16-inch MacBook Pro Bluetooth issue

Nope, the internal module never works since I plugged the dongle into it. I went extreme to installing Big Sur Beta and wiping the internal storage then reinstalling Catalina, no luck at all. I went to a local Apple Store for help today but was turned down since Apple now only accepts repair request by making appointment online due to the pandemic. Guess I'll just have to wait for my appointment tomorrow.

A bit of update here: Went to a local Apple store here, probably took an hour and half for the Genius to diagnose the issue, they told me that this is the first time they see a problem like this. Ran bunch of checks still couldn't figure the problem. They offer me a motherboard a replacement and report to Apple regardless of my choice. I decided to hold off and immediately ordered the BT 2.0 dongle from Amazon US that you guys mentioned above and see if it can fix the issue. Can anyone confirm the 'solution' still work in Catalina 10.15.6? I see Apple released another supplemental Update again today but this issue STILL isn't addressed in the update log.

I'm afraid that Apple might have ignored this issue since this thread is marked as 'solved'. Apple you need to fix this asap!

kelvin_hk_uk wrote:

I'm afraid that Apple might have ignored this issue since this thread is marked as 'solved'.

Apple Engineering does not comment on any discussions here. However, they may read these.

Apple you need to fix this asap!

Use https://feedbackassistant.apple.com or Product Feedback - Apple.

Hi Gordon

The chipset can be identified in the "SystemInformation Tab" / USB Details. See attached screenshot.

In the example, you can see the BCM2045A chipset. The spec of this chipset clearly states, that it is BT2.1.

Some more details about chipsets:

If switching behaviour is set to always, then:

• With a CSR8510 A10 chipset, I can repeatedly "crash" the internal bluetooth.
• Then, with a BCM2045A chipset, I can always fix it.

Boris

I firstly thought it wasn't working as well and made another reservation at Genius Bar. But a day later, after a restart I noticed the SideCar icon was back and my Airpods Pro appeared in the sound preference menu. Apple really should have fixed this long ago. Having its customers going through hoops for plugging in a BT dongle to a >$23K laptop is simply horrendous.

So, I've figured out, that this may potentially be caused by internal components being connected by Bluetooth. I've had a hunch for a while, but I confirmed it while working in Windows using Boot Camp. The Bluetooth indicator showed the internal microphone connected by bluetooth. The keyboard and trackpad may be as well. I've wondered about this for a while, as again, I have had issues and clues like you.

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.

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. 🙂

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 ;)

Thank you poxin. I followed in your footsteps and it worked. If this success lasts, I will be very happy. The key is getting the correct adapter, without which the procedures are frustrating and seemingly useless.

Is there a Broadcom pattern?

One BT5.0 with Broadcom on the MacBook Pro 16".

One BT 4.0 dongle with Cambridge Silicon Radio broke my MacBook.

That one and another BT 4.0 dongle with Cambridge Silicon Radio did not work with all my devices.

Two BT 2.0 dongles with Cambridge Silicon Radio did not fix the original problem.

One BT 2.0 dongle with Broadcom fixed the problem.

I wonder if Cambridge Silicon Radio is better at breaking (a dongle broke my Mac), incomplete at functioning (two dongles and ineffective at fixing (two dongles were useless), and Broadcom is better at fixing the Broadcom Mac. That's my experience after owning 5 dongles.

Oh apologies, I did not notice those two extra pairs of 0s! It follows the same pattern as on my system.

I compared the your values to mine, they differ a little bit:

bluetoothActiveControllerInfo	%96%00%ac%05%00%00%00%00%00%00%f8%ff%c2;%18%df
bluetoothInternalControllerInfo	%96%00%ac%05%00%00%00%00%f8%ff%c2;%18%df

If you feel particularly adventurous, you could try mine. But be warned, I have no idea what these values mean, so do it at your own risk!

the Hideez adapter killed my internal Bluetooth. I bought this 2.0 adapter for $3 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Adapter-USB-2-0-1-0-For-Keyboard-Mouse-For-Bluetooth-V2-0-EDR-Receiver-/143337681457?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292 and I tried the magic steps but it didn’t fix the problem. I took it to Apple and they have sent it away. I will update when I get it back. I’d really like them to fix the problem so I can use the adapter to switch between computers.

Using Catalina 10.15.3 (19D76).

I think the issue happened when I used the bluetooth module with an external thunderbolt usb hub...

My bluetooth dongle is based on csr8510 a10 chipset.

Same problem here! The moment I plugged in a CSR 4.0 BT adapter, my internal Bluetooth module died - tried everything as well complete new install - going to send it back to Apple now - horrible!