Bluetooth glossary of terms

Bluetooth wireless technology provides a reliable and secure wireless connection between two paired devices up to 33 feet apart. Learn more about the terms commonly used with Bluetooth devices.

Devices that commonly use Bluetooth include the Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Magic Mouse, Apple Magic Trackpad, iPhone, and wireless headsets used for hands-free communication and gaming.

If you are having issues connecting an Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad to your Mac, see Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues for assistance.

Bluetooth terms

Authentication: The process of establishing a secure connection between two Bluetooth devices. During the authentication process, both devices are asked for a passkey. The same passkey must be entered or confirmed on both devices. Some devices, such as a mouse, create and authenticate their own passkeys, while devices like keyboards or mobile phones will prompt you to authenticate the passkey the first time they pair.

Bluetooth: A wireless protocol defining the exchange of data between compatible devices over short distances up to 33 feet.

The Bluetooth menu bar icon in the upper-right of your display provides information about the status of Bluetooth and any devices that are connected. Refer to the chart below for additional information.

Connectable: A Bluetooth enabled device in range that will respond to another device and set up a connection.

Connected: A Bluetooth enabled device is within range and communicating over the Bluetooth wireless link. The Bluetooth preference pane shows a green dot indicating a successful connection.

Discoverable: When a Bluetooth enabled device is “discoverable,” other Bluetooth devices can detect, pair, or connect to it. An Apple wireless keyboard or mouse will flash its indicator light when it is in discovery mode. Apple devices will turn off discovery mode after approximately three minutes to save battery life. Mac computers are always discoverable, unless you disable discovery mode in the Bluetooth preference pane.

Discovery mode: See "discoverable". To enter discoverable mode refer to the device's user guide for more information. An Apple wireless keyboard, mouse, or trackpad can be placed into discoverable mode by power on the device. If the Apple wireless device is not paired with another computer that is within range then the indicator light will flash to indicate it is in discovery mode.

Device discovery: A process that allows one device to detect another device.

Name discovery: The mechanism that requests and receives a device name.

Pairing: The process of creating a persistent link between two Bluetooth devices, which may involve the exchange of a passkey between two devices. This only occurs once; future connections between the devices are authenticated automatically. You can pair devices to your Mac from the Bluetooth System Preferences or by clicking the Bluetooth menu bar icon and choosing Set Up Bluetooth Device.

Passkey: The authentication key used to establish a link between devices. A passkey is similar to a password, but the passkey is only used once: you enter the passkey once and won’t need to remember it.

Profile: A Bluetooth service that may be provided or used by a Bluetooth device. Such services can include file exchange, stereo audio, and tethering.

Tethering: The use of an Internet enabled smart phone linked via Bluetooth to a computer to provide Internet services to the computer.

The Bluetooth menu bar icon in the upper-right of your display provides information about the status of Bluetooth and any devices that are connected. Refer to the chart below for additional information.

Learn more

For Bluetooth, pairing, or other troubleshooting information, refer to these articles:

• Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues

• Bluetooth: How to set up your Apple Wireless Keyboard

• Bluetooth: How to set up your Apple Wireless Mouse

• Wireless input devices: Bluetooth frequently asked questions