Wireless input devices: Bluetooth frequently asked questions

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a technology that makes short-range wireless connections between desktop and portable computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, headsets, printers, digital cameras, keyboards, or even a computer mouse at distances up to 10 meters (33 feet). Using the Bluetooth File Exchange utility, wirelessly transfer files between computers—even between a Mac and a PC.  You can also use Bluetooth to browse selected devices and retrieve files remotely. For extra security, you can stipulate that only trusted devices be allowed to connect to your Mac; 128-bit over-the-air encryption is also available.

Your Mac and your GSM/GPRS mobile phone with Bluetooth technology make each more useful. Manage your contacts using Address Book on your Mac or use your phone as a modem through a wireless service provider to access the Internet at speeds of up to 56Kbps.

You can print documents and digital images from your Mac to a printer that supports Bluetooth technology. You can also use a Bluetooth headset to talk to your friends and colleagues during an iChat session.

For more information on Bluetooth, see the official Bluetooth website.

How can I determine if my Mac has Bluetooth?

Most newer Mac computers come with Bluetooth technology built-in.  To determine whether your computer supports Bluetooth you can do one of the following:

• Look for the Bluetooth Icon in the menu bar. If the Bluetooth icon (below) is present then your system has Bluetooth installed.
• Choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu and Bluetooth from the View menu. If the Bluetooth preferences list options for enabling Bluetooth and making your system discoverable, then Bluetooth is installed.
• From the Apple () menu choose About this Mac, then click More Info. Select Bluetooth from the Hardware section.  If you see the Hardware Setting section populated with information, your system has Bluetooth installed.

How do I add or remove a wireless device to or from my Mac environment?

Use the Bluetooth Setup Assistant to set up your device to work with your computer by “pairing” the device with your computer. Once you have paired a device with your computer, you should see the device listed in Bluetooth preferences. To use the Bluetooth Setup Assistant, choose Set up Bluetooth Device from the Bluetooth status menu in the menu bar.  If the Bluetooth status menu isn’t visible in the menu bar, choose Apple () > System Preferences, choose Bluetooth from the View menu, then enable the "Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar" option. 

How does my Mac know which wireless devices to use?

Bluetooth wireless devices are associated with your computer through a process called "pairing."  Once a wireless device has been paired, authentication occurs automatically for future connections.

Many Mac computers that come with a wireless keyboard and mouse are pre-paired at the factory, which eliminates the need for you to pair the wireless mouse and keyboard. Just turn on the mouse and keyboard and your Mac should automatically connect with these devices while the computer starts up.

What is the difference between "paired" and "connected?"

Pairing is the creation and exchange of a passkey between two devices to establish a new relationship between them. After the devices are paired, the passkey is stored and authentication occurs automatically during future connections. This is usually needed only once during the initial setup of the wireless device. For many Mac computers the pairing process is completed at the factory, which eliminates this step.

"Connected" indicates that your Mac can see and communicate with a previously paired wireless device.  Devices that are not within 10 meters (33 feet) or are turned off will show up as 'Not Connected' in the Bluetooth System Preferences pane.

How long does it take to recognize a device when pairing a device using the Bluetooth Setup Assistant?

After you've selected which type of device you are looking for, it can take up to 30 seconds for all "discoverable" devices to appear on the list.  If your wireless device does not appear on the list after 30 seconds, make sure that it has fresh batteries and it is turned on. It may be necessary to turn the device off then back on to place the wireless device into the discoverable mode. Most devices only remain in the discoverable mode for approximately three minutes after they are powered on.

After my computer starts up or wakes from sleep, when will the wireless devices become active?

On startup, wireless devices are usually available after the computer completes the startup process.  When waking from sleep, Apple Magic Mouse and Apple Wireless Keyboard (2009) should be available right away.  Other wireless devices can take up to 5 seconds to be recognized when waking from sleep.  It may be necessary to click a button on the wireless mouse once or twice to wake it up.

Some Bluetooth devices, such as audio headsets, may disconnect after no audio (or data) is present for a certain amount of time to conserve the devices battery power.  In such cases, you may need to push a button on the device or headset to make it become active again.  Check the documentation that came with your Bluetooth device for more information.

What is the quickest way to wake my computer up from sleep?

Clicking the mouse button is the fastest way to wake the computer.  To wake the computer up using the keyboard, press any key. In some circumstances, you may need to press the space bar on the keyboard to wake the computer.  

If this doesn't work, open the Bluetooth System Preferences (choose System Preferences from the Apple () menu, then Bluetooth from the View menu. Select the Advanced tab in the Bluetooth System Preferences pane) and make sure to enable the checkbox next to "Allow Bluetooth Devices to wake this computer".    If this selection is grayed out, it is enabled by default.

How many devices can be connected to a Bluetooth device simultaneously?

The Bluetooth specification defines 7 as the maximum number of Bluetooth devices that can be connected at once, however a practical limit is 3 or 4 devices.  Having a large number of connected devices may affect the amount of time it takes to add a new Bluetooth device. 

Can other household devices interfere with the Bluetooth signal?

Bluetooth shares the 2.4 GHz ISM band with other common household devices including cordless telephones and wireless networks, and some baby monitors and microwave ovens. If you are experiencing issues that you suspect might be due to frequency congestion, refer to Desktop computers: Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues for further information.