New Keynote Remote Feature Bluetooth iPhone 5S won't connect

Question

New Keynote Remote Feature Bluetooth iPhone 5S won't connect

The new version of Keynote includes remote control software so presenters can change slides with their iPhones or iPads using either WiFi or Bluetooth.

The issue I am experiencing is in attempting to use a Bluetooth connection between my iPhone and MacBook Pro Retina. Keynote claims that one can use a Bluetooth connection to control presentations on a Mac from an iPhone or iPad. I am not able to get my iPhone to pair and thus control the presentation.

Can iPhones be used to remotely control Mac Keynote presentation with this new version?

I was successful at home controlling the presentation via WiFi, but not all WiFi networks are setup to allow this remote activity either. The bluetooth seems a better option since there isn't a network guru to get in the way of the WiFi actually working either.

How do I successfully remotely control a Mac Keynote with the iPhone Keynote via Bluetooth as the program claims. The iPhone and Mac don't like to pair (5S and MacBook Pro Retina 15" --both new)

Thanks!!!!

iPhone 5s, Bluetooth between MacBook Pro and i

Posted on Jan 27, 2014 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 18, 2017 6:52 AM in response to JimmyMacSoCal

I updated my Keynote Mar 6 but in Preferences it only mentions Wi-Fi.

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Answer 2

Mar 18, 2017 5:39 AM in response to JimmyMacSoCal

Using MacOS Sierra and latest iOS and I have essentially the same experience. I was trying to use my iPad Mini to play the Keynote through my MacBook connected by HDMI to a projector in a church. It all work perfectly at home with both bluetooth and wifi turned on but at the church it began okay and then disconnected. I tried turning wifi off but same thing happened using just bluetooth. I didn't have time in the middle of my presentation to fiddle with it and just had to move to the computer with my iPad in my hand to read notes and manually advance slides on computer and notes on iPad. I would really like to find a solution.

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Answer 3

Jan 27, 2014 9:35 AM in response to JimmyMacSoCal

Nevermind.

iphones or iPads cannot conrol Macs via bluetooth per Apple.

iPhones can control iPads however.

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Answer 4

DLux247

Level 1

0 points

Jan 31, 2014 11:43 AM in response to JimmyMacSoCal

Are you serious? So if I've got this correct:

iOS Keynote can control another iOS Keynote presentation

OS X Keynote can control an iOS Keynote presentation

BUT

iOS Keynote can NOT remotely control OS X Keynote?

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Answer 5

Jan 31, 2014 1:21 PM in response to DLux247

Are you serious? So if I've got this correct:

No you have not got it correct.

iOS Keynote can control another iOS Keynote presentation

The remote control feature using an iOS device to control Keynote Mac only works with WiFi.

Keynote Mac can not control Keynote on an iOS device.

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Answer 6

Apr 4, 2014 10:16 PM in response to Gary Scotland

Anyone have reliable steps to do this?

I want to use my iPhone 5s to control a keynote pres on iPad Air.

~Mark

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Answer 7

Apr 12, 2014 6:41 PM in response to Gary Scotland

This is unaccurate. I have been using my iphone 4 with IOS7 to control my slideshow via bluetooth for several years. THere was a short period where I couldn't connect my macbook to my phone via bluetooth and one of the updates fixed it. Today, I purchsed an iPhone 5s and had a terrible time getting it to connect to my macbook. After several tries I got them paired and I can tether. I opened up the Keynote remote and it won't function even though they are clearly connected and talking to each other. Not sure what the deal is. Might delete app and reinstall or visit the genius bar tomorrow.

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Answer 8

Apr 12, 2014 7:07 PM in response to Joebrummer

So, I figured this out and its sick! You connect your iPhone via bluetooth and open the latest version of Keynote 2.2 for Iphone and open a presention on you macbook. Keynote on your phone now has a remote built in and not only can you control your presention from you iPhone, you can draw with your finger on your iphone and it shows up on your presention on you computer. Its Freaking AWESOME!!!! Also works on iPad and even better if you have a stylus.

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Answer 9

Lise2008

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2014 8:39 AM in response to JimmyMacSoCal

I have an iPhone 5S with the Keynote app and mid 2012 Macbook Pro. I needed a way to use my iPhone to control Keynote on my Mac without using a wifi network, as a wifi network is not always available to me at client locations. These steps worked for me: Open Keynote presentation on the Mac and select Preferences, then Remotes, check the "Enable Remotes" box. Download the Apple Keynote app on the iPhone 5S (free). Choose the "remote" icon in the upper left corner. Follow the steps to sync the Mac and iPhone. To use without a wifi network (you will use wifi between the iPhone and Mac), go to iPhone Settings, and turn on WiFi and Personal Hotspot. On the Mac wi-fi, select the iPhone. iPhone Keynote Remote will now run Keynote on the Mac.

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