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Does Mac mouse/keyboard work well with Catalina?

L

levmc

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 18, 2019
687
25
I heard that only some brands of bluetooth keyboard/mouse doesn't work well with Catalina. (Have disconnecting problem). Does the ones that come with an iMac work well?

I recently upgraded to Mojave, but the problem of taking a long time to wake is unbearable. Some people suggested doing something with the terminal but it seems quite complicated. I would just switch to a different OS.
 
i don't understand. you heard? where did you hear this? :rolleyes:

everyone i know on catalina (including myself, with an imac) have no issue with our (apple) keyboards and mice with bluetooth. anyway, just wondering where you got your information....
 
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fisherking said:
i don't understand. you heard? where did you hear this? :rolleyes:

everyone i know on catalina (including myself, with an imac) have no issue with our (apple) keyboards and mice with bluetooth. anyway, just wondering where you got your information....
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C'mon, man. He's looking to the forum to help him out, no reason to attack his sources.
 
levmc said:
I heard that only some brands of bluetooth keyboard/mouse doesn't work well with Catalina. (Have disconnecting problem). Does the ones that come with an iMac work well?

I recently upgraded to Mojave, but the problem of taking a long time to wake is unbearable. Some people suggested doing something with the terminal but it seems quite complicated. I would just switch to a different OS.
Click to expand...

They work as well as any BT peripherals.
 
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26139 said:
Why does it matter? Does that help you in sharing if BT keyboards work well with Catalina?
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why doesn't it matter? "i heard that macbook air use causes men to grow boobs"... i heard it, so i hope the community here can help... :rolleyes:

if the OP's best friend's cousin's mom's new boyfriend told this (about the bt keyboard thing)... that's a lot different than, say, thousands posting about it online.

so, it's not unreasonable to want to know the source of OP's information.
 
I don't use BT. I use a wired Logitech G910 KB and a wireless Logitech Master MX mouse with the Logitech Unifying Receiver. I can't for the life of me understand the draw of a wireless KB 1387914497.gif

I have used BT mouses in years past, but over time I have found the Logitech Unifying Receiver to be more reliable.

Lou
 
levmc said:
I heard that only some brands of bluetooth keyboard/mouse doesn't work well with Catalina. (Have disconnecting problem). Does the ones that come with an iMac work well?

I recently upgraded to Mojave, but the problem of taking a long time to wake is unbearable. Some people suggested doing something with the terminal but it seems quite complicated. I would just switch to a different OS.
Click to expand...
Been using Catalina on 3 iMacs and 1 MBP since it was beta. While beta had many issues ( more than normal betas ) I never had an issue with any of the Magic Mice (gen1 & 2), Magic Keyboards (gen1 & 2) and Apple Trackpads.

Other bluetooth devices will be only as reliable as their integrated bluetooth radio/antenna.
Some manufactures create fantastic devices, some do not.
 
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The Apple Keyboard and Mouse are probably going to be the ONLY KB & Mouse that DON'T have problems... especially with the next version of macOS, which is killing the ability for apps & utilities to install KEXT files - which almost all mouse/keyboard drivers use.
 
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MacGizmo said:
The Apple Keyboard and Mouse are probably going to be the ONLY KB & Mouse that DON'T have problems... especially with the next version of macOS, which is killing the ability for apps & utilities to install KEXT files - which almost all mouse/keyboard drivers use.
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i have no issues with my imac's keyboard and mouse, but i mostly use a kanex bt keyboard (for it's backlight; c'mon apple, give us a backlit keyboard!). no issues (just sometimes takes a minute to connect, when i have to sign in). otherwise, it's great.
 
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Apple‘s keyboard and mice and trackpads work just fine with Apple notebook and desktop computers. Regardless of MacOS version.

Duh.
 
jtara said:
Apple‘s keyboard and mice and trackpads work just fine with Apple notebook and desktop computers. Regardless of MacOS version.

Duh.
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They didn't work very well with my High Sierra. It would disconnect numerous times throughout the day.
 
If you are running High Sierra, I assume you have an older Mac.

What version of Bluetooth does it support?

