You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Mac OS Catalina keeps disconnecting bluetooth devices

Hi, I am using MacBook Pro Late 2016 model and Mac OS Catalin 10.15.2.


After the update to Mac OS Catalina, my bluetooth devices - Bose speakers, headphones, mouse keep disconnecting randomly. Even if they are connected, Mac OS is not able to find their audio output and delivers a very low sound.


As per few articles on the Internet, I have tried deleting the  /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist and resetting PRAM but nothing helped. Please provide a reliable and valid solution for this issue.


PS: I have tested my bluetooth devices with other laptops / phone and they work perfectly fine.


Thanks!


MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 30, 2020 10:29 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 27, 2021 3:50 PM

I was having the same problem, until I read a solution related to delete the Bluetooth plist entry. Did that, and Bluetooth didn't work anymore. Until last night. I watched a video on Youtube and the solution shown didn't work, but I figured it out by myself.

  1. Go to the following page...https://developer.apple.com/download/more/
  2. Search "Additional Tools"
  3. Download version 11.4, and install
  4. Open "Hardware" folder, and execute Bluetooth Explorer. A Bluetooth icon is shown on Apps Bar. Click there to open the App.
  5. Under the "Tools" menu select "Modify Software & Device Configuration
  6. On the "Setup (Auto BTSA)" square, click on "Go". The computer will restart, and Bluetooth will be Active again, and no more disconnecting problems.

Similar questions

120 replies

Apr 28, 2021 5:03 AM in response to Poporrico

Poporrico, thank you for posting this solution, I followed the sequence first thing today and so far so good - the magic mouse seems to be maintaining connectivity continuously - fingers crossed.


I was getting so annoyed with the disconnection that I was thinking of completely reinstalling the operating system from scratch and then reinstalling my applications from source and data from iCloud - done it once before so not that difficult except for the photos that took an age (two days) to upload (as I like to have a full copy on my MAC)


After that I guess it would be contemplating upgrading to a new MAC - (might do that anyway as not that keen on the new look MAC)

May 1, 2021 4:52 AM in response to jiri209

jiri209 wrote:

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.

Btw I finally managed to update to Big Sur from Catalina and it seems that this particular problem has been solved. My BT headset no longer disconnects when switching modes (codecs). Hopefully it won't stop working in the near future...

May 5, 2021 12:56 PM in response to jayant_varshney

Hi,


Sound like the problem I have with my iMac Pro which randomly, simultaneously disconnects all Bluetooth devices and then thirty seconds or so later reconnects them. This happens on a range of Bluetooth devices including keyboards, mice and headphones from different vendors. I've worked through all the resetting of the Bluetooth module, creating a new user account, reinstalling macOS; creating a new boot partition. Last week, AppleCare arranged for the machine to be collected and a complete new motherboard was put in.


It's still happening.


Not sure there is very much in the iMac Pro that isn't on the motherboard, so either I have been very unlucky and got another machine with a dodgy Bluetooth module, or the problem lies in software.


Apple Support are on the case - but so far no explanation of what is going on.


I recommend people get in touch with them and file a report explaining all the steps they've done. I'd also recommend catching as much data as possible by running the Console application, clicking the Start button and then entering Bluetooth in the Search field - this will only show messages relating to the Bluetooth functionality. On my machine I get a host of errors when Bluetooth falls over that the machine is unable to send data packets. You can then use Copy and Paste to share this information with Apple who will provide an upload link for information when you file a case.


So annoying...

Mac OS Catalina keeps disconnecting bluetooth devices

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.