Can I update my macbook pro early 2011 to use bluetooth 4.0

Good work. This is the correct card.

Hi, thanks to all those who figure this stuff out for the rest of us! I have access to a fleet of various unibody 13" MBPs. Many are from 2012 and 2013. I have a lone 17" MBP unibody from late 2011 that I would like to be compatible with SMS on my iPhone. First, do I need Bluetooth 4.0 for texting from Yosemite, or is that a wifi thing? Second, if I do need a new BT4.0 card, can I just swap my 2011 card with one from a 13" unibody from 2012 or 2013? Easy as that? Thanks for the advice!

Not sure on the card exchange but as far as I know the Bluetooth 4.0 is just for the handoff feature the SMS should still work with once updated to 10.10. Please do correct if I'm wrong though.

I can confirm that the iMessage functionality works WITHOUT updating the BT module. It therefore must be using WiFi. I'm running a Early 2011 MBP (Yosemite) with an iPhone 5 running IOS 8.1 and was able to succesfully setup the iMessage (texting) last night. I did have to add my iCloud email address to the contact information in the settings on my iPhone. I did NOT have to add it on my MBP. Once I did that I no longer needed the authentication code which I was getting prompted for on my iPhone. There are earlier posts about this with the instructions on how to add the iCloud email to your iPhone message contacts. I will say that I could NOT remove it after I got things connected, even though some others have reported that they could. To me it doesn't matter but for others it might be.

That being said, I've got a 2012 BT/WiFi card on the way and am going to do the upgrade to get the handoff features to work. If you aren't interested in those features then you'll be all set without having to swap the card.

It was already known that texting and calling through Continuity works via WIFI. But I understand that you don't feel like reading all the posts here, there are a lot ;-)

Hello All,

I am following this thread very closely. My system specs are as follows:

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011, MacBookPro8,3), 8 GB RAM/2.5 Ghz Intel Quad Core i7/512 GB SSD/Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1 GB VRAM and Intel HD 3000 Graphics, iPad, Wi-Fi, 64 GB, iPhone 6+, 64 GB, Mac OS X Yosemite, version 10.10

Forgive if I'm wrong, but I think a few with a MBP such as mine has tried this with success.

With the recent release of OS X Yosemite vs. 10.10 I'm holding off implementing this to see how stable it works in the community now that the final OS has been released.

I too feel robbed due to the significant investment I have made in Apple products. I love my MBP, and I just can't justify buying a new one just to take advantage of a few OS features. Although I would love to have it merely for productivity purposes.

I do have a few questions regarding the BT card replacement: (forgive me if I'm being redundant)

1. From what I understand, the BT card is a combo Airport/BT card right (both wireless network and bluetooth)? I have both wireless and ethernet on my MBP. Just clarifying for my technical understanding.

2. Only the correct BT chipset is needed to run OS X Yosemite Handoff/Continuity features, right? It doesn't rely on a correct network card too does it? Just to clarify.

3. Does the chipset model discussed (BCM94331PCIEBT"4CAX" BCM4331) also take advantage of the new 802.11 AC network protocol?

If this does end up working, I too, hope Apple implements the proper code for older MBPs to use ALL of Yosemite's features. Loyalty counts for something doesn't it? 🙂

1. Yes

2. The correct BT chipset is welded on a correct network card

3. No

@smelancon731

You're correct - Bluetooth 4.0 is needed for Handoff, however SMS will work as long as you've updated to Yosemite and gone through the appropriate steps to set it up through iMessage.

Hey unkind,

Thanks for replying to my post.

I need to correct myself in question #3. I originally asked:

3. Does the chipset model discussed (BCM94331PCIEBT"4CAX" BCM4331) also take advantage of the new 802.11 AC network protocol?

What I was really trying to ask was:

3. Does the Airport card on the "4CAX" replacement card (not Bluetooth chipset) support at least the 802.11 AC networking protocol?

Thanks.

Also, has anyone found reliable vendors in the U.S. that sell the needed Airport/Bluetooth card? I am researching as well. Thought I'd ask since so many have ordered or are going to order.

No, unfortunately. Just 802.11n

Scroll up in this discussion. There are several links to vendors selling the "...CAX" card.

gtmars wrote:

Also, has anyone found reliable vendors in the U.S. that sell the needed Airport/Bluetooth card? I am researching as well. Thought I'd ask since so many have ordered or are going to order.

I found my seller on Apple's website at:

https://locate.apple.com (For USA)

On that page, choose "Service"

Then put in your zip, and choose Mac from the dropdown.

The next page should have a list of Apple Stores and Authorized Resellers. I called the one closest to my house and they ordered the part for me. 2 days later I went down and picked it up. It cost about $95 for them to order it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks aquariusrick,

I found my seller on Apple's website at:

https://locate.apple.com (For USA)

I will investigate that one too.

Also, in response to James Reid1:

Scroll up in this discussion. There are several links to vendors selling the "...CAX" card.

Yes, I saw those when I read the pages here, and I definitely will review such posts as well. I was asking in case members found vendors they used, but didn't post the info here.

Thanks for both of your replies.

Check this out guys:

https://github.com/dokterdok/Continuity-Activation-Tool/

Since there are a lot of scammers on eBay who pretend to sell the 4.0 BT enabling item by not making the name of the piece totally, clear, I thought to indicate this other solution to all those from Germany or Europe, you can get a compatible Broadcom BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX card at this place for roughly 45 Euros: http://www.cdx.de/store/products/APPLE-ERSATZTEILE/MACBOOK-PRO/Airport-Karte-Mac Book-Pro-Mid-2012-Bluetooth-4-0.html

Note: I am not affiliated at all, just ordered / tested / am using one of those successfully in my MBP 17" late 2011.