2017 iMac Bluetooth issues - turns itself off and on

[EugW]

I've had occasional Bluetooth disconnects previous, but this past week it's been especially bad. I'd just lose the mouse completely and it would never come back on its own. Weirdly enough, if I power cycled it and plugged it in to charge sometimes it would come back, even though the mouse was already mostly charged. Tried resetting the Bluetooth module in the debug menu but same problem occurred a day later.

My WiFi access point is near the computer, but WiFi on the iMac is turned off. Any WiFi use would usually be from someone else in the house, but I suspect they'd be on another WiFi access point since I have multiple in the house.

Keyboard hasn't been a problem, but that's because I've always used it plugged in.

But then I started losing the AirPods too. I've now unpaired everything and will re-pair everything when I get home.

I do have Apple Care until 2020, but I too suspect this is a software problem.

I have VPN software on the computer, but I'm not using VPN on that computer. I have a Windows box and a MacBook that I use for my VPN stuff. I do have Android File Transfer installed though, and it was only installed recently. I will try uninstalling that. Is there any special way to do a complete uninstall of that software, or can I just drag it to the trash?

 

[EugW]

I do have Android File Transfer installed though, and it was only installed recently. I will try uninstalling that. Is there any special way to do a complete uninstall of that software, or can I just drag it to the trash?

I just dragged Android File Transfer to the trash two days ago and I haven't had problems since. But I was having problems even when Android File Transfer wasn't running. It was just installed on the machine.

How does Android File Transfer affect the iMac's Bluetooth when Android File Transfer isn't even running?

 

[Cladster]

I can’t get my new Bose qc35 to connect to my iMac, doesn’t show up in Bluetooth preferences, connect to iPad iPhone ok, any ideas?

 

[EugW]

I just dragged Android File Transfer to the trash two days ago and I haven't had problems since. But I was having problems even when Android File Transfer wasn't running. It was just installed on the machine.

How does Android File Transfer affect the iMac's Bluetooth when Android File Transfer isn't even running?

It's been another week, and no mouse BT connection problems. So it really was Android File Transfer.

 

[Nintendo64]

It's been another week, and no mouse BT connection problems. So it really was Android File Transfer.

Great to hear it worked for you. I deleted the app as well and haven't had any issues for an entire month. The app didn't work that great before anyways, so I'm not sorry to see it go.

 

[wardie]

I still have this problem... strangely no similar issues on my new Mac mini though even using the _same_ USB3 peripherals... odd.

 

[a.spilevoj]

OK. I just bought the new iMac 27 i5 and started having same issues with the bluetooth, but in my case the BT would turn off completely until I restart. No other solution would work, only restart. So I read your forum, followed few steps, including one that is from YouTube and so far I am good:
1. Removed Android Transfer app (that changed the way the BT was switching off - now I still had BT but it would not connect back to my mouse and keyboard, but at least it would still be on)
2. Run the sudo line in Terminal:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.airport.bt.plist bluetoothCoexMgmt Hybrid
P.S. Thanks to @campyguy
3. Watched that video and followed the steps:

If earlier my BT would go off almost every time I wake up iMac - now I do not experience nay issues. Well I have only 12hrs experience since I run all the 3 steps last night but since then so far no problems anymore.

I read some smart people comments and it looks like BT is conflicting with Wi-Fi 2.5gHz. So the steps above fixed that somehow (at least for now). Hope it will also help you too.

 

[a.spilevoj]

Good few days later: SOLVED!!! No more issues with the BT. Read the post above and follow the steps - it helps.

 

[BeatCrazy]

OK. I just bought the new iMac 27 i5 and started having same issues with the bluetooth, but in my case the BT would turn off completely until I restart. No other solution would work, only restart. So I read your forum, followed few steps, including one that is from YouTube and so far I am good:
1. Removed Android Transfer app (that changed the way the BT was switching off - now I still had BT but it would not connect back to my mouse and keyboard, but at least it would still be on)
2. Run the sudo line in Terminal:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.airport.bt.plist bluetoothCoexMgmt Hybrid
P.S. Thanks to @campyguy
3. Watched that video and followed the steps:

If earlier my BT would go off almost every time I wake up iMac - now I do not experience nay issues. Well I have only 12hrs experience since I run all the 3 steps last night but since then so far no problems anymore.

I read some smart people comments and it looks like BT is conflicting with Wi-Fi 2.5gHz. So the steps above fixed that somehow (at least for now). Hope it will also help you too.

Old post, but I was having this same issue. I think this solved it. Thanks for your post.