16-inch MacBook Pro Bluetooth issue

Hi

Yes, CSR8510 A10 does not help, but it will crash your internal BT for sure (if bluethoothHostControllerSwitchBehaviour=always - because if it is, the OS uses the dongle).

You need (for example) a Dongle with a Broadcom Chipset. E.g. BCM2045A or BCM2046B. They only support BT2.1 (no BLE).

You can see your chipset in 'About this Mac' -> System -> USB.

I can send you one to Turkey.

Email me at: info//at//zweimueller//ch

BR

Boris

It’s infuriating that Apple isn’t putting out a fix for this problem. I was in dialogue with multiple senior advisors for over a month who all recommend logic board replacement. I too was able to fix the issue with a BT 2.0 dongle and told the senior advisors what the fix is, they brushed it off. Why won’t they listen to their users in this issue? It would save them lots of money in replacement parts, countless hours of support time and prevent customer frustration.

ndrock wrote:

Why won’t they listen to their users in this issue? It would save them lots of money in replacement parts, countless hours of support time and prevent customer frustration.

Provide https://feedbackassistant.apple.com. Unless Apple Engineering recommends it internally, Apple Technical Support will follow corporate guidelines.

Its quite a mess through apple service. Talked about this bluetooth problem with third-Apple service certified center : they choose to replace motherboard to be paid by Apple than push that solution to Apple Engineering support.

Maybe if someone call Apple service center in the USA, the problem will disappear with firmware update.

Thanks all for found this crazy solutions, yes it definitely works.

[Edited by Moderator]

I am in contact with Apple support about this issue which I experience exactly the same as other people here: after having previously an external bluetooth dongle connected the internal bluetooth won't work anymore.

The advisors I spoke with are very helpful but it seems quite hard to get something reported as a bug. Even after telling them how many people are affected and telling them about this thread on the forum. It just seems to be how they are instructed so I don't blame them.

I understand there should be some filtering on support as it could get very costly otherwise, but Apple should be more open to bug reports in my opinion.

After many types of resets, trouble shooting, diagnosis and re-installing the OS twice (even wiping everything the last time) I finally got a phone number that I can call tomorrow to further escalate the support case, so let's hope this will get properly investigated by Apple engineers soon.

Just wanted to add, that this worked perfectly to fix my internal Bluetooth.

The internal Bluetooth stopped working after I had plugged in a Bluetooth 4.0 dongle.

I just followed these instructions, using a cheap dongle I got from amazon here (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0013BFQUE).

Honestly I was pretty sceptical, but it worked, and was much more convenient than taking my MBP to an Apple store.

Now Apple, please fix this, so people don't have to resort to this strange hack.

Had this same issue occur to me too. A USB hub with a 4.0 BT adapter caused my internal bluetooth to stop working.

I ordered the no-name brand adapter from amazon and the StarTech one. Neither one work, they both appear as CSR chipset in system information. I'm having a difficult time finding a broadcom one in the states. If anyone has access to one, or a spare, please contact me if I'd be able to obtain it from you somehow (poxin13 at gmail). Very frustrating!

I tried every possible combination of plugging/unplugging, smc/pram, deleting bluetooth conf, resetting chipset, rebooting, pairing/cancelling. Could not get internal to work after unplugging the 2.0 adapter.

Hi Poxin, I would suggest contacting Apple Support: find your local phone number here: https://getsupport.apple.com or you can use the chat there. I think it's just users helping each other on this forum so Apple probably isn't aware of the problem when we only talk about it here. Also I would suggest to explain clearly how the problem appeared after having the external bluetooth receiver attached. Some of the advisors I talked to didn't really understand that part at first and when they did I got the comment they haven't heard of this problem before.

So I think it would help if people affected by this problem communicate to Apple through the official support channels that you can find on the Apple support website.

i forgot : between these steps you must try to pair bluetooth with something when dongle-bluetooth is disconnected.

First detection was quiet long for me (time for internal B wake up i think) like 10 seconds to connect keyboard and trackpad.

Be strong. 🙂

Every advisor and genius guy have to say « i haven't heard of this problem before » to not say the product have issue and we know we miss something.

Tried 3 times with retina display anti-glare issue..

Correct; the issue is if Apple doesn't acknowledge it as a problem, the fix will be to follow the repair guidelines. In this instance, replace the motherboard.

My USB dongle wouldn't show devices in bluetooth so I wasn't able to attempt pairing. I'm trying a different one in a few days whenever it gets here.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

After hours of trying every reset on earth I found this thread and bought what I could get from amazon that looked like BT2.0.

I had to do several SMC resets and when I thought it would never work again it connected. This made my day :)

If you are from Germany and need a working BT dongle - this is the one that worked: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00GA3LBYK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(CSL USB Bluetooth 2.0 Dongle - 2,99Euro)

If it's not available on Amazon try eBay ;)

After lots of attempts using a few different procedures, I am giving up. "Mushroom Head" BT 2.0 acts dead. Startech.com "2.1" registers as BT 4.0 on the MacBook 16 and it behaves like one.

Do I find two weeks to give up my work computer to Apple? Is this to (maybe not even) get a new board? Like you all, I have spent dozens of hours on this. I would give up and live with the dongle, except the BT 4.0 dongle (the original one) does not connect to a piece of equipment I need. Neither does another BT 4.0 dongle. I got Apple Care.

Sad. Discouraged. Tired.

I'm finding it impossible to fix with my own CSR 2.0 dongle.. I'm working for a swiss company but haven't travelled there since February due to covid, so I might need to borrow one to Portugal.. I will also return it AND buy you a beer next time I'm there :D

Could you maybe drop me a msg at zedblade DOT santos @ G man..?