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

Is there any way that I'm able to update my MacBook so I'm able to use Bluetooth 4.0?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011)

Posted on Jun 17, 2014 7:51 AM

Reply
169 replies

Nov 15, 2014 2:51 PM in response to luis276

Summary: You don't need to replace the $80 bluetooth card in your computer. You can use a cheap USB dongle instead!


I wanted to use the Knock to Unlock app with my late '11 MBP 15" so I could tap my iPhone to unlock my Mac's screen, so I bought a USB bluetooth 4.0/BLE dongle for under $15 on a major online retailer (I don't see any bluetooth 4.1 dongles available and don't think it's a big deal since 4.1 is so new).


To use the dongle, plug it in and follow these directions. tl;dr: download the "Hardware IO Tools for Xcode" bundle, which requires free registration to access. Get the bundle here by searching for "bluetooth" on the downloads page. Install the "Bluetooth Explorer" app by dragging it to your applications folder and run it. Hit ⌘-k or select Tools>"HCI Controller Selector" from the menubar. Change the option to the listing that isn't Apple (often the name is Broadcom, a major bluetooth chipset designer) then hit the "Activate" button and you're done! Anytime you remove the dongle and reinsert it you will need to activate it again.


I expect this will also work just fine for AirDrop since you're setting the dongle as the the system bluetooth device.


Enjoy living the future again! 🙂


P.S. Did you know our machine unofficially supports up to 16GB of RAM (double the 8GB in the specs)?!

Nov 21, 2014 9:20 AM in response to sandervkn

Hi Sander! First of all, thanks for the detailed tutorial. Just one doubt, in the link you provide to buy the chip, they claim "The item is "4AX" not "4CAX". They are different with bluetooth compatibility." and you point that replaced the old Bluetooth Board: BCM94331PCIEBT4AX for the new BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX. But since it worked for you, i'm confussed. Hope being clear. Thanks in advance.

Jan 16, 2015 10:34 AM in response to luis276

Hi,

I have succesfully replaced BT/Wifi module on my Macbook pro 13" late 2011 for BT4.0 module. Handoff works great even AirDrop devices are visible on Mac. But I have this problem with this new BT/Wifi module. Notebook wakes up immediately after going to sleep. It completes sleep sequence, white heartbeat led will fade out then the HDD starts spinning.


I have tried switching BT/Wifi modules together with deactivating Handoff via Continuity activation tool.

Here is the results:

  • With old BT/Wifi module Macbook sleeps without problems.
  • With new BT/Wifi module with old driver Macbook awakes after one second. Same with the new driver after activating via Continuity activation tool.

Here is the console log from All messages.

Pay attention at line 363. Wake reason: ?


16.01.15 18:58:59,143
locationd[57]
Location icon should now be in state 'Active'


16.01.15 18:58:59,461
sharingd[235]
18:58:59.461 : Stopping Handoff advertising


16.01.15 18:59:01,203
locationd[57]
Location icon should now be in state 'Inactive'


16.01.15 18:59:02,149
login[12186]
USER_PROCESS: 12186 ttys000


16.01.15 18:59:06,000
kernel[0]
Sandbox: Terminal(12184) System Policy: deny file-write-unlink /Users/hernap/Library/Saved Application State/com.apple.Terminal.savedState/restorecount.plist


16.01.15 19:02:35,178
login[12202]
USER_PROCESS: 12202 ttys001


16.01.15 19:06:08,637
watchdogd[147]
[watchdog_daemon] @(         pm_callback) - ref=0x0 msg_type=0xe0000280 msg=0x3f0009


16.01.15 19:06:08,637
watchdogd[147]
[watchdog_daemon] @(    wd_daemon_thread) - events buffer: 54r1459 4278s1459 4318r194696 4942s194696 


16.01.15 19:06:08,639
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:08.638556 PM [AirPlay] Power: SystemWillSleep


16.01.15 19:06:08,639
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:08.638725 PM [AirPlay] BTLE client stopping to browse for AirPlay Solo Target Presence.


