Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

⏺ Join the discussion

⏺ Press release 

⏺ Learn more

⏺ Watch the video

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple’s new MacBook Pro features the incredibly powerful M4 family of chips and ushers in a new era with Apple Intelligence. Learn more >

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Boohlin
Boohlin Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Can't pair bluetooth mouse to macbook pro

Hi


I got an old (late 2011) MacBook Pro at work and when i tried to pair my Microsoft Designer Mouse with it it doesn't even show up in the Bluetooth preferences.


The thing is I have a MacBook Pro at home. Also late 2011. And I can pair the mouse with it. The only difference between the computers are that mine has 8GB of RAM and the one from my employer has 4GB. That shouldn't be the problem though because i also have a MacBook Air with 4GB of RAM and the mouse pairs with that.


I've tried to Reset PRAM and SMC without any luck. I found this: https://christopher-parsons.com/solved-bluetooth-devices-not-connecting-to-osx/ and tried it without luck.


I don't know what to do. Please help.


Best regards Tommy Dahlgren, Sweden

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6)

Posted on Sep 12, 2018 2:17 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: sterling r
sterling r
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Sep 12, 2018 2:33 PM

Hey Boohlin,

I see you're having some trouble pairing your MacBook Pro at work to your Bluetooth mouse, although the mouse works with other MacBooks. I can help look into this with you.

You've done some great troubleshooting already with resetting the NVRAM and SMC. Do you have other Bluetooth devices working on the MacBook Pro at work? If so, try deleting those devices and seeing if the mouse appears. Here's how to unpair previous devices. The resource with these steps can be found in the link below:

Remove a Bluetooth device from your Mac

If you want to remove (unpair) a Bluetooth device from your Mac's device list, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
  2. Hover the pointer over the device you want to remove, then click the button User uploaded file that appears next to the device's name.

After you remove a Bluetooth device, you'll have to repeat the pairing process if you want to use it again.


If you don't have any other Bluetooth devices connected, try connecting something other than the mouse to see if other Bluetooth devices are working. Also, since this happens at work, make sure there aren't any potential issues with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interference that could be causing this issue:

Fix interference from other household devices

Bluetooth shares the 2.4 GHz ISM band with other household devices such as cordless telephones, wireless networks, baby monitors, and microwave ovens. If you see issues with your Bluetooth devices that you suspect might be due to frequency congestion, see AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of wireless interference for further information.


Using a Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, or trackpad with your Mac - Apple Support
Hope this helps. Take care!

View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: sterling r
sterling r
User level: Community Specialist

Sep 12, 2018 2:33 PM in response to Boohlin

Hey Boohlin,

I see you're having some trouble pairing your MacBook Pro at work to your Bluetooth mouse, although the mouse works with other MacBooks. I can help look into this with you.

You've done some great troubleshooting already with resetting the NVRAM and SMC. Do you have other Bluetooth devices working on the MacBook Pro at work? If so, try deleting those devices and seeing if the mouse appears. Here's how to unpair previous devices. The resource with these steps can be found in the link below:

Remove a Bluetooth device from your Mac

If you want to remove (unpair) a Bluetooth device from your Mac's device list, follow these steps:

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
  2. Hover the pointer over the device you want to remove, then click the button User uploaded file that appears next to the device's name.

After you remove a Bluetooth device, you'll have to repeat the pairing process if you want to use it again.


If you don't have any other Bluetooth devices connected, try connecting something other than the mouse to see if other Bluetooth devices are working. Also, since this happens at work, make sure there aren't any potential issues with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interference that could be causing this issue:

Fix interference from other household devices

Bluetooth shares the 2.4 GHz ISM band with other household devices such as cordless telephones, wireless networks, baby monitors, and microwave ovens. If you see issues with your Bluetooth devices that you suspect might be due to frequency congestion, see AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of wireless interference for further information.


Using a Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, or trackpad with your Mac - Apple Support
Hope this helps. Take care!

Reply

Can't pair bluetooth mouse to macbook pro

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up