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I am having problems pairing my Bose soundlink with my macbook pro

Ok, I paired the Bose soundlink with my macbook pro, but then when I try to use as an external speakers simply does not work, I can see the device on my bluetooth list. Any ideas please?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3), Bose Soundlink bluetooth pairing

Posted on Mar 20, 2012 6:54 AM

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Posted on Mar 20, 2012 7:39 AM

Option click on the speaker icon on the menu bar. Does the device show up under 'Output devices'? Is it selected?

18 replies

Apr 21, 2012 9:06 PM in response to Jrex1959

I talked with a Bose rep about problems pairing with Lion, and got this answer, which has since worked every time.

1. Turn on the Bose

2. Tap the Bluetooth button the Bose (not holding it for 3 seconds), and it should start a slow blink.

3. On your computer, click on the Bluetooth icon, hover over the Bose Soundlink name, and select that you'd like to "Use As Audio Device"

4. Press Play on whatever audio or video you're trying to listen to. It will take a second, but should connect.


It has also worked when I've tried to switch from pairing with my iPhone to pairing with my laptop...in that case, hold the Bluetooth button for 3 seconds on the Bose to make it discoverable, and then go through the same steps. The Bose rep also said they're hoping to have software update, but that it involves getting Apple's help, so he's not sure when it will happen.

Apr 23, 2012 11:15 AM in response to Jrex1959

Jrex -

I had the same problem ....... found suggestion on another board and it worked!


First remove the soundlink from the bluetooth memory of your Mac. Then hold down the mute button on the Bose Soundlink for 10 seconds until all the lights start flashing. ..... Hold down the bluetooth button for 10 seconds until a beep is heard..... Go to the Bose website and download new software using the usb cable (mini) and attach to the service point at the rear of the soundlink. NOTE: the soundlink must have AC power to do this. Follow the instructions exactly step by step at: http://worldwide.bose.com/productsupport/en_us/web/soundlink_wireless_mobile/pag e.html


Restart your Mac and Soundlink. Works perfectly now ... and I love it!

Jan 24, 2013 5:49 PM in response to JiminCali

I understand how to initially pair/connect/hear my MBP with my Soundlink II. I can easily reconnect and hear my MBP through my Soundlink II by removing it from the Bluetooth list and rediscovering it (holoding down on the bluetooth button until the slow blink).


The problem I am looking for a solution to is: switching between my droids and MBP w/o having to go thru the removing/reconnect process.


I have to remove/reconnect to get my MBP to work; however, my Droids pair/reconnect and play with the fast blinking bluetooth function on the Soundlink II.

Jan 24, 2013 9:03 PM in response to jonesgl13

The solution seems to be to quit iTunes (not just pause or drop to dock), make the connection and then open iTunes again. I have found this works without having to go and make the Soundlink discoverable and start all over each time which is really a pain... If you don't quit iTunes it seems to think it is still connected to the droid. Hope this helps. I love the speakers but switching between my Galaxy Note and MBP has caused plenty of frustration.

Jan 26, 2013 7:49 PM in response to JiminCali

I had this annoying issue too: Soundlink paired, but not connected...

It was useless to reboot the MacBook Air, several times...


First I made sure no competing devices were nearby (turned off cell phone and iPad)

I turned off iTunes

I removed the device from my Bluetooth list


Then I reset the Soundlink:


a) Hold the bluetooth button for 10 seconds (until a BEEP)

b) Hold the mute button for 10 seconds (until lights blink)


Then I paired the device again.

Finally, I went to SOUND on system preferences and highlighted Soundlink.

Lastly, I opened iTunes.


Who knows, maybe a Soundlink reset would be enough...

Jan 16, 2015 6:37 PM in response to Jrex1959

FIXED***


System Preferences --> Perian --> General Tab --> Audio Output: "Dolby Pro Logic"


I had my audio output set to "Stereo" because I was having a lot of stuttering issues and "Stereo" fixed them. But then I lost audio completely with my Soundlink Mini. Changing back to "Dolby Pro Logic" fixed all my problems. I think Yosemite gets confused and tries to match a digital bluetooth output device with analog stereo output. Obviously, that won't do.


I'm running OS X Yosemite 10.10.1 on my Mid 2012 Macbook Air. I have not updated my Bose Soundlink Mini firmware.


I hope this helps some people.

Apr 16, 2015 5:43 AM in response to Jrex1959

This was a fix for me:


I wasn't always able to connect to my Bose Soundlink Mini. So I spend some time talking with Bose, and trying to fix it. They didn't know how.
Then I saw this and questioned: what would happen when I change the name of my computer?


User uploaded file

In System preferences > Sharing my computer name was "Daan+"

So I deleted the "+", resulting in "DaanH" and finally my Bose was able to connect!


So maybe, but I'm not sure, it's the "+" sign causing trouble?


Previously, I was able to connect sometimes, but then my phone wasn't able to connect afterwards. Resetting the pairing list was the solution. Sometimes rebooting the mac was a solution. All a bit vague, I know. I just don't have hours to spend in solving this issue.


Hope this helps someone.

May 19, 2015 1:14 PM in response to Jrex1959

Hi All


We keep getting screw ups like this with Apple. the reason we bought Apple stuff, and it is expensive, is because it just worked. NOW we seem to spend an inordinate amount of time ******* around like we used to with the PC - Soooooo we're almost persuaded to go back to PC as Son is in IT and makes us realise Apple ain't it any more.


We've ditched our iPhones for much the same reasons - it's Androids that "Just work" now.


Wake up Apple we're all starting to see you as **** wits trying to screw us for more and more money.


Dissatisified user and faithful to Apple for 15 years - but goodbye guys.

Jun 17, 2015 3:21 AM in response to BearRunner

The only problem which is the 'mute' button? Mine has (left to right) Power:Bluetooth:AUX:PLay/pause: Volume (-/+) This is the Bose Colour soundlink

regards

Jaypax


My original problem (for other readers) is that my new Bose Colour soundlink will sync with my iphone and my ipad, but when I try to pair with my Macbook Pro it says "The device does not have the necessary services" I am running OSX 10.8.5

Any thoughts?

I am having problems pairing my Bose soundlink with my macbook pro

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