16.01.15 19:06:08,639
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:08.639020 PM [AirPlay] BTLE discovery removing all devices


16.01.15 19:06:08,640
sharingd[235]
19:06:08.639 : Stopping Handoff advertising


16.01.15 19:06:08,640
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:08.639924 PM [AirPlay] BTLE client stopped to browse for AirPlay Solo Target Presence.


16.01.15 19:06:08,640
sharingd[235]
19:06:08.640 : Stopping Handoff scanning


16.01.15 19:06:09,708
WindowServer[117]
device_generate_desktop_screenshot: authw 0x7f8312c56750(2000), shield 0x7f8312c9b770(2001)


16.01.15 19:06:09,763
WindowServer[117]
device_generate_lock_screen_screenshot: authw 0x7f8312c56750(2000)[0, 0, 1280, 800] shield 0x7f8312c9b770(2001), dev [1280,800]


16.01.15 19:06:09,811
apsd[52]
Peer [pid=194] requested push wake but lacks APSPushWakeEntitlement


16.01.15 19:06:09,812
identityservicesd[210]
<IMMacNotificationCenterManager: 0x7f928bc33830>: notification observer: com.apple.iChat   notification: __CFNotification 0x7f928be3e230 {name = _NSDoNotDisturbEnabledNotification}


16.01.15 19:06:09,828
identityservicesd[210]
<IMMacNotificationCenterManager: 0x7f928bc33830>:    NC Disabled: NO


16.01.15 19:06:09,828
sharingd[235]
19:06:09.828 : Discoverable mode changed to Off


16.01.15 19:06:09,828
sharingd[235]
19:06:09.828 : BTLE scanning stopped


16.01.15 19:06:09,841
identityservicesd[210]
<IMMacNotificationCenterManager: 0x7f928bc33830>:   DND Enabled: YES


16.01.15 19:06:09,841
identityservicesd[210]
<IMMacNotificationCenterManager: 0x7f928bc33830>: Updating enabled: NO   (Topics: (null))


16.01.15 19:06:10,073
com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]
(com.apple.xpc.launchd.domain.user.501) Service "com.apple.xpc.launchd.unmanaged.loginwindow.67" tried to hijack endpoint "com.apple.tsm.uiserver" from owner: com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent


16.01.15 19:06:10,074
com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]
(com.apple.xpc.launchd.domain.user.501) Service "com.apple.xpc.launchd.unmanaged.loginwindow.67" tried to hijack endpoint "com.apple.tsm.uiserver" from owner: com.apple.SystemUIServer.agent


16.01.15 19:06:26,000
kernel[0]
PM response took 2989 ms (27, powerd)


16.01.15 19:06:26,000
kernel[0]
ARPT: 4960.080073: AirPort_Brcm43xx::powerChange: System Sleep 


16.01.15 19:06:26,000
kernel[0]
ARPT: 4960.080086: wl0: powerChange: *** BONJOUR/MDNS OFFLOADS ARE NOT RUNNING.


16.01.15 19:06:26,000
kernel[0]
[0x256a185000, 0x1000]


16.01.15 19:06:26,000
kernel[0]
[0x396d956000, 0x40000000]


16.01.15 19:06:26,000
kernel[0]
[0x39ad956000, 0x3ffff000]


16.01.15 19:06:26,000
kernel[0]
[0x0, 0x0]


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
hibernate image path: /var/vm/sleepimage


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
efi pagecount 43


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_page_list_setall(preflight 1) start 0xffffff8071345000, 0xffffff8071365000


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_page_list_setall time: 125 ms


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
pages 787384, wire 215153, act 95945, inact 13, cleaned 0 spec 2, zf 125548, throt 0, compr 23259, xpmapped 40000


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
could discard act 230711 inact 66024 purgeable 446 spec 30283 cleaned 0


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
WARNING: hibernate_page_list_setall skipped 150189 xpmapped pages


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_page_list_setall preflight pageCount 459920 est comp 47 setfile 953155584 min 2147483648


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
AppleThunderboltGenericHAL::earlyWake - complete - took 0 milliseconds


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
[0x256a185000, 0x1000]


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
[0x396d956000, 0x40000000]


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
[0x39ad956000, 0x3ffff000]


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
[0x0, 0x0]


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
kern_open_file_for_direct_io(0) took 48 ms


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
Opened file /var/vm/sleepimage, size 2147483648, partition base 0x0, maxio 2000000 ssd 0


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
hibernate image major 1, minor 0, blocksize 4096, pollers 5


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_alloc_pages act 327064, inact 191622, anon 144649, throt 0, spec 30287, wire 236844, wireinit 76871


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_setup(0) took 0 ms


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
IO80211AWDLPeerManager::doDisable   source [handleSIOCSIFFLAGS]


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
en1: BSSID changed to ae:29:37:d3:08:86


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
AirPort: Link Down on awdl0. Reason 1 (Unspecified).


