How are the M1 Mac Bluetooth Issues still not fixed in 2023?!??

[TheSynchronizer]

Do your ipad and mac use the same bluetooth version?

The antennas are also completely different - the mac may actually be more sensitive to interference since it's a larger footprint.

Yes, both the M1 iPad and M1 Macbook Air have Bluetooth 5.0 listed on the spec sheet.

Indeed the antenna and body designs are completely different and that probably has a lot to do with it, but considering that Apple mainly sells bluetooth accessories (Magic Mouse/Keyboard, AirPods/Beats), the MacBooks should at least be able to run a bluetooth mouse, keyboard and headphones simultaneously without issues. The iPad can do it after all. And if they can’t, that limitation should be clearly tested and stated.

Bluetooth 5.0 spec states that it supports 7 connections at once, so you’d expect at least 3 connections to work flawlessly, especially when it’s a premium device and when another device from the same generation can do it.

 

[AirpodsNow]

Case 2: M1 Macbook Air (in the exact same location) connected to TV using the exact same usb-c to HDMI dongle, connected by bluetooth to the exact same keyboard, mouse and Beats Studio Buds. Result: Audio 1-2s drop outs every 5-10 seconds consistently.

I feel you. I had a MBP 16 2019, the intel one, whenever I plugged in my USB-C hub, the wifi went down or showed dropped signal. After a lot of googling it was something to do with the 'intel' usb-c. I had to 'shield' off my usb-c cable or just put it on the other side, it was something counterintuitive. (after of course changing /resetting all the possible settings). I got the MBP 16 M1 now, and that didn't display the same issues I had, so that went away.

Anyways, I found another video about this stuff:

. But there can be 'hardware' issues with your problems rather than a software bug.

perhaps 'try' a different usb-c hub/cable or 'shield' it? I would expect the iPad is differently shielded than a MBA.

Note: I believe there was also a note about USB-C, but I can only find the USB 3.0 for now https://www.intel.com/content/dam/w...-papers/usb3-frequency-interference-paper.pdf

 

[TheSynchronizer]

I feel you. I had a MBP 16 2019, the intel one, whenever I plugged in my USB-C hub, the wifi went down or showed dropped signal. After a lot of googling it was something to do with the 'intel' usb-c. I had to 'shield' off my usb-c cable or just put it on the other side, it was something counterintuitive. (after of course changing /resetting all the possible settings). I got the MBP 16 M1 now, and that didn't display the same issues I had, so that went away.

Anyways, I found another video about this stuff:

. But there can be 'hardware' issues with your problems rather than a software bug.

perhaps 'try' a different usb-c hub/cable or 'shield' it? I would expect the iPad is differently shielded than a MBA.

Note: I believe there was also a note about USB-C, but I can only find the USB 3.0 for now https://www.intel.com/content/dam/w...-papers/usb3-frequency-interference-paper.pdf

Unfortunately I’ve also tried having the macbook sitting on a clean desk, nothing attached to it, and the bluetooth mouse, keyboard, and headphones combo still leads to audio cut outs. Same thing on the 14” M1 Pro. The iPad is fine no matter what.

I still have some steps to try that another user suggested, but it does seem like either Apple will eventually fix this 1-10 years down the line (if it’s a software issue), or the macbooks just have inferior bluetooth.

 

[TheSynchronizer]

There is definitely something going on with Logitech devices and Apple bluetooth. I'm not sure if its firmware or a driver, but something is off.

Although iPad and Mac are both running M1, they use vasty different parts. The bluetooth module is likely different with a different antenna. Also, considering the OS is different, it's likely the drivers and the firmware are different; so it may work fine on the iPad but still be problematic on the Mac.

Unfortunately, as everything works without the Logitech mouse connected, Apple is unlikely to be much help. I suggest you contact Logitech.

Lastly, if you plug the mouse dongle in directly to the computer, it will work much better. Get a thunderbolt dock or splitter dock if you don't have enough ports.

Yes, it's 2023 and we shouldn't have these problems, but ... it's 2023 and we live in a technological world where everything puts out RF and magnetic interference.

Good Luck!

