User profile for user: Carlos Perez2
Carlos Perez2 Author
User level: Level 1
34 points

Can't rename Apple Keyboard or Magic Mouse -Solved-

Hello Everyone...


I bought a used Apple Magic Mouse and Keyboard and was frustrated by the inability to rename either to something I liked other than the names they came with.


Using the "Rename" function within the BT Control Panel DID NOT WORK as the name would revert to the old name. Even when attempting the rename on multiple machines. I am using latest version of Catalina on a mid 2012 15" MBP with 16 GB memory and an SSD.


After hours of research, troubleshooting, and frustration (deleting this and that and resetting this and that)... all the standard stuff, I FOUND THE SOLUTION:


You need a machine running Mac OS 10.5.8 Leopard up to and including Mac OS 10.10.6 El Capitan BUT NOTHING LATER THAN THAT. Regardless of machine. Just pair your mouse or keyboard to a machine running the correct version of Mac OS and rename. VOILA! Name is applied as it should be!


This is due to a bug in newer versions of Mac OS that do not do the naming correctly. Hopefully Apple will correct at some point.


Enjoy!


Regards,


C. Perez

Posted on Dec 8, 2019 2:16 PM

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User profile for user: Andrew Montgomery3
Andrew Montgomery3
User level: Level 1
4 points

Posted on Nov 14, 2020 4:43 PM

As of 10.15.7 (and possibly sooner), renaming seems to work (and stick).


One note to add, which may be slightly off-topic from the OP, but may help folks stumbling on this for a related reason.


I found my way here because I couldn't find the option to "Rename". The only option I had was to "Remove":


If you are in the same situation, here's the solution:


Unplug the Lightening cable from the device.


That will force it to connect via Bluetooth. Then you will find the option to rename it.

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User profile for user: DJB444
DJB444
User level: Level 1
19 points

Jun 25, 2020 1:06 AM in response to lucasgeds

I had a similar problem and found this solution worked for me.


  1. Make sure the bluetooth icon is showing in your menu (top right). If not enter Bluetooth in System Preferences and tick the box “Show Bluetooth in menus bar”
  2. Make sure your Magic Mouse is paired and connected to your mac
  3. Hold the SHIFT and OPTION key down while left-clicking the bluetooth icon.
  4. An extra option has appeared in the bluetooth menu: 'Debugging', go there
  5. Click 'Factory Reset all connected apple devices'
  6. Acknowledge the warning message
  7. Turn off your mac using the switch as your mouse and keyboard are now not recognised
  8. Power up your Mac and allow it to re-discover your keyboard and mouse, check the Bluetooth icon and both should now be renamed System Administrator’s Keyboard/Mouse

Hope this works for you.

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Can't rename Apple Keyboard or Magic Mouse -Solved-

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