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
IO80211AWDLPeerManager::doDisable   source [setLinkState]


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
AirPort: Link Down on en1. Reason 8 (Disassociated because station leaving).


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
en1::IO80211Interface::postMessage bssid changed


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
en1: 802.11d country code set to 'X3'.


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
en1: Supported channels 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 140


16.01.15 19:06:29,315
sharingd[235]
19:06:29.314 : SDStatusMonitor::kStatusWirelessPowerChanged


16.01.15 19:06:29,322
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 1 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:29,322
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 2 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:29,323
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 3 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:29,325
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 4 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:29,325
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 5 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:29,327
airportd[30]
_handleLinkEvent: WiFi is not powered. Resetting state variables.


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
[AppleMultitouchDevice::willTerminate] entered


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
[AppleMultitouchDevice::stop] entered


16.01.15 19:06:29,000
kernel[0]
[0xffffff80150b6500][free]()


16.01.15 19:06:29,832
sharingd[235]
19:06:29.832 : SDStatusMonitor::kStatusBluetoothPowerChanged


16.01.15 19:06:29,833
sharingd[235]
19:06:29.832 : SDStatusMonitor::kStatusBluetoothPowerChanged


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_page_list_setall(preflight 0) start 0xffffff8071345000, 0xffffff8071365000


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_page_list_setall time: 163 ms


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
pages 786864, wire 214473, act 136103, inact 18, cleaned 0 spec 10, zf 125554, throt 0, compr 23259, xpmapped 40000


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
could discard act 190711 inact 66013 purgeable 446 spec 30277 cleaned 0


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
WARNING: hibernate_page_list_setall skipped 151329 xpmapped pages


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_page_list_setall found pageCount 499417


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
IOHibernatePollerOpen, ml_get_interrupts_enabled 0


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
IOHibernatePollerOpen(0)


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
encryptStart 14020


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
bitmap_size 0x1f5a0, previewSize 0x341a08, writing 498277 pages @ 0x374fc8


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
encryptEnd feada00


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
image1Size 0x148e1000, encryptStart1 0x14020, End1 0xfeada00


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
encryptStart 148e1000


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
encryptEnd 39c33e00


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
PMStats: Hibernate write took 9581 ms


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
all time: 9581 ms, comp bytes: 2041360384 time: 1946 ms 1000 Mb/s, crypt bytes: 891209696 time: 1635 ms 519 Mb/s, 


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
image 969097216 (45%), uncompressed 2041360384 (498379), compressed 961662608 (47%), sum1 e7e4907, sum2 da893b12


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
zeroPageCount 39752, wiredPagesEncrypted 164244, wiredPagesClear 49191, dirtyPagesEncrypted 284944


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
hibernate_write_image done(0)


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
sleep


16.01.15 19:06:40,000
kernel[0]
Wake reason: ?


16.01.15 19:06:40,531
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 6 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:40,532
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 7 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:40,532
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 8 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:40,532
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 9 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:40,533
discoveryd[51]
Basic DNSResolver UDNS Send(): UDP Sendto() failed to DNSNameServer 172.20.10.1 Port 53 errno 50, fd 35, ErrLogCount 10 ResolverIntf:5


16.01.15 19:06:43,004
discoveryd[51]
Basic Bonjour stop listening on awdl0


16.01.15 19:06:43,000
kernel[0]
RTC: PowerByCalendarDate setting ignored


16.01.15 19:06:43,000
kernel[0]
RTC: PowerByCalendarDate setting ignored


16.01.15 19:06:43,000
kernel[0]
Previous sleep cause: 5


16.01.15 19:06:43,000
kernel[0]
AppleThunderboltGenericHAL::earlyWake - complete - took 1 milliseconds


