Cannot pair bluetooth - iPhone to Macbook Air

What I want to do is download photos/video from an iPhone 13 to my MacBookPro over bluetooth. Both running the latest sw. The iPhone sees the MacBook but when I try to pair I get the message everyone here is posting (failure, not supported). The iPhone will be in an underwater housing so the connector is not available without some effort, which is why I want to be able to do this. But so far just having the iPhone sitting (no housing) next to the mac it does not work.

What I did not realize is that photos sent from the iPhone to my Mac via airdrop do NOT appear in the photos app on the mac but just are in the Downloads folder. That send does not require the bluetooth attach.

Perhaps you could point to the post in this thread that mentions that uploaded photos via bluetooth/aidDrop do NOT appear in the mac photo app (as they would if up transferred with a cable where the camera appears in the iPhoto app) but only in the download folder?

John Galloway wrote:

Perhaps you could point to the post in this thread that mentions that uploaded photos via bluetooth/aidDrop do NOT appear in the mac photo app (as they would if up transferred with a cable where the camera appears in the iPhoto app) but only in the download folder?

That is not the topic of this discussion thread.

The topic of this thread is pairing an iPhone and a Mac via bluetooth, which is not possible or necessary.

Your question is unrelated to this discussion.

John Galloway wrote:

Perhaps you could point to the post in this thread that mentions that uploaded photos via bluetooth/aidDrop do NOT appear in the mac photo app (as they would if up transferred with a cable where the camera appears in the iPhoto app) but only in the download folder?

Airdrop does not transfer photos over Bluetooth. It transfers them over WiFi. Bluetooth is only used for the devices to find each other. As your question is only tangentially related to this thread, you might be better off starting a new post, explaining what you're trying to do Perhaps try posting in the Photos forum.

I'm not sure why you posted a link to another thread as you didn't include an explanation. But, if your intent was to suggest that I answer your other post, sorry, don't have an answer. I use iCloud almost exclusively for syncing photos.

alisonfromarbroath wrote:

My new iPhone 14 is not recognising MacBook & I have tried all the different ways suggested with no success

Did you read any of this thread? It has been explained that you cannot pair an iPhone to a Mac. So, I don't know what suggestions you're reading.

You can't tether for free on Wi-Fi unless you have a tethering plan, but you can tether using Bluetooth or iPhone USB.

On an iPad, after bringing both devices into pairing mode, with Personal Hotspot on, select the iPhone to begin pairing. Verify that the code on-screen matches the iPhone. If they match, tap pair on each device. This will establish an Ethernet-based Bluetooth PAN whenever you connect. When done, go to Bluetooth in settings, tap the (i) next to the iPhone, and tap Disconnect. This will restore Wi-Fi on your iPhone, which was turned off for tethering. To connect again, select the iPhone on your iPad's screen while Personal Hotspot is turned on.

For a Mac, it's a bit different. You can't use a Bluetooth PAN because the feature was removed in Monterey v12.0.1 To remedy this, you need a connector cable. USB-C to Lightning (if iPhone 14 or older), or USB-C to USB-C (if iPhone 15 or newer). Connect the device, and wait for it to populate in the Network tab in System Settings. Click the (…) at the bottom, and click "Set Service Order". To make the services work correctly, you need to set the order to "iPhone USB" first, then "Thunderbolt Bridge", and finally "Wi-Fi". This is because of a bug that prevents tethering from working unless at the top of the list. Thunderbolt Bridge is there to prioritize Ethernet if a Thunderbolt Dock is connected. And if all else fails, Wi-Fi is a last resort. Once you set this order, your Personal Hotspot will kick in until you disconnect the iPhone, and all you have to do is visit a website like this one to test it out.

And the best part is: If you don't have a tethering plan, most carriers will allow these types of tethering at no additional cost.

Hope this works for you!

You can't tether for free on Wi-Fi unless you have a tethering plan, but you can tether using Bluetooth or iPhone USB.

On an iPad, after bringing both devices into pairing mode, with Personal Hotspot on, select the iPhone to begin pairing. Verify that the code on-screen matches the iPhone. If they match, tap pair on each device. This will establish an Ethernet-based Bluetooth PAN whenever you connect. When done, go to Bluetooth in settings, tap the (i) next to the iPhone, and tap Disconnect. This will restore Wi-Fi on your iPhone, which was turned off for tethering. To connect again, select the iPhone on your iPad's screen while Personal Hotspot is turned on.

For a Mac, it's a bit different. You can't use a Bluetooth PAN because the feature was removed in Monterey v12.0.1 To remedy this, you need a connector cable. USB-C to Lightning (if iPhone 14 or older), or USB-C to USB-C (if iPhone 15 or newer). Connect the device, and wait for it to populate in the Network tab in System Settings. Click the (…) at the bottom, and click "Set Service Order". To make the services work correctly, you need to set the order to "iPhone USB" first, then "Thunderbolt Bridge", and finally "Wi-Fi". This is because of a bug that prevents tethering from working unless "iPhone USB" is at the top of the list. Thunderbolt Bridge is there to prioritize Ethernet if a Thunderbolt Dock is connected. And if all else fails, Wi-Fi is a last resort. Once you set this order, your Personal Hotspot will kick in until you disconnect the iPhone, and all you have to do is visit a website like this one to test it out.

And the best part is: If you don't have a tethering plan, most carriers will allow these types of tethering at no additional cost.

Hope this works for you!

According to what an Apple Advisor told me early this morning, you need to use a wired connection to your iPhone. Additionally, I found out myself it doesn't even work properly unless you set the service priorities in a certain order. These settings can be found by clicking the ellipsis at the bottom of the Network tab in System Settings and then "Set Service Order".

From top to bottom, with an explanation why they must be placed this way, my recommended Serive Order is:

• iPhone USB (must be placed at the top due to some unknown macOS programming bug)

• Thunderbolt Bridge (in case you connect a dock to use an ethernet connection)

• Wi-Fi (to use as a last resort if none of the above is connected)

If you want to use Bluetooth, you may feel free to do so with an iPad. However, it is impossible to tether using Bluetooth using an iPhone and Mac for now. So, unfortunately, a wired connection is the only way to use "Wi-Fi"-less tethering at this time.

Please Note: These Service Order instructions I've provided were performed on a 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro running macOS Sonoma 14.1.2 and should be the same for your MacBook Air.

pascale179 wrote:

I followed the steps to the letter and I systematically get the message: “pairing unsuccessful. MacBook Air not supported”.

So much for apple to apple compatibility!

What are you trying to accomplish by pairing the two devices? If explain what that is, perhaps someone can explain what you need to do. Or just read the other pages of this thread.

Same issue with New iMac 24 inch and iPhone 13 Pro...

same problem with m1 macbook air and Iphone8

Yes, this is expected behaviour. What are you hoping to accomplish with Bluetooth pairing. While Bluetooth is utilized between devices, pairing in the traditional sense is not required.

Yes, it could be… but now I encountered some problems with Airdrop and pasting copied things. Any answer?