logitech accessory using the included Unifying Receiver Bluetooth dongle."
The Unifying Receiver is not a bluetooth dongle, it is using Logitech's (proprietary) RF protocol instead, so yes I can understand that would solve bluetooth connectivity issues, since you're not using bluetooth anymore for those devices
I’m pretty sure Logitech is making a killing on all the Mac owners who just want to use a wireless mouse or keyboard that doesn’t randomly disconnect.
Why Apple doesn’t offer users options to use either RF or Bluetooth on Apple keyboards and mice is beyond me.
Bluetooth is still very unreliable even when using only 5.0 devices.
Craig Federighi has destroyed macOS and iOS, he killed the "just works" motto , but hey! he's funny when he is on stage! that's what matters!
Agree 100%
Only faultless experience I’ve had with Bluetooth is AirPods and iPhone. But that’s not just Bluetooth but Bluetooth paired with Apple’s W1 chip.
obviously, there are no data ports on AirPods so I’m not expecting Apple to fix Bluetooth just by throwing a new chip into all futures macs.
Would be nice if the ease of use also applied to Bluetooth. Or maybe Apple could just make their own technology and be done with Bluetooth.
Personally, I put up with these issues because I like to have the latest and greatest. Even if I am a "beta" tester as some like to refer to us early adopters.
If you looks at the tear downs it’s almost identical to the Intel version. CPU is the main change. Prob same brand of bt chip.
Yup, every generation is the first generation of something in these machines.
