| Checklist for Mac OS X |
1. Download and install the latest Apple Bluetooth Software - currently at version 1.5
2. Download and install the latest Apple Bluetooth Firmware Updater - currently at version 1.2
NOTE: If you experience problems when attempting to install the firmware updater:
Navigate to /Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences - trash the file named:
"com.apple.BluetoothFirmwareUpdater.plist"
Open your Utilities folder, launch and run the Firmware Updater again - it should install without incident.
If the updater still fails to run, repair permissions on startup drive using Disk Utility and launch the updater again.
Note: Downloading the updates does NOT install them
You must launch the updater(s) from your "Utilities" folder to install.
3. Un-check "Discoverable" in the Bluetooth System Preferences if you're not using it.
4. If you've installed any of the Mac OS updates via the Software Update mechanism,
it's highly recommended that you download and install the corresponding Apple Combined OS Update.
The latest Combined OS updates can be found here:
These (older) Mac OS versions provide relatively error free third-party Bluetooth functionality:
10.4.3 for PPC Combined Updater - 109MB
10.4.4 for PPC Combined Updater - 120MB
10.4.5 for PPC Combined Updater - 125MB
These (newer) OS versions introduced sleep issues for some devices - See item 11 for work-arounds:
10.4.6 for PPC Combined Updater - 140MB
10.4.6 for Intel Combined Updater - 191MB
10.4.7 for PPC Combined Updater - 145MB
10.4.7 for Intel Combined Updater - 215MB
10.4.8 for PPC Combined Updater - 149MB
10.4.8 for Intel Combined Updater - 294MB
10.4.9 for PPC Combined Updater - 163MB
10.4.9 for Intel Combined Updater - 310MB
5. Remove potentially corrupted Bluetooth preference file if Bluetooth useability issues persist:
Turn Bluetooth off - go to /Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences - trash file named: "com.apple.Bluetooth.plist"
Restart and turn Bluetooth on, then re-pair all devices - please check #3 above.
6. Unexplained BT issues / erratic device behavior can often be resolved by simply removing the
offending device's pairing, then pairing again.
7. Sleep: Switch non-Apple BT devices off and wait for "Connect Lost" message to appear onscreen before putting
computer to sleep - this is not necessary with 10.4.3 and higher
offending device's pairing, then pairing again.
8. Sleep: Pre-10.4.3 - switch non-Apple BT devices off and wait for "Connect Lost" message to appear onscreen before putting computer to sleep.
9. Apple Wireless Keyboard Users - This will prevent the erroneous "Connection Lost" messages.
Once all Bluetooth devices you are going to use have been paired, power down all devices.
Turn Keyboard on first, wait 10 seconds, then turn other devices on.
Most people leave their Bluetooth keyboards on 24/7, and this is fine.
Other Bluetooth devices may be switched off and on at will in this case.
If the keyboard is switched off for any reason, turn all BT devices off and power-up keyboard first.
10. Processor Performance Setting: Optimum Bluetooth performance requires full processor speed.
PPC Macs: In the Options section of the Energy Saver System Pref, set Processor Performance to Highest.
11. Using USB to Bluetooth Adapters:
If using a USB to Bluetooth adapter (dongle), connect dongle directly to a USB port on host computer.
External USB hubs may introduce excessive latency - slowing BT peripheral reponse.
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