iPad won't connect to iMac via bluetooth

Question

Level 1

1 points

iPad won't connect to iMac via bluetooth

I've just got an iPad for Xmas and want to connect it to my 27" iMac via bluetooth. The iMac finds the iPad almost immediately but the iPad won't connect to it and just keeps on searching for devices. Can anyone help me with this please?

27' iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.5), 16Gb iPad Wi-Fi 3G ios 4.2.1

Posted on Dec 26, 2010 3:59 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Rudegar

Level 10

170,652 points

Dec 26, 2010 4:05 PM in response to sleeky

what are you trying to do ?

it can't synch over bluetooth
it can't get internet over bluetooth
not sure it can do anything with bluetooth apart from using headsets

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 26, 2010 4:08 PM in response to sleeky

There is a very limited set of devices the iPad Bluetooth profile says you can connect with. Primarily earphones and keyboards. The Mac computers are not part of that list.

Reply

Answer 3

sleeky Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 26, 2010 4:12 PM in response to Rudegar

Hi, Thanks for the quick reply. I was hoping to be able to bluetooth photos over to the iPad instead of having to mess about transferring them into the itunes folder and then having to sync the iPad with my Mac.

Reply

Answer 4

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Dec 26, 2010 4:15 PM in response to sleeky

You don't have to move anything into iTunes because iTunes accesses your iPhoto library.

Reply

Answer 5

sleeky Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 26, 2010 4:31 PM in response to Philly_Phan

I'm a photographer and store my photos in Aperture3. Currently I have about 18Gb of photos stored there and no way would I want all of them transferred to the iPad even if I had enough memory to do so. It means that if I can't bluetooth over the photos I want to put on the iPad, I've got to set up a folder to move them into from Aperture3 and then point itunes to that folder. Then I've still got to plug the iPad into the Mac to sync it with itunes unless you know of another way.

Reply

Answer 6

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Dec 26, 2010 4:35 PM in response to sleeky

You might want to look at the Photo Transfer app. It says it transfer photo both ways. It is on $1.99.

Reply

Answer 7

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Dec 26, 2010 5:07 PM in response to sleeky

I don't have Aperture. I use LR and PS/CS5. However, iTunes just might access Aperture like it does iPhoto - you select which albums you want transferred to the iPad.

In my case, I keep all my serious shots as NEF (Nikon RAW) and TIF. I convert selected shots to JPG and store those versions in iPhoto for transfer to the iPad. Yeah, it's a pain in the neck but, so far, I can't figure out a better way. You CAN transfer TIF pics (and maybe even RAW) to the iPad but somehow that just doesn't seem right to me.

By the way, the iPad does some sort of optimizing conversion when pics are transferred to it. I never investigated but I believe that the file sizes and smaller than what you see on the computer.

Reply

Answer 8

deggie

Level 10

167,177 points

Dec 26, 2010 7:12 PM in response to sleeky

You can transfer your choice of projects from Aperture to your iPad. Just connect your iPad, click on it's name then click on the Photos tab to the right. You might also want to download the manual as an iBook and read it.

Reply

Answer 9

mccass

Level 1

6 points

Apr 17, 2011 12:31 AM in response to sleeky

I also have the same problem connecting my iPhone or iPad to my iMac (all from Apple).

I thought i did this in the past, but how embarrassing, that was on a Microsoft Windows notebook.

So i think that technicaly it is possible but Apple, for some reason, blocks this.

Reply

Answer 10

Apr 29, 2012 3:35 PM in response to mccass

I was successful in connecting my iPad and 27" iMac via bluetooth for the purpose of internet sharing, so it can be done. I was able to use my iMac's free wifi connection (which the iPad couldn't pick up, as I don't want to stand by the window) to get internet on the iPad. I forget how, unfortunately, which is why I'm back in the forums - my connection went down!

*Edit: Foolish me. My iMac shows up under "Devices" on the iPad Bluetooth pane in General Settings. All I had to do was tap it to revive the connection (since I paired the devices the first time I set up the connection). iPad is now getting internet off iMac again :-)

Reply

Answer 11

iLadyOK

Level 2

179 points

Jun 12, 2012 4:20 AM in response to pagancelt

thanks for the postings, I am still having trouble connecting the ipad to imac via bluetooth gaaaaahhh

Reply

Answer 12

Dec 29, 2012 11:07 AM in response to sleeky

Sleeky, this is exactly what I am trying to do. I can connect my imac 21 inch to my ipad mini via bluetooth but can't do anything over the imac's internet connection. The 2 pair and connect with bluetooth butt I can't see anything on the internet from the ipad. I told the imac to use internet sharing... what am I missing? Thanks

scott (I know I must update my devices on here ) 😊 😕 😢

Reply

Answer 13

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,707 points

Dec 29, 2012 11:14 AM in response to iLadyOK

iLadyOK wrote:

thanks for the postings, I am still having trouble connecting the ipad to imac via bluetooth gaaaaahhh

Of course, you're having trouble. As explained above, you're attempting to do what can't be done.

Reply

Answer 14

Dec 29, 2012 11:51 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Well, I should have asked Pagancelt not sleeky as he said above he says he DID it.

I quote:

Re: iPad won't connect to iMac via bluetooth

Apr 29, 2012 3:35 PM (in response to mccass)

I was successful in connecting my iPad and 27" iMac via bluetooth for the purpose of internet sharing, so it can be done. I was able to use my iMac's free wifi connection (which the iPad couldn't pick up, as I don't want to stand by the window) to get internet on the iPad. I forget how, unfortunately, which is why I'm back in the forums - my connection went down!

*Edit: Foolish me. My iMac shows up under "Devices" on the iPad Bluetooth pane in General Settings. All I had to do was tap it to revive the connection (since I paired the devices the first time I set up the connection). iPad is now getting internet off iMac again :-)

Reply

Answer 15

Dec 29, 2012 12:07 PM in response to scottporter

And I just did it too. I paired the ipad and imac via bluetooth, then in sharing on the imac I clicked 'Internet Sharring' and NOT 'Bluetooth Sharing'. Under 'Internet Sharing' on the imac I checked 'Bluetooth PAN'. Then on the ipad I just have bluetooth on & connected and open a browser. Voila- internet connection of imac passed to ipad over bluetooth, saving me from going two rooms and a hall away.

Reply