Trouble connecting Magic Mouse to Mac?

General
1

I’ve tried connecting my Magic Mouse to my Mac, but it won’t pair. Followed standard steps: Bluetooth is on, mouse is charged, and it’s discoverable, but no luck. Does anyone know what might be wrong or have tips to fix this?

2

I had a similar issue with my Magic Mouse not pairing with my Mac, and after much frustration and some Googling, here’s what worked for me:

First, try resetting your Mac’s Bluetooth module. Here’s how:

  1. Hold down Shift + Option and click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
  2. Select ‘Debug’ and then ‘Remove all devices.’
  3. Go back to the ‘Debug’ menu and select ‘Reset the Bluetooth module.’
  4. Restart your Mac.

Once your Mac restarts, try pairing your Magic Mouse again. Sometimes the Bluetooth module just needs a little nudge to get back on track.

Another tip is to ensure there are no other devices interfering. Turn off Bluetooth on all other devices nearby (other Macs, iPhones, etc.) that might be causing a conflict.

Additionally, you might want to try unpairing any previously paired Bluetooth devices that you don’t use anymore. Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and hit the ‘x’ next to any unused devices.

If these steps don’t help, some people have had success with deleting the Bluetooth plist file. Be careful with this though:

  1. Open Finder and go to ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/.
  2. Look for a file named com.apple.Bluetooth...plist and delete it.
  3. Restart your Mac and try pairing again.

Lastly, it could be a firmware issue with the Magic Mouse itself. Ensure your macOS is up to date, as updates can fix bugs and improve compatibility with Bluetooth devices.

If none of that works, consider trying your Magic Mouse with another Mac or even different Bluetooth devices to rule out whether the problem lies with the mouse or the Mac.

Hope this helps! Let us know if you find a solution.

3

I once ran into this issue, and @boswandelaar shared some pretty solid steps. But you know what else? Sometimes the smallest things can throw these connections off. A little trick you might want to try: restart your Magic Mouse itself. Turn it off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. It sounds ridiculously simple, but hey, better check off the basics first.

Also, make sure your Mac’s PRAM and SMC are in good shape. They store info that can affect system settings, including Bluetooth connections. Here’s how you can reset them:

For PRAM:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn it on and immediately press Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds.
  3. Release the keys and let your Mac restart.

For SMC:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. For laptops with a non-removable battery, the steps can be different (look ‘em up for your specific model).

If it still fights you, consider checking if there are any pending macOS updates. Even if it’s a pain, some Bluetooth issues are fixed in those updates.

But let’s not forget the Magic Mouse itself: cleaning the pair with a soft cloth (no fancy chemicals) can sometimes eliminate unseen dust or grime causing connection issues. If another Mac successfully pairs with your Magic Mouse, then your Mac’s Bluetooth hardware might be to blame.

Or lastly, if you’re comfortable diving deeper, open Terminal and type in the following command: sudo pkill bluetoothd; sudo pkill blued. This resets the Bluetooth daemon and often kicks it back into working order.

These steps aren’t the gospel as the problem can be a mixed bag, but let’s aim to cover all bases. Sometimes pairing issues can just be traced back to the most unassuming culprits.

4

Hey there, I know the struggle with the Magic Mouse can be real. Parirng issues can be downright frustrating. One thing that kinda jumped out at me - and this might sound odd - is the environment your Mac and Magic Mouse are in. Nearby devices like Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, or even physical obstructions could be interfering with your Bluetooth signal. So, if possible, try moving your Mac and Magic Mouse to a different location, preferably where there’s minimal interference.

Now, on the software side, sometimes plist deletions like @shizuka suggested can do more harm than good if not done methodically. It’s kind of like a shot in the dark. Instead, I’d suggest considering a clean user profile as a test. Create a new user on your Mac, log into that new user, and then try pairing the Magic Mouse. This isolates the issue to see if it’s something tied to your existing user profile.

Another step you might want to try is booting your Mac into Safe Mode. Safe Mode restricts a lot of background processes and third-party apps from running, which might include those mucking with your Bluetooth:

  1. Shut down your Mac completely.
  2. Turn it back on and immediately hold down the Shift key until you see the login screen.
  3. Log in as usual, and the Mac should boot into Safe Mode.
  4. Try pairing your Magic Mouse here.

And something often overlooked: check the battery compartment on your Magic Mouse. Even though it says it’s charged, ensure the batteries are seated properly, and if you’re using rechargeable batteries, try swapping them out for some fresh alkalines. It sounds mundane, but it can actually resolve weird connectivity issues.

On a different note, third-party Bluetooth drivers or other peripherals could be causing conflict. I’d take a peek at any installed third-party Bluetooth software or drivers. If you find any, uninstall them and see if that resolves the problem.

Lastly, don’t overlook potential firmware updates for your Magic Mouse itself. If Apple has released any updates specific to the Magic Mouse, they’d typically be bundled within macOS updates, but there’s a chance standalone updates might exist. It’s worth checking out Apple’s support site or software update tool.

In terms of Pros & Cons, the Magic Mouse, despite its elegance and functionality, is notorious for such pairing issues—a con for sure. However, its multitouch gestures and seamless integration with macOS are definite pros.

If you’re still out of luck, look into the competitors like Logitech MX Master series mice. They usually have multiple connectivity options (Bluetooth, USB receiver) and are praised for their ergonomic designs.

Hope this helps, and keep us posted on your progress!