Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Be wary buying MX Master 3 for Mac
- Thread starter tarantulasloomlarge
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have used the MX Keys and MX Master 3 on Mac Mini and MBA both on Big Sur. Never required a dongle.
No, a dongle is not required. I don't think you're following. It's been widely reported that certain Logitech mice, including the MX-series, do not have smooth motion on Macs when connected via Bluetooth. So I was asking you your experience. You say the mouse pointer movement is smooth ("no issues"), so I was asking what your setup is -- Intel or M1 chips, models, OS version.
These mice do, however, demonstrate smooth movement when connected with Logitech's proprietary RF dongle.
If you're getting smooth motion, that's awesome and many of us would like to know "how" so we can also have a good experience with these devices. I happen to have several Logitech mice both at home and at work that have stuttery motion on the Mac when connected to Bluetooth.
I also have a decade-old Logitech Bluetooth-only mouse that is perfectly smooth, so I personally believe it's due to the chipset that Logitech uses these days.
All I can tell you is I get no stutter, no idea why. Could be that I am not sensitive to it I guess. But then I am using it now and seems as smooth as anything I have used.
Edit - Just got the logi dongle out of the box and paired with it, no difference that I can see.
Last edited:
I had the original MX Master and upgraded to the MX Master 3 for Mac a couple months ago, just before buying my M1 Mac Mini. I've yet to have a problem. Occasionally the Logitech Daemon will freak out and stop working, at which point none of my hot key settings work, but a quick reboot and it's fixed. Currently having no problems and I'm basically only using it on my M1 Mac mini now, running 11.2.3
I have both the regular version and Mac version of the MX Master 3. Neither work smoothly with Bluetooth on my M1 MacBook Air. Previously I had an Intel Mac Mini and had the same issue with the normal MX Master 3.
I had an extra dongle, so I've been using that when connected to a monitor. I haven't experienced any of the issues with settings mentioned by the OP.
I had an extra dongle, so I've been using that when connected to a monitor. I haven't experienced any of the issues with settings mentioned by the OP.
I have the regular version of the MX Master 3. After uninstalling the Logi software I have not had any issues on my MBP. Not using the dongle at all. Their software caused me many headaches, from stoping the scroll wheel to having the media keys not work on the MX Keys. Glad I uninstalled it.
I have an old logitech mouse that uses bcm chip and it is smooth.
But most newer logitech mice are using different chips and they are stuttering and lagging every 10 seconds.
But most newer logitech mice are using different chips and they are stuttering and lagging every 10 seconds.
Exactly. Not sure why some people don't experience this (and insist they're not using the RF dongle).
Yup, definitely something with the bluetooth. I have M1 Mac Mini, M1 BMP, M1 MBA. All are having exact same problems with the logitech bluetooth mice. I can say it is not because of interference. I even turned off all 2.4ghz wifi just to test.
And took my MBP out to an open area with no wireless signal. Same problems.
Have you tried updating the firmware on the MX3 through Logitech options? it helped with the stupid stuttering for me. Also, instead of using the hdmi audio from my 144hz gaming display, I’m using the audio out from my usb C hub which also helped with performance. Not sure if the issues are related. Like many others, the dongle eliminates all issues.
I did firmware update a while back. I think that firmware update was actually fixing a vulnerability of the unify receiver.
And you are right, the dongle eliminates the issues, but with bluetooth I can actually switch to different mac without having to have up to three dongles.
I ran across this issue as well with my MX3 Master and ProKeys. I have the MX series that is compatible with Windows and Mac.
I get the laggy cursor and I have issues with disconnections once the Mac goes into sleep mode. Even when I have the dongle plugged in, I have to use and Magic Trackpad and keyboard to log in and then they accessories register again. Extremely frustrating.
I get the laggy cursor and I have issues with disconnections once the Mac goes into sleep mode. Even when I have the dongle plugged in, I have to use and Magic Trackpad and keyboard to log in and then they accessories register again. Extremely frustrating.
Just checked and saw Logitech has a new firmware update for MX key on 4-15-2021. Don't know if it fixes anything?
Last edited:
I'm wondering if the problem is with M1/BigSur, Bluetooth or Logitech because there are no issues with at all with the PC and Intel Macs
I've been resisting purchasing a MX Master 3 for so long. Too many people claimed it was the best mouse to be had, and I finally gave in. Now that I've had it for a week, I'm really regretting the decision and will probably return.
- On the positive side, it fits the hand nicely. That's about the only nice thing to say about it.
- It looks cheap.
- It feels really lightweight and cheap.
- The buttons and scroll wheel are not solid and have quite a bit of "play" to them
- Scrolling is stutter-y and not smooth like it is with the built in trackpad, the Magic Mouse, or the Magic Trackpad.
- Worst of all: it fails miserably at being a reliable mouse. Movement of the cursor lags behind your movement of the actual mouse. It stutters and jumps. It makes using the mouse an exercise in extreme frustration.
This appears to be Apple's fault in that macOS does not play nicely with the Bluetooth chipsets in modern Logitech mice. Appears that not everyone has the issue, but many do (maybe most and they just don't notice/care).
You've got two options:
- return the mouse and exchange it for the non-Mac MX version, which comes with the Logitech proprietary USB RF dongle; the mouse's movement is very smooth paired with the dongle. Or you can pair it with any other Logitech Unifying dongle if you've got one left over from another Logitech mouse.
- return the mouse and exchange it for something other than a Logitech brand mouse.
The cursor lag/jerky movements every 8/9 seconds is the worst. I think it’s a problem with their hardware and the M1 Bluetooth stack/hardware. Doesn’t happen with other brands.
Only the two “Logi” mice I have.
Stop waiting just move on, I got a trackpad and it’s fine.
don’t buy Logitech.
Trust me.
Only the two “Logi” mice I have.
Stop waiting just move on, I got a trackpad and it’s fine.
don’t buy Logitech.
Trust me.
I’m using the MX Master 3 and MX Keys with the dongle, if I use bluetooth it’s a bit stuttery looking. No issues with the dongle and the M1 Mac Mini.
I have both the MX Keys and MX Master 3, PC version, M1 mini and USB dongle. Works flawlessly. I would respectfully disagree that it feels cheap or that there is any play with the buttons, although I appreciate this is subjective. I have an Intel NUC on my desk as well and there is no better solution on the market that I'm aware of for quickly switching between two systems using a single keyboard and mouse.