Cannot pair bluetooth - iPhone to Macbook Air

I see that there are longstanding problems in pairing bluetooth devices. This one has only just happened for me. It has been working till now.


Using Bluetooth options on Macbook Air (M1, running Mac OS 12.0.1) to pair with my iPhone (Xs running iOS 15.1). I keep getting this message -- "Pairing Unsuccessful. 'Macbook Air' is not supported." -- even though I've tried almost all of the options on various websites but nothing solves the problem.


Has there been any workable solution to this?

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Nov 23, 2021 10:16 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 11, 2022 6:46 AM

This is a very long thread, so it’s sort of understandable that you didn’t read it before posting, even though the answer appears in it many times. But to summarize:


Apple devices do not support or require computer to computer or smart device to computer Bluetooth pairing. This is intentional. They do not require it because all data sharing functions are available without pairing, including continuity functions, data sync functions, backups, data transfer using AirDrop. Some of these functions (e.g., AirDrop) use BlueTooth Low Energy (BLE, once called Bluetooth 4 before 5 and 6 were released). BLE is an app-to-app protocol rather than device to device, and it does not require pairing. The do not support it because it is a potential security vulnerability.


But even though your phone and computer can’t connect using paired Bluetooth that does not limit their use for data sharing in any way.


The one thing that you can use BT for is using the phone’s personal hotspot as a “modem” for the computer. But even then you are better off using the Personal Hotspot to create a Wi-Fi network that multiple devices can connect. BT is severely speed limited. Using the Personal Hotspot as a Wi-Fi router has given me up to 500 mbps when my iPhone 16 is connected to a 5Guc network.

167 replies

Jun 22, 2023 1:01 PM in response to Ray Green

Ray Green wrote:

I have tried everything to connect my iPhone with my MacBook Air, all updated. Nothing.

For what purpose are you trying to connect the two? If you could explain what, exactly you're trying to accomplish, perhaps someone could give you further suggestions.

What on earth are you doing Apple??? Do you ever listen to your customers?

Well, they certainly don't here in this user-to-user forum.


Aug 8, 2023 10:24 AM in response to s_gfb

Various software vendors provide solutions to allow you to screen mirror and remote control an iPhone. You need to pair the iPhone to the computer such that the computer is used as a bluetooth keyboard and mouse.


This works perfectly with a PC (Dell 7590), but does not work with a Mac Book Pro.


So, there are use cases that require the paring of a iPhone to a Mac.

Aug 20, 2023 8:10 AM in response to s_gfb

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.

Aug 21, 2023 3:43 AM in response to John Galloway

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.

Dec 7, 2023 11:59 AM in response to TheHadouJHyrule

TheHadouJHyrule wrote:

OK, something is wrong with the programming of the reply sorting of threads because I just posted the same thing three times in a row thinking they all disappeared.

That's a known issue. Right now, after you reply, refresh the page. It should be sorted properly. Also, make sure that you have things sorted the way you want. At the top of the page, just under the original post on the right, is the sorting drop down.

May 25, 2024 10:09 AM in response to pascale179

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.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Cannot pair bluetooth - iPhone to Macbook Air

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