Catalina bluetooth issues - audio output switches intermittently

Hello guys,

Yes... I have to admit that after upgrading to the patch after a sleep mode I had back the same issue. My sony Headphones WH1000XM3 continue to connect/disconnect.  The only way to connect again my headphones and to have these ones fully working for a while is to remove the file /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist, reboot and reset PRAM.

Best regards

Then I apologize for insinuating that Apple might be screwing its customers.

Either way it's unacceptable that this issue hasn't been addressed and fixed by Apple already. People use these headphones all day. I travel every week and I can't use my $350 Sony Headphones WH1000XM3/B because of MacOs Catalina bug.

@Apple please escalate and give us an update!!!!!!

Besides the Sony headphones disconnecting it also is happening with the Plantronics PLBFit bluetooth headphones I have. So the issue is not isolated to Sony. Has any else tried using non-Sony bluetooth headphones and experienced the same issue of them disconnecting randomly like the Sony headphones?

This issue seems prevalent with all Sony Headphones, particularly WHX1000 series headphones.

Resetting the PRAM and deleting PLIST allows the bluetooth to work for a short amount of time. After a while decays back to cutting out every 5 minutes.

If you read my previous posts I discuss the fact that it is happening with any bluetooth brand of headphones. Airpods, Plantronics, Sony, Bose, etc.

The only thing I have notice that is weird is that the issue happens with a lot more frequency on my brand new mackbook air. Whereas in my Late 2014 15 inch Macbook Pro Retina I hardly experience the issue and when I do somehow it reconnects with 20 seconds. Completely different than the behaviour of the bug on my brand new Macbook Air, where it happenes every 5 minutes and you have to reboot or reset or debug the bluetooth on the computer to get it to work again properly with the bluetooth headphone but even once you get it working you the issue occurs again within 5 minutes.

@Apple - I am seriously considering going to the Apple Store today and returning my new Macbook Air because of this bug that you aren't acknowledging and aren't providing any input as to the issue and a timeline to have it fixed.

I have multiple Craig CMA3692 Bluetooth Speakers spread out around my place and after a few minutes of being connected while iTunes is playing, the sound switches back to the internal speakers. I actually have to turn disconnect the device(s) through the Bluetooth menu and then reconnect the device(s) to get the sound to switch back. I've also noticed that after you've done the disconnect/reconnect routine four or five times, you have to actually reboot because Mac OS Catalina stops accepting connections to said Bluetooth device(s).

Come on Apple, this isn't funny. I rely heavily on my bluetooth devices in my home and this bug isn't making matters easy for me to have to stumble back and forth to wherever my MacBook is, to possibly answer a phone call, stop the music, lower the volume, etc. just because I can't do those things from the Bluetooth device that was doing that before I moved away from the MacBook. This needs to be escalated and fixed quickly. Some of us out here in the real world that use these devices to help with Special Needs, this is a big must that should be given a lot of attention.

Sad Regards...

I have the exact same problem here with the Bose soundsport and the Jabra Elite 65t. I'm happy to know that it's not my headphones but sad to know that there isn't a fix in sight. (I also just upgraded to Catalina 10.15.1)

Same issue here with the WH-1000XM2.

When will be available a fix for this?

I can't use my headphones with my Macbook Pro because of that!

The entire Bluetooth system is broken in Catalina, pretty disappointed.

AskAgain, thanks for starting discussion.

Same problem, here. Plantronics backbeat pro (PLT BB PRO) randomly disconnects from macbook air.

Tried all simple solutions(delete file, restart bluetooth module, delete device from list)

Fun thing is that laptop still can see the headset, but can't play music on it.

Waiting for solution from tech support.

I have the same issue with 1000MX3, it is really very annoying for all tasks,

imagine playing a game and the voice disconnect in the middle of it and have to stop in the middle of the game, switch of bluetooth, switch on again, turn off headphones and turn it on again to get it working!!

this is really very bad!

I am also having this issue on the 2018 Macbook pro 13 inch since the update! Its awful and I am disappointed nothing has been addressed yet? Im using the Sony WH1000x M3, One moment I am listening to music in a silent office, the next my headphones cut out and the audio is playing full blast out of the speakers. Does apple understand how much trouble this can cause?

Hey guys!

I think I found a "solution" for this issue.

Create a new user in your Mac, log in and enable Bluetooth.

Put the headphones in "pairing mode", press the ON/OFF button until you listen to the "Bluetooth pairing mode" message.

Now you can see your headphones and connect to it!

If you go to your Mac user, the headphones will be there!

Let me know if that works for you guys!

I am using them right now without any issue!

Hey, gmrandazzo -- You are right! I tested your theory by going to System Preferences> Energy Saver> and clicking on the Power

Adapter tab. Then I set the Computer sleep time to "never." I was then able to use my Bose Soundlink II wireless headphones for as long as I wanted, just as long as I kept my laptop plugged in. Of course, this isn't a solution for those who want to depend on battery life. But I do hope some Mac engineers or coders or whatever are paying attention to this conversation!

Thanks!

I am having similar issues with bluetooth audio on macOS Catalina. In addition to the issues mentioned, audio distortion is occurring when the volume is turned near 80%. These issues do not occur in prior macOS releases. The 10.15.2 update does not solve this issue.

My issue has not been fixed with the update either. I will try disabling the "put computer to sleep" setting under the Energy Saver icon in System Preferences. That worked last time, though you do have to reboot afterwards. I had high hopes for this latest release. Oh well . . . .