Is it really impossible to use a M1 Mac Mini with only bluetooth keyboard and mouse?

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Level 1

4 points

Is it really impossible to use a M1 Mac Mini with only bluetooth keyboard and mouse?

I have run into a problem with my M1 Mac Mini that on first boot, it seems to absolutely require connecting a WIRED USB mouse and keyboard. It cannot recognize a nearby Bluetooth keyboard and mouse that is in pairing mode.

Am I misunderstanding what's going on or is this actually a limitation of the M1 Mac Mini?

I might be able to live with that: borrow a USB mouse and keyboard from someone exactly ONCE upon setting up my M1 Mac Mini for the first time.

However, I'm now finding the additional problem that if I ever REBOOT my M1 Mac Mini even after initial setup, it still demands that I attach a wired mouse and keyboard until I log in, then it suddenly recognizes my previously paired mouse and keyboard. Note: It's impossible to log in without a mouse and keyboard so I'm stuck if I don't have a wired one of each handy.

Am I misunderstanding that as well? Is this limitation intentional or is it considered a bug?

Posted on Apr 23, 2021 10:44 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 23, 2021 1:56 PM in response to stevemadere

I have this issue as well on occasion with my 2018 Mini with the i7. Keyboard is wired but I have an apple trackpad. Sometimes I have to plug in the trackpad after a reboot to be recognized then bluetooth seems to work fine for it after that.

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Answer 2

Apr 23, 2021 2:00 PM in response to stevemadere

Are you using an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse?

If not, what brand and models are you using?

It not Apple compatible devices, there can be an issue on boot pairing

of the Bluetooth devices.

As a note, after any initial setup and pairing of Bluetooth device,

you should never need any wired devices again.

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Answer 3

stevemadere Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2021 8:55 PM in response to woodmeister50

Microsoft Surface Mobile Mouse

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

As I mentioned before, if a new USB device is connected (such as an audio adapter), on the next boot after the USB device driver is installed, the bluetooth devices cannot connect until after login and re-pairing. IDK why, but that's what happens.

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Answer 4

Shichimi

Level 4

3,077 points

Apr 23, 2021 9:26 PM in response to stevemadere

No Bluetooth device can communicate before it is paired. Therefore, you need a "real" keyboard device in order to tell the computer how to accept the pairing request from the Bluetooth device. Pairing is a one-time process, after which the devices should connect with the computer automatically forever into the future.

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Answer 5

Apr 24, 2021 4:25 AM in response to stevemadere

stevemadere wrote:

Microsoft Surface Mobile Mouse

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

As I mentioned before, if a new USB device is connected (such as an audio adapter), on the next boot after the USB device driver is installed, the bluetooth devices cannot connect until after login and re-pairing. IDK why, but that's what happens.

Do these Microsoft devices claim to be Mac compatible?

Reason is that the initial connection procedure on boot is slightly

different between Windows and macOS.

macOS polls for Bluetooth devices that have been paired

with it at boot.

Windows doesn't try to connect to devices until some

"action" is initiated by the device.

Put another way, macOS looks for devices and Windows waits

for a device "request".

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Answer 6

Apr 23, 2021 5:49 PM in response to woodmeister50

For myself yea Apple Magic Trackpad 2.

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Is it really impossible to use a M1 Mac Mini with only bluetooth keyboard and mouse?

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