Can't connect iPhone and MacBook via Bluetooth

I had the same problem with an iphone 7 plus & '15 macbook pro. It came back with 'services or resources not available'. The solution for me was to go to the Sharing icon in system preferences. Make sure bluetooth sharing is ticked and the other preferences for receiving files etc, are enabled. Afterwards I was able to use Airdrop for sending a file from iphone to mac.

Looking at the app's description in the app store I see no mention of Bluetooth for syncing. Instead it mentions iCloud and Wi-Fi sync.

tt2

Do you have Personal Hotspot turned on on the iPhone before attempting to pair?

Otherwise, any reason you don't use the Personal Hotspot feature over wifi instead of bluetooth?

Wifi will be faster than bluetooth always.

I think this is what you actually need: Share your Internet connection with Personal Hotspot - Apple Support.

tt2

maclank wrote:

Seeing how the standard answer is why would you want to do that, let me explain:

1. 2016 MacBook - it has 1 connection port (other than headphones)

2. Area impacted by IRMA - no internet, wifi, no cable, no wired phone

3. Have an unlimited phone data plan for my iPhone 6 - 4LTE

4. I work from home using a monitor using a dongle to connect it to the only MacBook.

So, to connect my iPhone to my Mac there, while having my MacBook connected to the monitor I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO USE Bluetooth.

Each time I've attempted to connect/pair and seeing the message "connected" it immediately switches to "not connected." Not supported.

So, is it possible to connect an iPhone to a MacBook using Bluetooth and have the pairing stick? If so, how.

The question isn't really "Why do you want to use BT rather than some other type of connection?" It's "What are you trying to accomplish by pairing the two devices using BT?" If the answer is "sharing files", then no, that's not supported. If you're trying to do something else, please explain.

When you enable Personal Hotspot on the iPhone, the iPhone creates its own wifi network, the Macbook should then be able to connect to it normally. i.e the Mac finds the iPhone name and connects to it as if it were a regular Wifi network.

As suggested by Turingtest above, you should read the following support document carefully:

Share your Internet connection with Personal Hotspot - Apple Support

You are assuming things that are not correct.

What exactly are you attempting to accomplish?

Generally speaking an iPhone and a computer (even a Mac) will not pair over bluetooth except for Personal Hotspot.

Most other things involving bluetooth do not require they be paired.

Bluetooth: Why can't I pair my iPhone or iPad with another iOS device or with my computer?

Seeing how the standard answer is why would you want to do that, let me explain:

1. 2016 MacBook - it has 1 connection port (other than headphones)

2. Area impacted by IRMA - no internet, wifi, no cable, no wired phone

3. Have an unlimited phone data plan for my iPhone 6 - 4LTE

4. I work from home using a monitor using a dongle to connect it to the only MacBook.

So, to connect my iPhone to my Mac there, while having my MacBook connected to the monitor I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO USE Bluetooth.

Each time I've attempted to connect/pair and seeing the message "connected" it immediately switches to "not connected." Not supported.

So, is it possible to connect an iPhone to a MacBook using Bluetooth and have the pairing stick? If so, how.

Thanks

I'm trying to use my iPhone to connect to my MacBook so I can then work using my monitor. Doing whatever the computer can do but viewing on the monitor. Managing my business, streaming TV, whatever.

Yes, have personal hotspot on prior to trying to pair. Also have tried wifi multiple times. Problem (assumption) is wifi requires both ends on same network to work. As my wifi/internet is down, I need to use my iPhone's cellular network to connect to the internet. Once on line with it when switching to wifi I lose the signal. Have also tried Apple TV with the same result. Actually had to laugh at tonight's message "Heartbeat error."

Thanks, as a bit of a novice, struggling here.

ok - since you asked.. here's my WHY...
I use the iFinance app to run my bank account. It's often useful, if I'm out shopping to be able to check my current status and so I paid for and downloaded the iFinance app onto my 4s iPhone.. but it uses BT to sync the files.. and cannot get the phone to connect for more than a second... oh - and Personal Hotspot is greyed out....

I can complete the pairing process, but then I cannot connect the iPhone to the network, nor can I send or receive a file. Asking about the purpose isn't irrelevant. Perhaps a helper will already know of another way to achieve the desired end. If not at least you're feeding the curiosity of those that invest their time helping others, surely a small price to pay when asking for a favour.

tt2

As said, bluetooth pairing is not supported nor required.

Both features you are talking about do not require bluetooth pairing. So asking why you want to pair is in fact a valid question.

iCloud Keychain doesn't even use bluetooth at all. The Keychain is updated via the internet be it wifi or wired. Devices don't need to be on the same wifi or wired network for it to update however, but they do need an internet connection.

Frequently asked questions about iCloud Keychain - Apple Support

The Copy and Paste option is part of Continuity and while it does use Bluetooth when in range, again Pairing is not needed.

Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Universal Clipboard - Apple Support

So just because you assume you need to pair does not mean the features actually require it, nor is it possible in any case.

Without knowing what you are trying to do it is impossible to know if things are working as they should or not. I commend you to the article posted earlier: Bluetooth: Why can't I pair my iPhone or iPad with another iOS device or with my computer?

tt2

stewartfrommyerstown wrote:

One example when you would want to pair is when you are using your phone to control a presentation in keynote. It instructs you to use wifi or bluetooth to connect your devices.

Yes, but it does not require you anywhere to pair through bluetooth settings on any of the involved devices.

Use Keynote Remote on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

You follow the instructions and connect the devices through the keynote app on both of them. No mention of actually pairing them in the bluetooth settings screen. Just having BT turned on.

That's why asking what you want to accomplish is important, because again, pairing through the bluetooth settings in the devices is generally not required nor possible.