Thank you

And yeah I know, it’s very “first world problems”, but it’s always annoying to find that out the hard way, especially when Apple spec sheets are always so limited in details.

I’ve resorted to just using my mouse on the USB dongle, leaving bluetooth for the keyboard and headphones and that works perfectly fine. So in a way my issue is resolved

 

[ls1dreams]

These have been unfixed like forever literally, obviously many people don't experience them, but also many do, like the audio cracking noise bug, took them only what... 4-5 years. At the end of the day, they don't care, unless it drives revenue, feedback is simply plain ignored. If we look at the state of many stock apps like Music, Safari, Messages, Mail... they are left in dust with the same & new bugs from worthless new features, with a nose dived UX.

The audio cracking bug is so annoying. Intermittent for me. I've just kind of given up on it.

 

[AirpodsNow]

Unfortunately I’ve also tried having the macbook sitting on a clean desk, nothing attached to it, and the bluetooth mouse, keyboard, and headphones combo still leads to audio cut outs. Same thing on the 14” M1 Pro. The iPad is fine no matter what.

I still have some steps to try that another user suggested, but it does seem like either Apple will eventually fix this 1-10 years down the line (if it’s a software issue), or the macbooks just have inferior bluetooth.

I am sure you tried these, but I just wanted to suggest 'just in case':

1) did you try disconnection the USB-C hub but only use the keyboard, mouse and headphone, does that still happens? If that happens, does it also happens when the MBA is on a different location of that TV? (try to move away from electricity cables or power brick etc).

2) Does it make a difference if you use one less device, or it always happens when the mouse is connected?

3) does it do the same thing with WIFI turned off?

4) did you try the entire setup, but then disconnect the HDMI from the dongle? and also keep it in the dongle but disconnect HDMI from TV, does that make a difference?

5) does it happens on 'both' USB-C ports

Just a few things I would suggest to see if there is actually a hardware combination issue.

p.s. and yes, there are plenty of people complaining about bluetooth issues on the MBA M1

 

[eicca]

I've resigned myself to having to use wired inputs when I upgrade from my trusty classic Mac Pro to an M2 Mini. But I justify it cuz I'm gonna have to use a KVM switch with my gaming PC.

 

[Wizec]

I’m getting rid of my M1 Air. I’ve hit more impactful operating system bugs since 2018 when I bought an Intel macbook pro, then switched to M1, than I have using using Windows since 2.0. To be clear, I said “impactful”, meaning they affect me day to day. I am not saying that Windows has had fewer bugs; it is rather buggy overall, but somehow I’ve only ever been impacted on a very rare basis by them.

 

[Danfango]

This is funny because I got rid of my original M1 Mac Mini because of BT and HDMI issues.

I have a **** PC here with a no brand bluetooth dongle that I paid £5 for that works perfectly. I'd have hoped Apple had fixed that crap by now.

 

[Bob_DM]

Bluetooth trackpad an Wacom intuos tablet where oké on my m1 mini. Apple Magic Mouse unusable. Disconnecting minutes after connection.
Found this: https://cleanmymac.com/blog/mac-mini-m1-bluetooth-issues
Resetting Bluetooth via terminal did the trick, it’s working fine now.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I never had any bluetooth issues with M1 Max. Did you use time machine to set up the Mac? I always setup my Macs fresh and copy the back files from storage backup.

 

[wlossw]

2.4ghz interference causes me so many bluetooth headaches. In my case sonos net messes with my airpods pro no matter what source ( appletv, mac or iphone). I suspect your wireless environnent might be the culprit.

 

[gradi]

Long standing never fixed basic bugs that users must live with and constantly be annoyed by is just part of the Apple Tax, I guess. I keep finding them. Not obscure things, basic things. Not a good way to go for a company that if it was a country would be the 8th richest in the world.

In this new video he complains about another longstanding, basic, never fixed bug. I have it cued up:

 

[hagjohn]

I had some bluetooth issues when I first got my M1 Mini but I haven't had anything recent happen with Bluetooth but I'm not using anything but a Magic Keyboard, mouse and airpods.