16.01.15 19:06:43,127
discoveryd[51]
Basic Bonjour,Warn Warning: IPv4 listener multicast send failed en1, 50


16.01.15 19:06:43,127
discoveryd[51]
Basic Bonjour,Warn Warning: IPv6 listener multicast send failed en1, 50


16.01.15 19:06:43,000
kernel[0]
TBT W (1): 0 [x]


16.01.15 19:06:43,248
sharingd[235]
19:06:43.247 : SDStatusMonitor::kStatusWirelessPowerChanged


16.01.15 19:06:43,000
kernel[0]
AirPort: Link Up on awdl0


16.01.15 19:06:43,304
sharingd[235]
19:06:43.303 : SDStatusMonitor::kStatusBluetoothPowerChanged


16.01.15 19:06:43,304
sharingd[235]
19:06:43.304 : SDStatusMonitor::kStatusBluetoothPowerChanged


16.01.15 19:06:43,398
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:43.398137 PM [AirPlay] BTLE client stopping to browse for AirPlay Solo Target Presence.


16.01.15 19:06:43,398
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:43.398368 PM [AirPlay] BTLE client starting to browse for AirPlay Solo Target Presence.


16.01.15 19:06:43,399
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:43.398688 PM [AirPlay] BTLE client stopped to browse for AirPlay Solo Target Presence.


16.01.15 19:06:43,399
coreaudiod[225]
2015-01-16 07:06:43.399031 PM [AirPlay] BTLE client started to browse for AirPlay Solo Target Presence.


I tried to run pmset -g pslog when im putting computer to sleep. I get slightly more debug info. But still cannot find the solution.

machine:~ user$ pmset -g pslog
Logging IORegisterForSystemPower sleep/wake messages
pmset is in logging mode now. Hit ctrl-c to exit.
2015-01-16 19:05:26 +0100 IOPSNotificationCreateRunLoopSource
Now drawing from 'AC Power'
 -InternalBattery-0 100%; charged; 0:00 remaining

2015-01-16 19:06:08 +0100 IORegisterForSystemPower: ...Sleeping...
2015-01-16 19:06:45 +0100 com.apple.system.powersources.lowbattery
2015-01-16 19:06:45 +0100 com.apple.system.powersources
2015-01-16 19:07:07 +0100 com.apple.system.powersources.lowbattery
2015-01-16 19:07:07 +0100 com.apple.system.powersources

2015-01-16 19:07:08 +0100 IORegisterForSystemPower: ...HasPoweredOn...
  Wake Reason = 
  wakeType = HID Activity


I thing there can be some problem with hidd process but I'm only guessing.

Feb 11, 2015 6:32 PM in response to sandervkn

Why you mention Wrong Card URL?


On you GUIDE said BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX But you point the URL to OLD version BCM94331PCIEBT4AX😢

http://www.os-store.com.de/broadcom-apple-bcm4331-bcm20702-bt-wlan-card-module-a 1278-a1286-a1297-661-5867-607-7291-607-8792.html

The Problem is... I was order this card too without Check more details... as far I know, URL produk for BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX version is

http://www.os-store.com.de/broadcom-bcm94331pciebt4cax-bcm4331-bluetooth-bt-wlan -wireless-card-module-for-apple-a1278-a1286-a1297-661-5867-607-7291-2011.html

And this product currenly out of Stock 😟

Mar 14, 2015 7:46 AM in response to luis276

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. I have a MBP 15" Late 2011 running Yosemite. I have been wanting to use AirDrop between my iPhone and my MacBook for a while. I was hesitant to crack open my MacBook again to replace the card (I replaced the RAM and added a second SSHD a few years ago), then saw the info about dongle support. I bought the ASUS USB-BT400 and installed the Continuity Activation Tool and it's worked flawlessly so far. I confirmed the settings required, restarted my MacBook, logged out and back into iCloud, and restarted both devices for good measure. I was able to successfully test AirDrop from iPhone to MBP and Handoff both ways. I also tried an app called Tether to support proximity locking, but it didn't work consistently. So far so good with the main features.

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

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