Bluetooth on a Mac, fixed in plain English.
19 fixes for macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 27 Golden Gate.
AirPods won't connect to your MacThe AirPods are connected elsewhere or their pairing is stale.Bluetooth headphones say connected but there's no soundThe Mac connected the device but is still sending sound to another output.Bluetooth device won't pair with your MacThe device isn't in pairing mode, is still paired elsewhere or has a stale pairing.See the battery level of your mouse, keyboard or AirPodsMac shows connected accessories' battery levels in the Bluetooth list.Stop your AirPods jumping from your Mac to your iPhoneAirPods switch automatically between Apple devices on the same Apple Account.AirPods or a Bluetooth headset sound bad when the mic is onBluetooth switches to a low-quality call mode when headphones' mic is active.Stop Bluetooth devices dropping off your MacInterference, distance or a stale pairing breaks the connection.Bluetooth won't turn on, or the switch is greyed outThe Bluetooth service is stuck or the Mac hasn't loaded the Bluetooth hardware.Connect a Bluetooth speaker or headphones to your MacBluetooth devices must be put in pairing mode first.Switch Bluetooth on or off on your MacBluetooth is controlled with a single switch.Connect a game controller to your Mac with BluetoothGame controllers pair like any other Bluetooth device once they're in pairing mode.Clean up old Bluetooth pairings on your MacOld pairings can clash with new ones.Bluetooth stopped working properly after a macOS updateAfter an update a saved pairing can glitch, so the device drops out or won't reconnect.Only one AirPod, or one side of your headphones, plays sound on your MacThe Balance slider is off-centre or the earbud is dirty or not charged.Connect a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse or trackpad to your MacBluetooth keyboards and mice pair from Bluetooth settings when they are in pairing mode.Stop your AirPods lowering your music when you start talkingConversation Awareness (on supported AirPods) lowers media when you start talking.Fix a laggy Bluetooth mouse or keyboard on your MacLow battery, interference or distance slows the device's signal.Pair your Magic Mouse, Keyboard or Trackpad using its cableApple's Magic accessories pair automatically when plugged in with the cable.Connect your AirPods to your Mac for the first timeAirPods must be in pairing mode before the Mac can see them.