noirgalant

Q: Bluetooth not running in a BootCamp partition running Windows 8.1 on the new MacBook 12" Retina..

I was told not to expect finding a bluetooth interface in Windows 8.1 on a BootCamp partition on the new 2015 MacBook 12" with Retina Display...  is that it, or is all this mystery going to be unraveled at some future and undisclosed date?

MacBook, Windows 8, BootCamp partition

Posted on Jun 25, 2015 7:20 AM

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Q: Bluetooth not running in a BootCamp partition running Windows 8.1 on the new MacBook 12" Retina..

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  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jun 25, 2015 7:37 AM in response to noirgalant
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    Jun 25, 2015 7:37 AM in response to noirgalant
  • by billygoat,

    billygoat billygoat Jul 1, 2015 11:24 PM in response to Loner T
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    Jul 1, 2015 11:24 PM in response to Loner T

    All that page says is to contact the manufacturer, and since Apple is the manufacturer of both the notebook and Bootcamp that doesn't do much good.


    Typically, how long does it take for Apple to update Bootcamp to address some of the compatibility misses in its latest notebooks?  What are the odds we'll get Bluetooth functionality in our 2015 MacBook Retina's?  I need a wireless mouse without the dongle.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jul 2, 2015 4:14 AM in response to billygoat
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    Jul 2, 2015 4:14 AM in response to billygoat

    My guess is that the W10 support announcement from Apple may include it.

  • by billygoat,

    billygoat billygoat Jul 2, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Loner T
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    Jul 2, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Loner T

    Thanks Loner, follow-up question if you don't mind:

     

    With the last gen of MacBook's, did they have a similar lag on Bluetooth functionality and, if so, how long did it take for Apple to finally make those drivers available in Bootcamp?

     

    Trying to figure out if history says that Apple will fix this or if I'm going to be stuck forever with a notebook I adore sans Bluetooth mouse.

     

    Thanks.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jul 2, 2015 1:46 PM in response to billygoat
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    Jul 2, 2015 1:46 PM in response to billygoat

    I am not aware of any BT-specific issues or lag in Late 2013 models. 2014 and 2015 models are very similar and the Windows drivers have not been kept up to date. W10 seems an opportune moment for any such updates.

  • by noirgalant,

    noirgalant noirgalant Jul 2, 2015 3:04 PM in response to billygoat
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    Jul 2, 2015 3:04 PM in response to billygoat

    I have been installing Windows 7 and 8.1 using BootCamp on various Macs a lot, this is the first time that Apple actually states it does not provide drivers for Bluetooth within Windows on the specific MacBook 2012, and the support person stated off the record that they will resolve it at some time, but as always hide behind their current blanket disclaimer about supporting anything Microsoft... and vice versa I might add, like the grown up brats that they are, no one is leaving their toys on the playground and so we must all not only pay, but suffer.

  • by billygoat,

    billygoat billygoat Jul 5, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Loner T
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    Jul 5, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Loner T

    Last question as I'm new to OSX:

     

    If/when Apple releases the Bluetooth drivers that are compatible with the RMB running Windows 8 will they appear as a Boot Camp Assistant update in the app store on the Mac?  Or would they be bundled into an OSX update in the app store on the Mac?

     

    Just not sure where the fix will appear-  assuming Apple issues a fix of course.


    Thanks.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jul 5, 2015 5:52 AM in response to billygoat
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    Jul 5, 2015 5:52 AM in response to billygoat

    billygoat wrote:

     

    Last question as I'm new to OSX:

    You do not have a quota of questions, ask as many as you want.

     

    It should appear as a Bootcamp update on the Windows side via the Apple Software Update on the Windows side. App Store distributes only OS X and iOS software.

  • by billygoat,

    billygoat billygoat Jul 5, 2015 5:59 AM in response to Loner T
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    Jul 5, 2015 5:59 AM in response to Loner T

    Thanks, sometimes I feel like I'm asking too many questions and your responses are so quick.....eternally grateful.

     

    Okay, so regarding the "Apple Software Update on the Windows side", is there a special app for that?  Windows Update is the big update beast in Windows of course, all Microsoft updates happen there.  I wasn't aware that there was a separate Apple Software Update available for Windows users....where would I find that?  Or are you saying that it would appear in Windows Update with a title of "Apple Software Update"?

     

    Thanks again.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jul 5, 2015 6:13 AM in response to billygoat
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    Jul 5, 2015 6:13 AM in response to billygoat

    This should already be installed on your Windows side when Bootcamp Drivers were installed.

     

    W8.1-Apple-SoftwareUpdate.PNG

     

    Here is an example of what you should expect. I have yet to see a BC Drivers update using this mechanism.

     

    W8.1-Apple-SoftwareUpdate-Example.PNG

     

    Apple is moving away from manual BC Drivers update and pushing BC Assistant as a way to get the software. Teh next logical step is to make it available via this method.

     

    You can also periodically check System requirements to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support for any updates.

  • by billygoat,

    billygoat billygoat Jul 5, 2015 6:56 AM in response to Loner T
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    Jul 5, 2015 6:56 AM in response to Loner T

    Ah, I always viewed that as the iTunes updater but I guess you're right, that could be used for other Apple products.

     

    Thanks again.  Now it's a matter of praying that Apple gets to this quickly.  The USB-C to USB dongle for an infrared mouse is getting old already.

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Jul 5, 2015 7:56 AM in response to billygoat
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    Jul 5, 2015 7:56 AM in response to billygoat

    most has no problems with bluetooth keyboards and mice

    us with imacs use the apple bluetooth keyboard and magic trackpad or magic mice all of which are bluetooth

     

    though for some reason my razor usb / bluetooth combo mice did not work in bootcamp not sure if windows dislike being connected

    to both the magic trackpad and the mouse at the same time but when I connected a usb bluetooth4 dongle the mouse worked but without

    the razor software seeing it as a razor mouse so the scroll direction was wrong

  • by billygoat,

    billygoat billygoat Jul 6, 2015 7:35 AM in response to Rudegar
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    Jul 6, 2015 7:35 AM in response to Rudegar

    IMG_9657.jpg

     

    Thank you for the response, but for the brand new 2015 Retina 12" MacBook there are no Bluetooth drivers at all in Boot Camp.  So it's not a matter of a conflict here or there with a device, it's the fact that the notebook does not have any Bluetooth support at all for Windows at this time.

     

    For some, the issue is just one of convenience-  like not being able to use a Bluetooth speaker.  For me, the issue is that the new MacBook has a new USB-C port and there are no wireless mice that work with that port and without Bluetooth for connectivity I am left with using a USB-A infrared receiver plugged into a dongle and it's not a great experience.

  • by Rudegar,

    Rudegar Rudegar Jul 6, 2015 8:02 AM in response to billygoat
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    Apple TV
    Jul 6, 2015 8:02 AM in response to billygoat

    well I can see it's not on the list of the current driver zip

    Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5640

     

    so maybe you will have to wait for the next bootcamp which will come which support windows 10

    and we can all hope it will not take 6 months after the official release of win10 like it did with win8 and win8.1

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