2018 Mac Mini bluetooth and Wi-Fi interference

Same problem here. I had thought that the Mac Mini 2018 was one of the few products that Apple were producing that didn't have an engineering defect in it. Apparently it isn't. I have a MacBook Pro as well as my Mini, any possible interference would affect that machine as well, as it sits DIRECTLY above where my Mini is located for most of the day. It has NONE of the same issues. Bent iPads, failing keyboards, internal cables that break, batteries that are suddenly being drained at a rapid rate on iOS devices, the list of hardware and software failures at this stage with Apple is too long to even list. I'm done with them. If they can't get their act together and make hardware and software free of defects, I'll spend my money elsewhere.

I have no brief for Apple but this is not strictly a problem with the Mac mini - it's the low quality cables and shielding on external USB-C devices.

I have two USB-C to 3 x USB 3 hubs on my Mac mini - 2 from the same manufacturer work perfectly, the other needs foil wrapped around the cable to stop it licking bluetooth and WiFi.

What I find really annoying about Apple is its crazy policy of pushing connection standards that few others use and sending us all into dongle ****.

Unless that changes my 2015 MBPro with convenient USB 3 and HDMI ports and and SD Card slot (plus2 useless Thunderbolt 2 ports) will be my last. With the Mac mini it's not so bad as it - and it's current 3 dongles - is not moved around.

Like you, upgraded from 2012 to 2018. A little sad and excited. Though six year, my 2012 (quad core) never missed a beat and everything - just worked.

Unfortunately, Wifi & Bluetooth dropouts on my 2018 model have been nothing but trouble. That is, until I changed my modem Wifi setting from to 5ghz.

No drop outs. Older usb cables work and problem solved. If it wasn't for the forum, I would have taken it back. Struggled through for almost two months.

Still glad I upgraded, however, find myself thinking of the previous trouble free experience....

Like you, upgraded from 2012 to 2018. A little sad and excited. Though six year, my 2012 (quad core) never missed a beat and everything - just worked.

Unfortunately, Wifi & Bluetooth dropouts on my 2018 model have been nothing but trouble. That is, until I changed my modem Wifi setting to 5ghz.

Since then, no drop outs. Older usb cables work and problem solved. If it wasn't for the forum, I would have taken it back. Struggled through for almost two months.

Still glad I upgraded, however, find myself thinking of the previous trouble free experience....

Initially, I had 2.4 and 5 available. Reduced dropouts as Mini used 5ghz channel. Issue arose for kids/visitors/work hardware where internal settings defaulted to 2.4ghz - then issues again. Turned 2.4ghz off. If older device, well, there is always 4g. So far, haven't come across that issue.

I’ve finally waved the white flag on this and purchased an Alienware 17R5 laptop for daily duties. The Mac Mini is now purely used for managing my photo library as I’ve not yet been able to find a suitable mechanism to relocate my photos into a Windows based application.

The 17R5 runs rings round the Mac for daily duties, faster to boot up, better for running Office apps, hugely better for games, but still suffers the occasional Windows OS quirk (one of which is supporting a .Mac mail address).

I've switched my MacMini to Ethernet, but the mouse performance on Bluetooth is still pitiful in respect of range and consistency, it’s started eating batteries which suggests there is a connectivity issue, the boot up time is terrible given the boot drive is SSD and all media is off board on an external SSD connected via thunderbolt. I run almost no extra apps beyond what the computer arrived with so it’s not filled with crap, and the boot SSD has at least 60% capacity remaining. Apps hang unexpectedly (iPhoto / Mail), so on the whole it’s been a fairly unsatisfactory ownership experience compared to my 2014 Mini.

Will try try and wrap the USB-C cable I am using for a hub (SD card slot & additional USB 3 ports), and if it doesn’t improve I’ll see if I can remove it until I need to use it.

Somewhat reassured it's not just my machine that is showing issues, but many thanks to everyone on here for the shared experiences and input, it’s much more helpful than Apple’s support.

Update... after several days of testing, I've FINALLY managed to keep the magic mouse connected. EVERY SINGLE cable is wrapped in aluminum foil about 6 - 7 " from the connector at the back of the mac. AND, the USB-C hub is also wrapped in foil as well. If any of these cables are not wrapped, it drops. WiFi speeds are averaging 50 - 60 mbps. (BTW... my wired computer maxes out at 500Mbps every time).

Been talking with several people at IT places. They have noticed that a lot of new laptops (that have USB-C connectors) have the insides of their cases sprayed with a copper paint. Perhaps coating the cables with a product like that might help and would look better than it does now.

Jan 21st: “. I have nothing new from my Mac Min 2012 setup to my new 2018 setup.”

April 9th: “...everything worked fine on the mac mini 2014. ...and NO USB-C or USB 3 cords in use when this happens. “

April 14th: “AND, the USB-C hub is also wrapped in foil as well.”

There are contradictions in your updates, nevertheless it does look like your setup is suffering from “peripheral obesity”. The mini ‘18 has 6 USB ports, the use of a hub is mostly unnecessary. The LAN port easily delivers 1 Gbps - no issue.

The point is, when you’re moving from an older Mini, you should spend some time optimizing your configuration. Leave the old for the new wherever possible. Maybe your next update should be a USB inventory (so it can be slimmed down), and also your Router/WiFi setup (if you’re up to it).

I have found certain USB 3 devices and hubs interfere badly with the Magic Mouse and occasionally the KB (causing lost connections).

I bought a new mini last week and I thought I had a hardware problem, Magic Mouse was almost impossible to use.

Then I read up on how USB 3 can sometimes seriously interfere with bluetooth.

BTW, I am using the far left USB A socket on the mini. As yet no TB/USB 3 devices.

I started unplugging USB 3 devices, nothing attached, mouse behaves normal!

First off my TM drive is USB 3, connected direct to mini, it interferes with mouse, it runs off the USB A socket on mini.

Belkin USB 3 hub, this interferes with or without devices attached. It runs off the same USB A socket.

Then I tried my super el cheapo, Chinese knockoff USB 3 hub, using the USB A socket.......ZERO interference, even with the TM drive and other drives attached.

Quite a bizarre outcome. The Belkin cable looks much beefier than the cheapo hub cable. I have read that cables need to be high grade and well shielded.

So what gives? I'd like to get the Caldigit TS3, but wary of spending a lot of $$ on something that might interfere.

Anyone has a mini and the Calgit?

Clearly this is not especially an Apple hardware issue.

Hoping this has helped others.

I posted on this thread about my experiences with Magic Mouse and new mini. I have two hubs, one is expensive Belkin 4 port USB3 hub with beefy looking cable and the other is a cheapo Chinese with very thin USB cable.

Belkin interferes, with or without devices attached. Cheapo Chinese, zero mouse issues.

Unfortunately, that solution didn't hold up longterm. I ditched the apple magic mouse and bought a bluetooth mouse (BlackWeb form Walmart $24.99 in Canada). So far, it hasn't dropped out yet. Had it about two weeks. Hopefully, this is it.

This is what gave me the clue:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8511706

Had the same probleM. Found a device that was causing noise To the Mac mini but hadnt to the imac. Once I removed the device everything worked. The Mac mini has a low noise tolerance

Having same issue with Bluetooth consistency after moving from mini 2012 to 2018. Can you share what device was causing the interference?

Exactly the same here plus when it does work incredibly slow WiFi Speeds. All the other Macs and MacBook Pro are fine, not feeling the love....