The bluetooth network is unavailable ?

Question

Level 1

30 points

The bluetooth network is unavailable ?

Trying to share my internet connection from my Macbook to my iphone using bluetooth - have paired the phone and macbook succesfully, the phone appears in the dropdown when I click the bluetooth icon on my menu bar top right, with the option 'connect to network' When I click this I get "could not connect to network". Both devices bluetooth on and discoverable.

??

Macbook Unibody 13" & iphone 3GS 32GB, Mac OS X (10.6.2), iPhone OS 3.1.2

Posted on Jan 29, 2010 11:28 AM

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Answer 1

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,285 points

Jan 29, 2010 11:30 AM in response to Blewyn

The iPhone won't accept and internet connection via BT. Just not built in the software.

If you have a tethering plan you can to the reverse - iPhone to MB - but not the other way.

You can, however, create an ad hoc WIFI network with your MB and share that to the iPhone, providing the MB is getting its net access via ethernet.

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Answer 2

Blewyn Author

Level 1

30 points

Jan 29, 2010 11:40 AM in response to Ansuz82

Wow. Why would Apple do that ?

I can get to the net via wifi ad hoc as you say but I'm not using ethernet - I have a 3G USB modem. Works fine in OSX but I'm having a **** of a time trying to get it to work in Win 7.....

Thanks for your answer..

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Answer 3

Ansuz82

Level 6

8,285 points

Jan 29, 2010 11:48 AM in response to Blewyn

Not a problem.

They do it because, generally speaking, people use either WiFi or 3G to access data. Tethering it to a computer via BT is very, very uncommon and adding that protocol would take up additional space (and create additional complications).

Best course of action is to go to a few Win7 forums and get some advice on the adhoc network.

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Answer 4

Apr 6, 2010 9:46 PM in response to Ansuz82

I spent a couple of hours dealing with this today. My carrier (in Canada) said it was Apple's fault. Apple support spent 30 minutes on the phone with me, trying to make it work instead of telling me it was impossible... then suggested the Apple Store would help me.

If you are correct, and the BT connection is not possible... um, what is the point of having BT on the phone?

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