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

Question

Level 1

8 points

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

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Answer 1

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

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Answer 2

Level 1

8 points

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

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