Mac OS Catalina keeps disconnecting bluetooth devices

I'm completely floored that this is still an issue. I just FINALLY got approval from our IT to "upgrade" to Catalina after using this computer for the last year on Mojave. This update has removed my ability to use the Dell hub I had used previously (no way to update firmware from Mac) and my MX Master 3 drops connection constantly. Looking around, this is not an uncommon issue... so why is it still broken? Has ANYONE made a change that resolved this for them?

I have been suffering from the same problem for many months. Of one thing I am sure: it might be somehow correlated with WiFi, but it is definitely not caused by it. My iMac 27" WiFi is always OFF, since my home network is on Ethernet.

Nope - no fixes.

Six-month old iMac Pro and it happens a couple of times a day on the latest release of Catalina. WiFi is off and the OS has been completely reinstalled since I got the machine.

I use a Microsoft Bluetooth mouse and Sony headphones, both of which disconnect randomly at the same time then eventually reconnect anything up to a minute later. The fact they both drop at the same time suggests the problem lies with the Mac *NOT* the individual devices. I haven't had any help from Apple, who after making me repeat all the steps I had originally tried, suggested the problems lay with both Microsoft and Sony!

Does anyone experience the same drop-out with Apple Bluetooth devices such as keyboards and mice?

It is now October 2020 - and I updated to Catalina only a week ago - this bug is still going on! None of my bluetooth accessories are working without a glitch where as before they all worked fine.

I am going to Twitter to complain.

Same here. MacBook Pro circa 2015. Catalina 10.15.7

Microsoft Sculpt Mouse connects and disconnects for the first 5-10 minutes when I first login. Then seems to work okay.

I have a cheap set of MPOW bluetooth headphones that I've been using for at least a year. Never any issues with it though, which is odd given all the other device reports on this thread.

Yes, same problem with the Zoom meeting. It was the first time I read about the debug options, but it didn't change anything.

Some people were writing about 10-20 disconnects per day.... my devices lose connection every 20 seconds.

In my case this is my work-provided laptop so I'm stuck with my temporary workaround that doesn't involve new account setup. I hope Apple can fix this. Apple has historically had bad Bluetooth support; I thought after 12 years they would have learned a few tricks.

I have this same problem with my logitech mouse with a brand new iMac, just received a week ago. Every single time the machine goes to sleep, it has a hard time finding the mouse. It is maddening.

Meanwhile my old machine from 2013 is just fine with the same mouse.

2021 and we still don't have this problem fixed :( I'm working on a brand new MacBook Pro 16, Catalyna 15.7, and my Harman Kordon SoundStick speakers disconnects from the bluetooth all the time. No solution from the previous posts works. It is so annoying :(

Yep I am suffering a similar problem in February 2021 - mouse randomly disconnects for a few seconds then reconnects - weird as this has only manifested itself as a problem in the last couple of weeks - currently on Catalina 10.15.7

pain in the ***

Ever since the Catalina upgrade, I've had problems with Bluetooth disconnecting repeatedly and coming back. I've also experienced my Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 randomly stop working for no discernible reason. I've asked Apple and unlike issues I used to have, they didn't have an answer and sent me to someone else who gave me some lame suggestions. I went to the store hat is 10 miles from where I live. I had to make an appointment and when I came back they kept telling me the problems I'm having is due to the age of my iMac 2017. I asked them if I purchased a 2019 model would it make any difference. They wouldn't respond because it's only 2020. Someone said that I should be running Big Sur. Well, that's a switch! Only months before, I was told NOT to switch to MacOS 11 (Big Sur) because of all. the problems they were having. They responded that they are working on those problems now and could better assist me! I don't believe anyone at the Genius Bar had anything newer than a 2019 Mac.

Up until 6 years ago, I was running Apple Mac and Microsoft Windows and decided that I could get better performance if I migrate to an all-Apple environment. I persevered with the cost by buying on credit and skipping meals and making other budget cuts to pay my credit cards. Even bought a used MacBook Pro that is fully loaded because I could never afford it otherwise. I purchased an iPhone and in the process of upgrading to the iPhone 12 ProMax that is on my desk but I'm beginning to wonder if I should return it and return to Windows. Just about everyone I know is switching to Windows because they can't afford to upgrade to the new M1 technology and neither can I. If Apple is not going to be honoring their commitments to the Mac Architecture I have now, then the equipment I have is worth less that Windows. As a matter of fact, all pre-M1 Macs will soon be totally worthless. Apple might be leaping forward with their new inventory, but they are leaving the last thing they have that's reliable: their loyal customers. If I had even just a clue that this day was coming, I would have gravitated to Windows.

A friend of mine who was upgrading to Big Sur last night, called to inform me just how that after staying awake all night to perform the upgrade, he cannot get any of his problems resolved.

Brand new iMac, new mouse and headphones - constant Bluetooth connection problems all day long. So frustrating when trying to work. What happened to easy to use? A better question: What is ANYONE doing to fix this?

And do I upgrade to Big Sur or does that make it worse?

I have a similar issue.

I'm on MacBook Pro Early 2015, Big Sur 11.2.1.

I have an Apple Magic Mouse and some BT headphones (from different brands).

The bluetooth devices work good and the connection is strong in every situation except when I start to use the MIC of headphones.

If I start a call (skype, meet, teams, zoom, ...) after few seconds (sometimes after few minutes) all bluetooth devices are disconnecting.

I tried different headphones from different brands...

I tried SMC reset, NVRAM reset, Bluetooth reset...

I removed all Bluetooth preference list (.plist) files...

but I have the same problem.

DavideR3da wrote:

I have a similar issue.

I'm on MacBook Pro Early 2015, Big Sur 11.2.1.

I have an Apple Magic Mouse and some BT headphones (from different brands).

The bluetooth devices work good and the connection is strong in every situation except when I start to use the MIC of headphones.

If I start a call (skype, meet, teams, zoom, ...) after few seconds (sometimes after few minutes) all bluetooth devices are disconnecting.

I tried different headphones from different brands...

I tried SMC reset, NVRAM reset, Bluetooth reset...

I removed all Bluetooth preference list (.plist) files...

but I have the same problem.

I have the same problem on Catalina (MBA 2018). BT headset works fine when used just as headphones. Once I use the mic and the codec switches from AAC to (I think) SCO, the problems start. Sometimes the headset stays connected for the first call but disconnect thereafter. Sometimes it disconnects in a couple of secs. Sometimes turning the headset off and on again helps, sometimes not.

This is still an issue in Big Sur. No permanent fix anywhere to be found on the internet.

Don't waste your time with Apple support. They will have you reset everything and go as far as to have you reinstall the OS, but the issue still persists.

#AppleCoreRot