Level 1

21 points

Bluetooth connectivity issues

Anyone else have bluetooth issues with their 2018 Mac mini? Particularly with audio devices.

Whenever I connect with AirPods or a bluetooth speaker, the sound cuts in and out. Also when I connect, the output doesn't automatically switch to the bluetooth device and when I try to manually connect it only works 50 percent of the time. I usually have to remove the bluetooth device and re-sync.

I've waited so long for a Mac mini update and the fact that this new one doesn't work properly is killing me. I'm thinking of just returning it if this bluetooth issue doesn't resolve itself.

Mac mini (2018), macOS Mojave (10.14.1), null

Posted on Nov 20, 2018 7:33 PM

Top-ranking reply

Ed_Hawco

Level 1

13 points

Posted on Dec 30, 2018 2:54 PM

I had Bluetooth issues with my new MacMini 2018 from the beginning. The new KB was mostly OK (occasional disconnect, but rarely) and the new Magic Trackpad 2 was mostly OK (occasional disconnect; more frequent than the KB, but not by much). However, my older Magic Mouse was unusable. It was constantly disconnecting and reconnecting, and was really jittery when it was connected. It was worse when an external drive (USB-3) was hooked up and in operation.

I tried all the usual things - securing the batteries, deleting the mouse preferences, etc. Some of those things would work for a few minutes but then the problem would come back. Finally I started thinking about my WiFi router. It's a pretty old Airport Extreme, single band, on 2.4GHz. I've been wanting to upgrade it anyway, so I got a new (non-Apple) dual band router and hooked it up.

End of Bluetooth problems. As long as I'm signed in to the 5GHz network, all devices work flawlessly. If I switch to the new router's 2.4 GHz band, it works OK for a while but soon starts to degrade again.

This is not intuitive. What does the Wifi band have to do with Bluetooth devices? Well, it's above my pay grade, but I do know that USB-3 works on 2.4 GHz, so somehow the Wifi using that band messes up some BT connections. Regardless of why, this solution worked for me. AFAIK most routers are dual band these days so you probably don't even need to buy a new one. Just make sure you have a network on 5GHz and use that.

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145 replies

Dec 23, 2018 10:22 AM in response to jrmrt3

This problem has been driving me crazy since I picked up my new Mini last month. Mouse and keyboard drop in and out. Sometimes constantly, other times they work fine for hours. Have new batteries etc. I updated from an iMac 27" and I'm using all the same peripherals. Took several minutes to type this message with keyboard disconnecting and connecting while I tried to type. Who has time for this?? So disappointed with this new Mini. Please help.

Dec 28, 2018 6:57 AM in response to jrmrt3

I have experienced similar issues, specifically with my Magic mouse 2 becoming unresponsive & occasionally losing connection. In addition it is failing more frequently to unlock with my 3rd gen AppleWatch saying the signal is too week despite it being 2 feet away from the Mac Mini.

cai49

Level 1

4 points

Dec 29, 2018 8:35 PM in response to jrmrt3

Having the same issue, making me want to return the Mac Mini. It will disconnect from my magic keyboard and Magic Trackpad periodically. It become worse if I am connecting my Mac Mini to Samsung Smart TV via HDMI cable. (will disconnect every few minutes). Try all the methods all I can find online, still don't work.

Dec 31, 2018 1:39 PM in response to TomGB

Same!!!

I believe there is a fundamental flaw with the way apple handles bluetooth devices. I upgraded from my 2012 Mac mini, hoping things would be better, and I can't believe it's still having terrible bluetooth issues on the latest release.

Pretty much considering returning it!!! Never had to do this with an Apple product before. These things aren't a reasonable price when you compare to other companies offerings so it's a shame.

tburzio

Level 1

13 points

Dec 31, 2018 1:59 PM in response to lllaass

Sorry, I keep getting Lightning and Thunderbolt mixed up. Of course, the four Thunderbolt ports on the Mini are really for testing and gaining experience on what Apple is REALLY doing in San Diego, and it has nothing to do with new phone chips...

cai49

Level 1

4 points

Jan 1, 2019 2:45 PM in response to jrmrt3

I connect my Mac Mini to Samsung Smart TV via HDMI cable. (Besides this, there is no other port being plugged in). My Magic Keyboard 2 and Magic Trackpad are connection to the Mac Mini via bluetooth. Both of them will disconnect pretty often (once a few minutes, or a few seconds). However, If I switch my TV to Dell monitor, the disconnection seldom appear. Anyone know why it has such big difference? My WiFi is in 2.4 GHz channel though.

cai49

Level 1

4 points

Jan 1, 2019 3:13 PM in response to nafenminjator

Unfortunately the router I bought only support 2.4GHz. But if WiFI is the problem, I can try using Ethernet to see how it works.

Btw, It suddenly works well (connected to TV), only disconnected once during the entire afternoon.

cai49

Level 1

4 points

Jan 1, 2019 6:10 PM in response to jrmrt3

Just learn a new trick today, would like to share it here, in case someone like me never aware of it....

If you charge the keyboard/trackpad on Mac Mini (connect it with the lighting to USB cable), the keyboard/trackpad will turn into a wired keyboard/trackpad. This may be a temporary resolution.

Jan 1, 2019 6:58 PM in response to cai49

I just put my Magic Trackpad 2 on a lightning cable wired to my 2018 Mini. The trackpad has been freezing and disconnecting multiple times a day for several days. I'll report if using it as a wired trackpad has any effect.

Jan 3, 2019 6:21 PM in response to cai49

Since I connected my Trackpad 2 to my Mini I've had on problem with it. I'm not sure that the problem is with the Mini. The Bluetooth extended keyboard and various headphones have no connectivity issues with the Mini; it is just the trackpad for me.

Jan 26, 2019 1:13 PM in response to Buster_From_Oak_Park

If it was a USB issue, would turning off wi-fi make the problem go away? I have USB C, 3, and 2 devices connected directly and through hubs. By turning off wi-fi only, why do my bluetooth devices work?

I am not saying that there may not be USB issues; however, I do not think it is the issue that I am having.

Jan 26, 2019 2:12 PM in response to JimFerguson

You asked for help - I answered.

If you do not like the answer I have given, or have not bothered to read the link I posted, then solve the problem yourself. I am not here to force anyone to do anything. I wish you the best of luck, but I will not assist you any more.

Feb 4, 2019 9:33 AM in response to ukwoodgnome

I feel your frustrations more than I articulate. I do not know what is going on with Apple lately. The silence and apparent denial on their end is not helping matters either. It only serves to spark more and more outrage. There are a number of issues that have escaped Apple QC that have blown my mind. T2 chips issues that are still lingering that began back with the iMP, throttling issues, keyboards issues, thermal issues, screen issues, OS bugs, etc etc etc... You get the point. I dearly miss Steve Jobs.

Feb 6, 2019 11:49 AM in response to Bluejedi007

Precisely. Which is why I say Buster works for Apple. That is Apple’s default go to. You’re using it wrong even though you’ve used other Apple stuff precisely like this before and it worked perfectly. We at Apple do not make mistakes. When we at almighty Apple screw up you must adapt and change your normal operating procedures. Buy another dongle!

Feb 6, 2019 2:59 PM in response to Bluejedi007

No, you simply do not understand the forces at play here.

Equipment Authorization Procedures

... is a good place to start if one desires to begin gaining knowledge into some of the forces at play here. After reading that, one should start to understand why Apple can't "just fix it", and the rules governing Apple's behavior are most definitely fluid.

Truth be told, it's a minor engineering miracle that Apple has done this well.

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Bluetooth connectivity issues