anunusedname
Level 1 (4 points)
Peripherals

Q: Problems with getting Macbook pro bluetooth to discover client devices it has previously never paired to.

Hi.

I am unable to get my Macbook pro to discover devices it has never been previously connected to .

The Macbook pro is discoverable by Bluetooth devices, but I don't seem to have an option to be able to discover client devices.

 

My macbook pro gives the option to be discoverable - e.g client mode, I want to discover clients e.g, speakers , headphones.

My bluetooth speakers or headphones work fine on my Ipad so I know that the beat headphones work ok.

The macbbook pro is discoverable and I can connect by Ipad , or phone to it, so I know the bluetooth on the Macbook works fine.

Once paired devices show in the discovery box - and can be connected to.

 

I think basically this means that the Macbook pro is connecting as a client - but I can not see an option to set it in server mode.

 

How do I make it so that it looks for unpaired devices - I am using 10.11.5 (15F34) trying to connect to Beats headphones.

 

I have reset PRAM etc.

I have even tried connecting an external USB bluetooth adapter - this did not provide any additional options.

 

Regards

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 4:11 AM

by anunusedname,Solvedanswer
anunusedname anunusedname
Level 1 (4 points)
Peripherals
A:

Thanks Barry - but the problem was that I could not detect the devices in the first case.

 

I raised a call with Apple help desk - we spent an hour or more investigating everything no progress.

Then dropped to safemode - I could then connect to wireless speakers - but still not see my Beats.

But this was considerable progress.

Stopped everything in my startup, removed teamviewer - for no other reason than it was not something he knew about.

The support guy was very helpful but said the next stage was to reinstall the OS - I wanted to back up completely before doing this.

He said to call back after I had done that.

Backed up completely - decided to re try all options .

Basically in normal mode - changed the state of all the bluetooth options , switched off bluetooth , switched beats into pair mode , bluetooth on.

Found the MAC address of the beats - it paired - then gave me the DNS name.

 

So now all works.

Still unsure what fixed it.

 

Thanks to all who pondered.

 

Regards Andy

Posted on Jul 4, 2016 2:39 PM

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anunusedname

Q: Problems with getting Macbook pro bluetooth to discover client devices it has previously never paired to.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Barry Hemphill,

    Barry Hemphill Barry Hemphill Jul 4, 2016 2:11 PM in response to anunusedname
    Level 8 (38,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Jul 4, 2016 2:11 PM in response to anunusedname

    Have you deleted the devices that you are trying to connect to the MacBook Pro? BT devices may only be connected to one thing at a time.

     

    Barry

  • by anunusedname,Solvedanswer

    anunusedname anunusedname Jul 4, 2016 2:39 PM in response to anunusedname
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Peripherals
    Jul 4, 2016 2:39 PM in response to anunusedname

    Thanks Barry - but the problem was that I could not detect the devices in the first case.

     

    I raised a call with Apple help desk - we spent an hour or more investigating everything no progress.

    Then dropped to safemode - I could then connect to wireless speakers - but still not see my Beats.

    But this was considerable progress.

    Stopped everything in my startup, removed teamviewer - for no other reason than it was not something he knew about.

    The support guy was very helpful but said the next stage was to reinstall the OS - I wanted to back up completely before doing this.

    He said to call back after I had done that.

    Backed up completely - decided to re try all options .

    Basically in normal mode - changed the state of all the bluetooth options , switched off bluetooth , switched beats into pair mode , bluetooth on.

    Found the MAC address of the beats - it paired - then gave me the DNS name.

     

    So now all works.

    Still unsure what fixed it.

     

    Thanks to all who pondered.

     

    Regards Andy