 

[mihighil]

“It just used to work”

 

[Pressure]

Never had an issue with neither the M1 Mac mini or M1 Max Mac Studio. 2.4Ghz is "open" so there can be a ton of interference from neighbours or ****** connected appliances. Unless someone scanned the frequency in the 2.4Ghz range I would doubt the Macs are at fault.

The older Mac Pro on the other hand were horrible because of the BT antenna placement.

 

[ian87w]

These have been unfixed like forever literally, obviously many people don't experience them, but also many do, like the audio cracking noise bug, took them only what... 4-5 years. At the end of the day, they don't care, unless it drives revenue, feedback is simply plain ignored. If we look at the state of many stock apps like Music, Safari, Messages, Mail... they are left in dust with the same & new bugs from worthless new features, with a nose dived UX.

Apple requires the support division to generate profit. Clearly priorities have been changed.

 

[thenahon]

Apple has been pushing a wireless future for YEARS but they can't even get Bluetooth to work consistently on their most expensive Macs!

 

[kschendel]

I don't doubt that Apple has some bugs to fix, but I have to wonder how many bluetooth and other wireless device issues are due to crappy hardware engineering, not just of the device, but of other parts of the system, such as USB ports. I have a wireless Logitech mouse with a USB dongle. When the dongle is in a front USB port of one box (linux boxes), it works perfectly. Plug the dongle into the other box which is literally 10 inches away, and it's unusable. The fix was to buy a 1 foot USB extender cable, plug one end into the same USB port, let it dangle off to the side, and plug the dongle into that.

Definitely a hardware interference issue.

 

[AirpodsNow]

I don't doubt that Apple has some bugs to fix, but I have to wonder how many bluetooth and other wireless device issues are due to crappy hardware engineering, not just of the device, but of other parts of the system, such as USB ports. I have a wireless Logitech mouse with a USB dongle. When the dongle is in a front USB port of one box (linux boxes), it works perfectly. Plug the dongle into the other box which is literally 10 inches away, and it's unusable. The fix was to buy a 1 foot USB extender cable, plug one end into the same USB port, let it dangle off to the side, and plug the dongle into that.

Definitely a hardware interference issue.

LG fixing Wi-Fi interference problems with UltraFine 5K Display, new units will be unaffected - 9to5Mac

Earlier in the week, we reported that the LG UltraFine 5K Display can be effectively unusable if placed near a...

9to5mac.com

this monitor issue was kinda prominent at the time, not forgetting the iphone 4 dead grip. i guess it is just difficult to make things “perfect”. so the more respect for those devices that just seem to work.

 

[jwahaus]

If you're having Wi-Fi or Bluetooth issues on your Mac pay attention to cabled devices attached to your computer. My M1 Mini Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will have issues if I attach a cheep USB3 HUB to a USB Type A port on my Mini. Cables attached will act like antenna and possibly create interference if they are not shielded well. I've found that added ceramic chokes to cables (that don't already have them) works well to eliminate interference.

 

[Chrysalis99]

Guess I’m lucky because I have zero problems with my Logitech KB & mouse. I don’t have anything directly connected to my MacBook though except an OWC dock. The only wire I ever have connected to the actual MacBook is a Thunderbolt cable. Everything works flawlessly.

 

[TheSynchronizer]

Update: It turns out the latest 13.2.1 macOS release has fixed the issues for me.

Who would’ve thought! I’ve had this issue since the first version of Big Sur and now out of nowhere they fix it. A happy surprise for sure!

 

[InfinityLight]

Update: It turns out the latest 13.2.1 macOS release has fixed the issues for me.

Who would’ve thought! I’ve had this issue since the first version of Big Sur and now out of nowhere they fix it. A happy surprise for sure!

@TheSynchronizer
Do you still have the same Bluetooth issues as before, if you are still using problematic Apple machines with the newest macOS 13.3.1, or the Bluetooth issues completely solved after macOS 13.2.1?

 

[thebart]

I'm running 13.3.1 on M1 mini. I have two different Bluetooth speakers, no other bt devices, and i only connect to one or the other speaker. The mini disconnects the speaker at random then reconnects immediately. Annoying as when this happens the stream stops and i have to restart

I use the same speakers with my Samsung phone and tablet and i can play for hours without disconnect, while being much farther away and moving around.