Apple preps big M1 Mac fix for big ‘Big Sur’ Bluetooth flaws

Apple’s first M1-powered Macs include a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini

Apple is applying the finishing touches to an important macOS Big Sur 11.2 update which improves Bluetooth reliability and support for external displays on M1 Macs.

What’s coming

Apple has published the second ‘Release Candidate’ for the new update, which the company says means this edition should be close to the making its debut.

The key problems it fixes are big ones: Bluetooth devices (including those made by Apple) are apt to lose connection when running Bluetooth, while monitors connected using an HDMI to DVI converter showed up dark when using an M1 Mac mini.

The release notes to accompany this important release tell us the update “improves Bluetooth reliability” and fixes the following:

• External displays may show a black screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI to DVI converter.
• Apple ProRAW photo edits in the Photos app may not save.
• iCloud Drive could turn off after disabling Desktop & Documents Folders in iCloud Drive.
• System Preferences may not unlock when entering the admin password.
• Emoji & Symbols pane may not have shown when the Globe key is pressed.

Great machines — so good, I bought one!

The problem around Bluetooth device support is a real one, and isn’t especially helped by the placement of the recharge cable on Apple’s Magic Mouse, which is unusable when connected.

We’ve seen problems with Macs, Bluetooth and wireless mice and keyboards before.

The problem this time is one in which users experience an intermittent or unreliable connection between the Mac and Bluetooth devices, such as Apple’s wireless “Magic” series keyboards, trackpads and mice. What brings this problem into the spotlight is that people using Apple Silicon M1 Mac minis running macOS 11.0.1 are experiencing it.

While we wait for the final version of the software to ship, this article may provide a little help for Mac users impacted by the intermittent Blutooth problem.

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