Level 1

27 points

PS4 Controller Bluetooth Connectivity Problems

Hi there. I've been using the PS4 Controller with my Late 2013 Macbook Pro for a while, and bluetooth connectivity was fine for a while. Around the time I updated to Yosemite (although I'm not 100% certain that would be the cause), the controllers stopped being able to connect.

When I attempt to pair the device, it shows up as discoverable, allows me to hit 'Connect' in the Bluetooth preferences pane, and actually says 'Connected', although it continues to have the spinning load wheel next to it. Typically, when the controller ACTUALLY connects, the light on the back of the DS4 changes from quick flashes to a solid orange color. After a while of this, the controller stops attempting to connect, and the Bluetooth pane says the pairing failed.

I have reset the PRAM and SMC multiple times, am fully up to date on software, have tried plugging the controllers in via USB first (which works, but I want Bluetooth working again), and have done a ton of searches for similar issues. Very few people seem to have an issue remotely close to this, and the ones that do are able to fix it with an SMC reset.

Thanks in advance for any help!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), PS4 Dualshock 4 Controller

Posted on Nov 20, 2014 1:45 PM

Top-ranking reply

MattiaTraverso

Level 1

5 points

Posted on Jan 5, 2015 2:21 PM

I had the exact same issue you had, and I took the following steps to fix it:

1) Turn off Bluetooth

2) Terminate every single process in Activity Manager that you can terminate

3) Open the terminal and type sudo rm -R /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.E5A09B51-7B2E-53AC-ADF0-*********.plis t (I censored part of the name since I am not sure whether these characters have any importance)
or sudo rm -R /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist

4) Trash the file manually if you can't get this to work ^

5) Restart your macbook

6) Open the newly formed Bluetooth.plist with Sublime Text, delete everything inside and re-save the file (I know, this feels like black magic, and I don't think it had any input... but I am just telling you the steps I took!)

...and now it works flawlessly. Tried with two controllers, and they still work even after I pair them with other devices.

View in context

30 replies

Apr 9, 2015 12:38 PM in response to MattiaTraverso

I tried copying and pasting what you wrote and its not working for me. I have no idea how to go about accessing what you are talking about to delete the preferences

Oct 14, 2015 9:17 PM in response to MattiaTraverso

This worked for me. MacBook Pro Retina 15" Mid 2014 running El Capitan.

Nov 8, 2015 3:18 PM in response to elementsixtythree

I am having the above issues as well. This did NOT work for me. Late 2013 MacBook Pro, El Capitan 10.11.2

leonmax

Level 1

8 points

Feb 27, 2016 11:10 PM in response to XxRagnarockxX

The last one saved me!!! Thank you XxRagnarockxX

Apr 22, 2016 11:54 PM in response to XxRagnarockxX

This is the best answer!

Aug 13, 2016 11:58 AM in response to XxRagnarockxX

Please i need these IO Tools https://developer.apple.com/downloads/ THE LINK DOESNT WORK

schro3f

Level 1

6 points

Nov 23, 2017 5:44 AM in response to Riddle1715

Bluetooth explorer??? You mean Bluetooth Preferences i think. Check what name it says in the list, if its not official name its probably a fake. I had same issue, with older OSX you needed a lot of tricks to get it working. But these days should connect.

You still need a different software for keymapping the controller, I personally use joystick mapper. Very good app.

Jan 1, 2018 10:28 AM in response to MattiaTraverso

Hey thanks a bunch for the help. I was having the same problem with a late 2009 MacBook Pro. I found the bluetooth list manually under Library>Preferences>By Host. Deleted it, restarted my Macbook, and paired first try. Thanks again.

schro3f

Level 1

6 points

Mar 17, 2017 3:22 PM in response to blueclient

Super thanks! worked like a charm, though i lost all my other items, but those connect quite easily

Nov 23, 2017 2:45 AM in response to XxRagnarockxX

Hi, when I try to open Bluetooth Explorer it goes to the doc with the black dot under it but it doesn't open, what should I do?

Dec 9, 2017 2:06 AM in response to Theyis

Will all interested please forget trying to pair a Playstation 4 DualShock to an iMac using Bluetooth or mini USB.

In conjunction with an Apple Guru we have proved IT WILL NOT PAIR.

schro3f

Level 1

6 points

Dec 10, 2017 11:07 AM in response to thirkleby

Does it show a name some where in bluetooth menu? I had sort of that issue with a fake controller, you need to do some hustle to get those connected.

Let me know

Dec 10, 2017 1:57 PM in response to schro3f

Thanks for response. Controller is genuine PlayStation product bought new from GAME store.

All it says on Bluetooth screen is “Witeless Controller”

schro3f

Level 1

6 points

Dec 10, 2017 5:40 PM in response to schro3f

Well i let it charge and now it stays connected again 🙂

So i say follow that post with the bluetooth explorer app and do those steps. This worked now for me, hope this helps

Vantro

Level 1

12 points

Dec 21, 2017 3:43 PM in response to XxRagnarockxX

Only this worked, incredible. Thanks man!

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PS4 Controller Bluetooth Connectivity Problems