Level 1

31 points

Unable to rename bluetooth device

I'm not sure if this is related to newly released macOS 10.12.4 but i re-added once of my Bluetooth devices after the upgrade and i'm unable to rename it via Bluetooth preference pane. The device is connecting and working properly, it's just the name that can't be set anymore. The rename action simply does not do anything.

I already tried

1) Re-adding device

2) Deleting the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file, restarting and re-adding the device.

3) Resetting PRAM

Anyone else seeing this? Any ideas?

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016), macOS Sierra (10.12.4)

Posted on Mar 28, 2017 11:35 AM

30 replies

roele Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 29, 2017 10:25 AM in response to Teddy_B

Labels don't seem to change even after 5mins. Tried adding a new device (my iPhone7) but shows the same behaviour. Created a new user and tried changing the device names within that user account but with the same results.

tmlamku

Level 1

4 points

Aug 20, 2017 9:19 AM in response to RChrisley

I had this issue also. I called Apple Support and they were stated this bug has not been fixed. However, I was able to resolve it.

My computer is a 2015 MacBook Pro running 10.12.4. I have both a Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and Magic Trackpad 2. When both devices were connected via USB, I could not rename the device. However, I found that when the items were disconnected via USB, but connected by Bluetooth, I was able to rename them. I hope this helps!

rawsaxy

Level 1

126 points

Aug 20, 2017 10:42 AM in response to Old Toad

I understand that. I'm just surprised the original poster would mark i_rina's reply of being able to reproduce the issue (but no way to fix it) as a solution, when it does not resolve the original poster's problem.

gwchang

Level 1

4 points

Aug 23, 2017 7:55 PM in response to roele

I had the same problem on my iMac after getting the new keyboard with keypad and the new trackpad. Since I didn't unpair my old devices, it gave me "Keyboard #1" and "Trackpad #1" Like most people here, I tried renaming it through the bluetooth menu, but the names wouldn't change. How I ended up fixing the problem was resetting the Bluetooth Module and Resetting Apple Devices following the instructions here:

OS X’s Hidden Bluetooth Debug Menu: Reset Devices and More – The Mac Observer

After doing that, I had to re-pair my devices (I used screen sharing, but you may need a USB mouse to do so). Once that was done, I was able to get the new names to stick.

rawsaxy

Level 1

126 points

Aug 24, 2017 10:30 AM in response to gwchang

Actually, I haven't had any problems renaming my wireless keyboard or magic trackpad. What I encounter is that the system won't allow me to rename any non-Apple bluetooth device, yet pre-Sierra OS I was able to.

phuslu

Level 1

4 points

Jun 18, 2017 7:50 PM in response to roele

Please see [unable to update itunes](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7927709)

roele Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 29, 2017 9:28 AM in response to raina_b22

None of the devices (Philips Adapter AEA 2500/12, Bose Mini SoundLink) gets renamed even if renaming is done while they are in connected state.

roele Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 29, 2017 10:58 AM in response to Teddy_B

Tried observing the console for errors but only Bluetooth related entry i can find is the following

[UICollectionView] _animateRenamingUI renameField = Philips

roele Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 29, 2017 11:35 AM in response to i_rina

Thanks!

Since this is reproducible on other devices i assume it's a bug. I'm fine with that and am looking forward to a possible fix in an upcoming update.

RonZ0215

Level 1

13 points

May 25, 2017 8:32 PM in response to roele

I have the issue on 10.12.5 😢

oh74

Level 1

4 points

Jun 15, 2017 3:27 AM in response to roele

I run 10.12.5 and also have this issue.

I noticed I can change the name of my BT mouse, but not of the BT speaker I am using.

Jul 19, 2017 2:38 PM in response to roele

I'm having the same problem. MacBook Pro 15", software up to date, can't rename any devices.

I'm not happy with Apple's 'wait and see' answer on this.

Aug 8, 2017 5:24 PM in response to roele

2015 MBP 15" same issue, can't rename Magic Trackpad.

gnyl

Level 1

4 points

Aug 21, 2017 12:55 PM in response to roele

I have the same issue (unable to rename bluetooth devices).

OS X 10.12.6, MBA 13" early 2014.

Aug 31, 2017 1:56 AM in response to roele

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) macOS 10.12.6 and can't rename any bluetooth devices despite the user (i have only one user: admin)

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Unable to rename bluetooth device