According to reports by several users online, the new macOS Big Sur update is causing Bluetooth connectivity issues. The new macOS Big Sur update introduces a ton of features and improvements for Apple devices. Most importantly, it brings a completely new user interface. Moreover, it also comes with several under the hood improvements that aim to enhance the user experience. This latest update for Macs also allows users to run iOS and iPadOS applications on their device. This update happens to be more inclusive and user friendly.
Bluetooth connectivity issue
However, all updates bring along their fair share of bugs and issues. Even after several lengthy months of beta testing, some bugs manage to get past the developers. These bugs are now affecting a large number of users who installed the macOS Big Sur. The most prominent issue includes Bluetooth connectivity issue. Users complain that Apple support suggested them to ensure that their Bluetooth devices had updated firmware. Despite having an updated firmware, Bluetooth headsets or speakers did not connect.
Apart from the Bluetooth connectivity issues, users with older MacBooks were placed at a disadvantage as well. These users found themselves with bricked computers as aftermath of installing the update. The seemingly harmless software update proved to be a source of major inconvenience.
One user reported, “I have spent a lot of time with Apple support with the same problem. They suggested making sure my bluetooth devices had updated firmware. In the end I had to revert to Catalina as Big Sur doesn’t support ANY of my bluetooth headsets/speakers. ” The comment box underneath shows that this issue is being faced by majority of users who installed the new update.
Tips and tricks for the new macOS Big Sur update
It is disappointing to realize that these Bluetooth connectivity issues have appeared in the beta testing mode as well. Several users highlighted this issue months ago, but Apple did not resolve this. However, the tricks given below might be helpful.
Some users have noted that deleting the “HAL” folder may resolve the annoying issue. One user reported, “If you’re unable to locate and delete the “HAL” plugin folder (sometimes it’s hidden from view), try this: – Open Terminal app – Type in: sudo rm -rf /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/HAL/– Restart your Mac.” This hack apparently works for a large number of users.
Resetting tor debugging he Bluetooth module is also solving the problem for many users. In order to do this, you will press and hold the Shift + Option (Alt) keys. Then you must proceed to click on the Bluetooth icon that is usually located in the macOS menu bar. The next step is hovering the mouse over Debug and clicking “Reset the Bluetooth module”. Once you are done with these steps, you may restart your Mac.
I had seamless Bluetooth connectivity with Catalina but then when I upgraded to Big Sur a few weeks ago I lost my ability to connect with Bluetooth. I share a Bluetooth connection between my Phone (LG Stylo 5 Android) and a MacBook Air 2017 running Big Sur 11.1. For what it is worth I seem to have corrected the problem consistently by running a process of steps in the order presented below:
1. Unpair Bluetooth connection (if paired) from the Phone for the device, in my case the MacBook.
2. On computer bring up the Bluetooth Preference window by selecting it from the Bluetooth Icon at the top of the main window.
a. You will see the phone device detected in the white box labeled “Devices.”
b. Select the device to remove and it will highlight in Blue with an ‘x” over to the far right.
c. Select the ‘x’ and a pop-up window will appear asking if you want to “Remove” the device.
d. Select Remove and the device will no longer appear in the white box labeled “Devices.”
3. The computer will then search for Bluetooth devices close by and eventually display the computer to pair with a “Connect” button to the right in the Bluetooth Preferences window on the computer.
a. Select the “Connect” button on the pop-up window.
b. The phone will then pop-up a window asking to pair a device.
c. Select “Pair” on the phone.
4. When “Pair” selected on phone you will see in the computer dialog box the display will read the Device is “Connected” with the phone and then suddenly it will disconnect. Double-Click on the device again in the white box displayed in the Bluetooth Preference window on the screen and then it should permanently connected.
5. One way to observe in real time the connection of #4 above is to observe the phone receive and hold the connection.
a. Go to the tethering option in Settings on the Phone.
b. Have Bluetooth Tethering selected on the “ON” position.
c. When you Double-Click on the device in #4 in the Bluetooth Preference window you should see a message appear on the Settings window on the phone highlighting that Bluetooth is “sharing internet connection with 1 device….”
I spent 2 weeks without Bluetooth after having downloaded Big Sur a few weeks ago and very frustrated. I finally was able to figure out this sequence of steps described above and now I have Bluetooth connectivity 100% of the time when I need it.
Hope this helps anyone who sees it.
Tom Lynch
Fairfax, VA