Bluetooth pairing between iPhone and Mac Mini M1 "not supported"

What you are saying makes little sense. Why would Apple continue to "appear" to offer bluetooth connectivity between my new iPhone and my new MacBook, recognize each other, proceed with Pairing, then immediately upon pairing disconnect, with an error message saying they're incompatible?

I agree it makes no sense at all. Since both your devices are mobile why not take them into your local apple store and ask them to explain WTF. If you get it sorted do please let everyone know. I still believe it is simply not meant to work at all any longer. It will be interesting to know the exact situation. Cheers

I do have an explanation, entirely imaginary, but carefully observed from my own coding experience:

A senior software dev has put their foot down, disabling the bluetooth module and making functionality with some private class code instead of the mess from international teams. They pulled rank.

Now there’s no security issue left in the hands of junior coders. There’s no public list of connected devices for hackers to target, but it manages when software asks to use bluetooth, privately within the OS.

there wasn’t time (nor will to humiliate teams of more junior coders) to get the bluetooth module interface fixed for whatever release, so it’s just hanging there still while Apple get around to letting at least one manager go.

Only then can the bluetooth module be replaced by some interface that DOES interact with real underlying code, safely, and hopefully maintainable.

Though it isn't consistent, I have had some luck. Initiating a transfer from the Mac to the iPhone before doing the opposite works about 75% of the time, so far:

Turn on Bluetooth on the iPhone.

Transfer one photo from the Mac to the iPhone.

If successful, I can then transfer as many photos from the iPhone to the Mac as I wish during that session.

This only works for a limited time, though. If I attempt more transfers the next day, it may or may not work. If it doesn't, I can just try the next day and then quite often it will work. I have not found a consistent pattern thus far.

So I would go out on a limb and say this issue has been beaten to a pulp. To date, and since my last post from a while ago and 2 IOS updates, my Intel Mac Mini still does not see my iPhone 12 as a viable BT device. Prior to Monterey it was no problem.

But I can say, I am able to use my phone as desired without this BT connectivity. Essentially I'm on my Mac for a good part of the day, and I use my headset connected to my Mac to make and take phone calls using my iPhone. And it's working just fine without BT. I can use my phone "through" my Mac, and I can Airdrop stuff too.

And yes, this has nothing at all to do with iCloud.

Unfortunately my airdrop just will not work - I've tried every suggestion in this thread, but it refuses to work. I don't care it if uses BT or not, but not having airdrop for me is a real nuisance with no workaround and that's not good enough. My iPhone works with my old laptop, but not the latest greatest M1 Pro running the latest OS Monterey and latest iOS on the phone.

Still not happy about that.

I lost home Wi-Fi yesterday. No big deal I’ll just use my iPhone as a hot spot.

Nope, no worky. Connects for a second then disconnects just like the Bluetooth. Didn’t work through Tuan either.

I was able to connect on my old MacBook 11”.

So disappointing.

I too need this problem addressed to be able to use a hotspot with Iphone Pro Max 12 and M1 Macbook Pro. Not having a hotspot feature is unacceptable and unworkable for me. Apple, this feels like a microsoft problem; it is wildly frustrating and breaks the whole ecosystem for me.

This is a curious problem as my apple iPhone X hotspot works fine with brand new M1 Pro Laptop, however I can't get airdrop to work between them, whereas many others say that airdrop works for them, even though they can't pair their devices (I can't pair mine either). I find it hard to believe that any of these problems exist as this technology has been around for years - none of it is new. Very frustrating for everyone concerned and definitely not good enough. We buy new equipment to stay up to date, work faster and achieve more in less time. These issues negate the benefits of new, faster machines as we are wasting time resolving problems. Get your game on, Apple and get the basics right - this issue won't just go away - you need to fix it NOW.

Same issue for me as well since upgrading to iOS 15.4 and Monterey 12.3. Have two iPhones, a 6s and a new SE (3rd gen) both on iOS 15.4. All devices can see each other, but fail to pair. Just tried to connect a 2nd gen SE to the 3rd gen SE and note they will not pair with each other either, so looks like it might be a an issue with iOS 15.4. The Mini has no trouble pairing with keyboard or headset since the upgrade.

Will head over to iPhone community to see what's being discussed there about this issue.

I too, have the same issue with BT not connecting to my iPhone 12pro. to my MacBook Pro with M1Max chip. This has been an ongoing issue for quite sometime. For a moment it was corrected and now it's acting up again. If anyone has any solid advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

As for the other people who are having issues connecting with Airdrop. I've figured out, if my VPN is operating, airdrop won't work. I have to turn off my VPN in order for Airdrop to operate. Try that and see if that helps you. Though, I don't understand why it doesn't operate because the whole point of having a VPN is so people can't recognize your IP and location. If Apple is forcing you to turn off your VPN it defeats the purpose of having it and being secured. People can save a lot of money buying a cheap Windows' based computer and deal with the same risk. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Not a vpn issue for me.

I got a call today and it rang on my Mac Mini. I could answer it, but could not talk or hear.

I don’t think my next phone, laptop, desk top or tablet will be Apple products.

This isn’t the first basic function glitch I’ve had over the years. My 11” MacBook Air used to constantly drop Wi-Fi connections. It is now the most functional Apple device I own.

Very tired of paying a premium for substandard performance.

I bought this new macbook air (monterey OS) 3 days back (replaced a macbook pro - 2012). Now trying to connect via bluetooth with my iphone, but it's just not happening. Iphone displays the message that macbook air is not supported despite receiving the pairing codes.

Read all the posts here and tried a few things, but i can't figure why this pairing just isn't happening and why isn't anyone from Apple responding with a clear solution to this essential feature which we take for granted.

amitabhs wrote:

I bought this new macbook air (monterey OS) 3 days back (replaced a macbook pro - 2012). Now trying to connect via bluetooth with my iphone, but it's just not happening. Iphone displays the message that macbook air is not supported despite receiving the pairing codes.

What are you hoping to accomplish by pairing the two? The only thing I can think of that you can do over BT is using the Personal Hotspot. I admit I've never really used that as doing it over WiFi is much simpler.

Read all the posts here and tried a few things, but i can't figure why this pairing just isn't happening and why isn't anyone from Apple responding with a clear solution to this essential feature which we take for granted.

The reason no one from Apple responds here is that this is a user-to-user technical support forum. If you want to discuss this with Apple, you'll need to use the "Get Support" link at the top right of every page of these forums.

I was struggling with this issue and it was resolved with an update. Simple windows into why I’m no longer active on this thread. Cannot say what “magic” occurred between them and now (a couple months back).