Q: Can keynote remote app use Bluetooth?

I heard that turning the WiFi off on the iPhone would force the Remote app to go to bluetooth.  Unfortunately, it has not worked for me. http://www.themobilepresenter.com/article.php/bluetooth-remote-control

I have been having the same problem as you Charlie.  My MacBook Air says that it is paired successfully, but my iPhone 4 says that it is not connected. Keynote on the MBA does not show the iPhone on the lists of remotes.

I have used the App successfully before.

You need to select "share my internet connection with other bluetooth devices" under advanced bluetooth preferences to create a PAN (personal area network?) interface, and then it will work over bluetooth - go back into keynote remote on your IOS device, and Keynote prefs -> remotes on your Mac, and you should be able to link up. It's working fine with my iPod touch and MacBook Air...

Pjdneu,

Thanks for trying, but that does not help. I have created the PAN at least a dozen times. My MacBook Air says that it is paired successfully, but my iPhone 4 says that it is not connected.

Hmm. When I go into bluetooth preferences I see my iPod, "not connected", with type=Portable, services="Handsfree Gateway, Wireless iAP", paired=Yes, connected=Yes. I don't have internet sharing turned on or anything, just PAN.

It got a bit messed up and I had to delete the link and reconnect it a few times.

I managed to get Keynote Remote on my iPhone to control Keynote on the iPad via Bluetooth by activating the Personal Hotspot on my phone. Both devides then found each other and it was simple to connect them.

Using a 3GS and iPad2, both with IOS5+ on.

Yes, I second that.

yes this is good. It works with thru personal hotspot.  But it would be difficult to use this without wifi on

If you can only have a connection when you turn on 'Personal Hotspot', then it is not via Bluetooth, it's using wifi connection thru your phone.

Hey, all, I finally figured this out--it DOES work with Bluetooth.  After pulling my hair out for several hours, I finally realized you have to create a bluetooth personal hotspot and pair the devices together.  Then Keynote and Keynote remote work fine.  You set up the personal hotspot by going to the Bluetooth settings on both devices and they search for each other, etc., it's pretty clear.

Apply should not have left this crucial step out of the instructions for Keynote Remote! 

Wells1956,

I believe a personal hotspot is a WiFi hotspot rather than bluetooth.

Hi Charlie;

Sorry, but you cannot use Keynote Remote via Bluetooth with a Mac.

See link bellow for additional information about it.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3325

It's way easier to use your bluetooth Magic Mouse as a remote.  Left click to advance, right click to reverse.  You can also move the mouse over your other hand to use the arrow to point things out.  No dependence on wireless network, no need to create a network, already paired = simplest solution.

Thank man! since I noticed the mac air does not have the IR port, I have been pulling my hair out trying to pair my iphone via bluetooth with keynote (something that I realized is not possible). I never thought about the magic mouse thing. It completely solves my problem

I have verified with Apple that you do need to pair via Bluetooth and then share via Personal Hotspot (with WiFi off to force it to connect via Bluetooth or USB only) for Remote Keynote to work via Bluetooth. A little finnicky, but works like a charm if this is what you need. However, there is an easy alternative if you have no WiFi but want to use Remote on your iPhone: on your laptop simply click on "Create Network" under the WiFi icon, then join this network on your iPhone and connect Remote Keynote. Boom. Done. Easy.