Mac OS Catalina keeps disconnecting bluetooth devices

My 2018 Mac mini is connected to ethernet also and wifi is turned off. This problem just started happening in the last day or so. I'm also running Big Sur 11.0.1. I had to hook up a USB keyboard just to post this. My Apple BT keyboard, mouse, and trackpad are all having this issue. HAS ANYONE FOUND A FIX??

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.

Information from another user with a similar use case:

I use non-apple bluetooth keyboard, apple magic mouse, and non-apple bluetooth headphones. During regular use they work flawlessly. Occasionally, either the keyboard or the mouse start tracking really slowly to the point of feeling like they aren't responding at all. Sometimes the effect occurs during a Zoom meeting. Other times I could be just using my computer regularly.

I have performed all the SHIFT+OPTION+Click the Bluetooth icon > Debug options several times.

Instead, I resort to keeping a wired mouse, keyboard, and headphones at my desk in the event one of the devices loses connection.

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

Hi, MacBook Pro 15" 2015 using Big Sur 11.2.3 and having the same issues.

I recently got Audio Technica ATH--ANC500BT and everything seems fine until I go to the sound preferences in settings. There everything freezes up for a solid 30 seconds then disconnects my headphones.

I have been unable to get the mic on the headphones working through my MacBook (they work on other devices) and I get a really loud static sound when something is playing and the audio output goes to 0. These issues only happen on my MacBook, and have tried next to everything to get it working. Really frustrated right now...

This can maybe help in some specific situations. But it doesn't solve the problem of BT headset disconnecting when switching from pure audio playback (AAC etc codec) to playback+mic (SCO etc codec) and back.