Cant connect my Macbook Pro 16" to my iphone 7 plus using bluetooth

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john120165 Author

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Cant connect my Macbook Pro 16" to my iphone 7 plus using bluetooth

Cant connect my Macbook Pro 16" to my iphone 7 plus using bluetooth, i just get a message saying unsupported device and I cant use bluetooth as a hotspot.

However it was working a couple of time displaying the pairing code on each device, not it seems to connect then drops pairing.

I can connect via wifi and use it as a hotspot but shouldnt bluetooth work as well.

Both devices are up to date as far as software and both not on any beta profiles.

Ma on 12.0.1 Monterey and IOS on 15.1

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Nov 29, 2021 10:59 AM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

Level 10

216,692 points

Nov 29, 2021 11:17 AM in response to john120165

You cannot pair Apple devices over bluetooth directly in most cases.

If you wish to connect them for personal hotspot over bluetooth, turn on personal hotspot first, then go to the Bluetooth settings screen on the iPhone, and stay there.

Then look for your iPhone in the Bluetooth settings screen on your Mac.

Link-> How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

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Nov 29, 2021 12:34 PM in response to john120165

You don't need to "pair" them in the traditional sense. So long as bluetooth is enabled on both and they are both signed in with the same iCloud account, once you turn the hotspot feature on on the phone, the Mac should see it in the network dropdown.

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Answer 3

Phil0124

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Nov 29, 2021 12:49 PM in response to KiltedTim

Just tried it on my iPhone 11 and Big Sur MBA and can confirm it does not work over bluetooth directly for some reason.

That used to be the only thing they could be paired for directly. Apple has never allowed a direct bluetooth pairing between iOS devices and computers be them Macs or PCs.

However, as long as it appears on the Network list and you can connect to it through there you are fine. It can be used outside when away from your home or office Wi-fi.

It just uses the Wi-Fi network card on both devices to establish the connection and works through there but does not actually use an established Wi-Fi network if that is your main issue with it. It uses what is refereed to normally as a Peer to Peer Wi-Fi connection.

Also, using the Wi-Fi option will always be faster than bluetooth. So not sure why you need not to be Bluetooth.

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Answer 4

lllaass

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Nov 29, 2021 1:11 PM in response to john120165

Monterey has caused bluetooth problems for some users after upgrading to Monterey. Maybe that is the cause of your problem.

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Answer 5

Old Toad

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Nov 29, 2021 1:40 PM in response to john120165

Only WiFi is supported.

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Answer 6

john120165 Author

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Nov 29, 2021 12:27 PM in response to lllaass

I'd like to be able to use my macbook while out of the house and on the move, apologies I thought that was obvious. I can use wifi to accomplish this and could do it with my Mac mini when on holiday. Perhaops its just not possible I did contact apple help and they recommended removing beta profile from my iphoen which Ive done and reset it but still no working.

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Answer 7

john120165 Author

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Nov 29, 2021 1:15 PM in response to lllaass

Sometimes I lose faith in my favourite brand and company when all they have to do is get two devices to communicate successfully yet Musk can land on the Moon (so he says).

Apple stuff should be simple and thats me after supporting windows in a corporate environment for the last 30 years where windows and hardware was mince

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Answer 8

Old Toad

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Nov 29, 2021 1:32 PM in response to john120165

No matter what you think should be possible the fact is Macs and iPhones were not designed to connect via bluetooth.

You mentioned using that while traveling: bluetooth only is good to generally about 20-30 feet so that's not in the cards even if you could pair them.

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Answer 9

john120165 Author

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Nov 29, 2021 1:38 PM in response to Old Toad

But from 6 inches away....and it did work intermittently, kinda feels like bad software. Couple of times I got a pairing code, sometimes nothing, other times it would connect work then drop. For a £3000 machine I'd like consistency and an answer from support community is great but official Apple support was less than stellar.

Works or doesnt via bluetooth that is the question, or is it only wifi thats supported?

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Answer 10

john120165 Author

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Nov 29, 2021 11:26 AM in response to Phil0124

Then I get the pairing unsuccessful, macbook pro is unsupported.

I can connect my mouse of the bluetooth on the TV bed upstairs

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Answer 11

lllaass

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Nov 29, 2021 12:23 PM in response to john120165

What are you trying to accomplish by pairing Mac with a phone?

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Answer 12

john120165 Author

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Nov 29, 2021 12:35 PM in response to KiltedTim

Hi yes it does but wont connect, I end up using wifi

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Answer 13

KiltedTim

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Nov 29, 2021 12:42 PM in response to john120165

What happens when you try to connect to it?

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Answer 14

john120165 Author

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Nov 29, 2021 12:45 PM in response to KiltedTim

Then I get the pairing unsuccessful, macbook pro is unsupported message, I can connect via wifi but it just annoys me that two apple devices cant connect via bluetooth

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Answer 15

john120165 Author

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Nov 29, 2021 12:52 PM in response to Phil0124

If its wifi only thats fine, just thought it funny that my son can connect his phone or ipad to my phone and use the bluethooth connection but I cant connect my MacBook

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Cant connect my Macbook Pro 16" to my iphone 7 plus using bluetooth

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