Mac Mini m1 bluetooth problems

in summary, i would say, where are two causes:

1) Big Sur

Older mac operating systems have a "searching routing" in case of missing keyboard or mouse on startup - Big Sur, apparently not. To solve that , on new Big Sur systems we can connect the keyboard/mouse with the charging usb cable - the keyboard/mouse will recognized.

In case of migration from a older Mac, the system seems to install the older keyboard/mouse profile. That could leads to spontaneous BLE disconnect. Delete the plists or "option + shift key + click on bluetooth --> delete external BLE devices--> restart" solve that.

2) mac mini hardware

The mac mini has a fabulous low power consumption, but in that way, allow just a low power consumption on external interfaces.

I attached my monitor (LG Ultrafine) with Thunderbolt and expand the second mac mini port with a external USB-C hub to attach 4 external USB-C devices. That configuration leads into spontaneously Bluetooth drops and other issues in conjunction with external devices or communication.

The LG Ultrafine monitor have a own Thunderbolt and USB-C controller with own power supply. Using these USB-C ports and attach the USB-C hub here, bluetooth connections are stable, no other issues more. That could mean, that the ports on the mac mini have not enough power to support a larger number of USB-C devices, without extra power supply for the external USB-C hubs.

MartinHaitch wrote:

Was thinking of buying a M1 Pro laptop, not beta testing that too.....

Well stated!

Let's see, the M1 has lots of external monitor issues, plus you can't boot from an external hard drive, and now this bluetooth issue. What has happened to Apple? I've been buying Macs all my life, but I'm sooooo disappointed in this M1.

If I wanted a problem laden computer, I would have bought a windows machine.

I got my replacement M1 Mac mini today. My bluetooth issue of mouse disconnect/reconnect/disconnect happened again within an hour of use.

I had been using the same mouse for the past week+ with my intel-based MacBook Pro and I didn't have a single problem. Both systems are on the same OS (11.1). I just replied to my AppleCare advisor's email with the news that a new Mac didn't fix the issue. Lets see what's next.

Honestly, I would be completely satisfied if they would say "we have this documented as a bug, ID #..... . It will be fixed in a future software release." That would make me happy, and I'd have no problem waiting on the update. But instead, we're all here getting mixed messages from Apple - some acknowledging the issue, others not.

kmerenda wrote:

Honestly, I would be completely satisfied if they would say "we have this documented as a bug, ID #..... . It will be fixed in a future software release." That would make me happy, and I'd have no problem waiting on the update. But instead, we're all here getting mixed messages from Apple - some acknowledging the issue, others not.

I agree. I think the way in which Apple is handling this is like pouring salt on a wound.

I just experienced the bluetooth issues on my M1 MacMini yesterday. My mouse and keyboard drop connection. Also every time I click on Airdrop on my Mac mini the bluetooth connection immediately drops for my mouse and keyboard and I can no longer use either device.

In case of migration from a older Mac, the system seems to install the older keyboard/mouse profile. That could leads to spontaneous BLE disconnect. Delete the plists or "option + shift key + click on bluetooth --> delete external BLE devices--> restart" solve that.

Make sure you have a wired or usb wireless (i.e.; Logitech Transceiver) before doing this or you will be unable to restart properly since the mouse is no longer connected.

I did some research on this issue. The current conjecture is that disabling Wi-Fi seems to minimize or entirely disable the errant bluetooth behavior. Of course, this only helps if you have an active ethernet connection.

I can confirm this doesn't solve the issue. I tried turning Wifi off entirely and running on ethernet only. My bluetooth wireless mouse and keyboard became disabled again after about an hour of using my Mac.

Well, it took 4 days, but the problems are back after my full reset of BT.

The main issue is very infuriating as obviously, the Bluetooth connection is working at the instant of wake from sleep, but not immediately afterwards.

When the Mac mini is in sleep mode, a press on a keyboard key will wake the system up and prompt for a password. But now, the keyboard has already lost it's connection, so I cannot type it in. Absolutely maddening! It then takes around 20 to 30 seconds of waiting, whilst the system finds all of its BT ducks again and herds them back into a row, before I can gain access!

I don't believe it is a Bug Sur Issue as I had 11.01 running on my previous intel Mac mini prior to upgrade and the only system component to change was to the Mac mini M1.

Mac mini M1

Magic Keyboard (Black)

Magic Mouse (Black)

macOS 11.1

Hi

yes I understand but until it is proved to them they deny.

I bought from appleand LG 24 4K MD Monitor.

The first went Blank after 2 hour There is a link how to Fix

the second line of dead pixels after 2weeks Sent Screenshot Picture

Third is still working.

No quibble exchange of Monitors,

Phoned LG we will repair no I have paid £625.00

I tried Dell the safari does not stay in screen make picture big disappears

I finally switched to a wired network connection and turned off wifi on my Mini M1. The bluetooth problems haven't reoccurred since and my Magic Mouse stays connected.

Not an acceptable solution, of course.

Not so sure it is...

With mine, the bluetooth is obviously on, otherwise I would not be able to wake it up from sleep.

But it is immediately disconnected the instant it wakes up.

It would also be unlikely to explain the random disconnects whilst actually being used. That sounds more like a firmware or interrupt issue, or RF interference from another source.

OK. Just got finished with Official Apple Support and have a ticket open.

My issue was totally repeatable: I could wake the Mac from sleep with a BT Keyboard key press, but then could not enter the password because the keyboard and mouse were now immediately disconnected.

Apple Support got me to start up the Mac in SAFE mode and test to see if the issue was still present.

It was not. Everything seems to be OK after multiple tries to recreate the problem.

Apple Support then recommended that I reinstall MAC OS, as the indication of working in safe mode meant that it was possible that some error in configuration, or installation files that were corrupted, or one of many other things that a reinstall would likely be able to correct.

Anyway, 90 minutes later and I am now reinstalled with a fresh installation of Mac OS 11.1 and...

At the moment anyway, my problem has gone.

Now of course, I will keep a check to see if all other issues have gone, or indeed, if any issues return.

At the very least, Apple Support have another report of Bluetooth Connectivity issues and I can always go back and resurrect it, should issues remain.

Hello David

than you for confirming that I have the Mac Mini 2018 I had the same issues. Go to sign in password nowt happens connect with cable yes it works, mine I found that I was not connected to Apple UK keyboard.

You have to return in 14 days from date of Purchase. If purchased on line it is from the date you received.

Just finished my call with Apple.

They had me remove a bunch of old plist and other files they found in the data and update one program. We'll see what happens now. Have a check in on Wednesday if nothing acts up between now and then. Fingers crossed.