I have bluetooth dongles plugged into USB on my 2008 Aluminum MacBook (running Catalina!) and 2012 Mac Mini. I did this because then I can use aptX with my Sennheiser headset, as well as Handoff. When you plug in a Bluetooth dongle, it disables the internal Bluetooth.

If you do this, you can run a USB cable, you can route it under your desk so that it’s right under your mouse/keyboard.

I’ve never needed to do this with Mac/Bluetooth, but I did used to do this with a Logitech Unifying Receiver.

I abandoned Logitech when they stopped making left-handed mice.

I’ve always used a hard-wired keyboard. A Unicomp clickey keyboard with an IBM Model M pedigree.
 
I edit audio with Pro Tools and use the old Apple USB extended keyboard and old mouse with the little roller ball. (I know ancient stuff). Anyway, my work just purchased the new Apple Macbook 16 inch with the latest OS. The MacBook will not recognize that the keyboard or mouse is connected to it. So, Apple keyboards/mice do not work with all OS or Apple computers. I'm still trying to find a solution.
 
Is there a reason why you need the Apple USB keyboard connected to your MacBook? As for a mouse, I am using a Logitech M325 Wireless mouse with my mid 2017 MacBook Air running the latest version of Catalina, and all is good. Also, I use an Apple Extended keyboard and a Logitech M525 Wireless Mouse with my late 2018 Mac Mini running again the latest version of Catalina, and all is well (I was using those same two devices on my late 2012 Mac Mini that I recently sold, again running OS 10.15.3, and again all was good).
 
honestone33 said:
Is there a reason why you need the Apple USB keyboard connected to your MacBook? As for a mouse, I am using a Logitech M325 Wireless mouse with my mid 2017 MacBook Air running the latest version of Catalina, and all is good. Also, I use an Apple Extended keyboard and a Logitech M525 Wireless Mouse with my late 2018 Mac Mini running again the latest version of Catalina, and all is well (I was using those same two devices on my late 2012 Mac Mini that I recently sold, again running OS 10.15.3, and again all was good).
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I use a lot of keyboard shortcuts and this is the keyboard I use at work and I want to use the same thing at home. The Macs at work are the old Pro desktops from 2012.
 
honestone33 said:
Understand. By the way, I just had the Apple extended keyboard connected to the other USB 3 port on my MacBook Air (along with the Logitech mouse connected to "its" USB 3 port (via its little wireless connector)), and the keyboard was recognized.
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Okay, thanks, not sure then why mine are not being recognized on the MacBook Pro. I'm using both now on the Mini on Mojave, so I know they work.
 
I experienced problems with BT disconnects with several keyboard and mouse combos and I think I got it sorted out. My hardware is a 2018 Mini and I was using the following devices:

Apple Magic Kybd (removable batteries)
Apple Magic Trackpad 2
HP USB mouse

The only device that never experienced a disconnect was the Magic kybd. The Trackpad 2 and HP mouse which was used as a backup when the Trackpad 2 would lose connection would also stop working about 5 mins after a cold boot. After that it worked flawlessly the rest of the day.

So I got to thinking and decided to buy a Magic Trackpad on Ebay (removable batts) and now all of my BT disconnects are a thing of the past. What’s weird is I have a 2012 Mini that never once had a BT disconnect with the Magic Trackpad 2.

I couldn’t tell you if the problem was because of Catalina, a driver or firmware issue or a cheap BT radio used in the 2018 Mini. I don’t recall having BT disconnects with Mojave.
 
Gave up on my Magic Mouse (not an issue with Catalina, just a habitual issue with Apple and their mice. Less form, more function, please), but my <$20 wireless Logitech M325 works exceedingly well with it. Still rely on my 2017 Air's keyboard, so can't attest to how that goes.
 
Bazza1 said:
Gave up on my Magic Mouse (not an issue with Catalina, just a habitual issue with Apple and their mice. Less form, more function, please), but my <$20 wireless Logitech M325 works exceedingly well with it. Still rely on my 2017 Air's keyboard, so can't attest to how that goes.
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Smart move! As I mentioned above, I am currently using 2 Logitech wireless mice, and am a happy camper! In fact, I have been using Logitech mice for quite a while, and never had an issue.
 
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