macOS · Network & Internet
Connect Bluetooth Accessories to Mac
Bluetooth settings let you pair and manage wireless accessories such as keyboards, trackpads, mice, headphones, and speakers with your Mac.
How to open Bluetooth Devices
- Open System Settings → Bluetooth.
- Turn on Bluetooth if it isn't already.
- Put your accessory in pairing mode and select it from the list.
- Wait for 'Connected' to appear next to the device name.
What you should know
- Put your accessory into pairing mode before searching for it on your Mac.
- Paired devices reconnect automatically when powered on and in range.
- You can rename, disconnect, or forget a paired device at any time.
- Battery levels for supported accessories are shown right in the Bluetooth menu.
If a device fails to pair, try removing it from the list and pairing again from scratch — this resolves most stuck connections.
Why it matters
Bluetooth is how most people connect wireless keyboards, trackpads, AirPods, and speakers to a Mac, so a shaky pairing directly affects daily usability. Understanding how to forget and re-pair a device resolves the vast majority of Bluetooth glitches, which tend to recur if you only try reconnecting rather than starting fresh. Battery-level visibility for paired accessories also helps you avoid a device dying mid-use.
Best practices
- Remove ('forget') a device entirely and re-pair it from scratch at the first sign of a persistent connection issue, rather than repeatedly reconnecting.
- Keep Bluetooth accessory firmware and your Mac's software both up to date, since mismatched versions cause dropouts.
- Manually set your preferred audio accessory as the default output if macOS keeps switching outputs unexpectedly.
- Turn Bluetooth off when you're not using any wireless accessories to save a bit of battery and reduce interference.
Common problems and fixes
- A Bluetooth device connects but audio or input is choppy.
- Move closer to the Mac to rule out interference, turn Wi-Fi off briefly to test for 2.4GHz conflicts, and forget/re-pair the device if the issue persists.
- Device shows as paired but won't actually connect.
- Remove the device from the Bluetooth list, restart the Mac, put the accessory back into pairing mode, and pair it again as new.
- AirPods or headphones keep switching automatically between multiple Apple devices.
- Turn off Bluetooth on the devices you're not currently using, or disable automatic device switching in the accessory's own companion settings if available.
Tips and tricks
- Hold Option and click the Bluetooth menu bar icon for extra diagnostic details about connected devices.
- Use the Bluetooth menu bar icon to quickly switch audio output devices without opening System Settings at all.
- Battery percentages for supported accessories (AirPods, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse) appear directly in the Bluetooth menu bar dropdown.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my Bluetooth mouse or keyboard show up in the list?
Make sure it's actually in pairing/discoverable mode (often a dedicated button or switch) and that its batteries have enough charge, since low-battery accessories often fail to broadcast.
Can I use a Bluetooth keyboard before macOS fully starts up?
Apple's own Bluetooth keyboards can be used at the login screen and in some pre-boot situations, but non-Apple Bluetooth keyboards generally need macOS to boot first.
Does leaving Bluetooth on all the time drain battery?
The impact is small on modern Macs, though actively connected accessories (especially audio) draw more power than Bluetooth sitting idle.
Related settings
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you join, manage, and prioritize wireless networks on your Mac, including hidden networks and networks that require a captive-portal sign-in.
- Sound & NotificationsSound settings control input/output devices and alert volume, while Notifications & Focus let you decide which apps can interrupt you and when — including scheduled Focus modes like Work or Sleep.
- Displays SettingsDisplays settings let you change resolution, brightness, arrangement of multiple monitors, and features like Night Shift and True Tone for more comfortable viewing.
More Network & Internet guides for macOS
- VPN & Network ProfilesVPN settings let you connect to a private network over an encrypted tunnel — common for remote work — while Network preferences let you manage multiple connection profiles, proxies, and advanced TCP/IP settings for different locations or services.
- AirDrop & HandoffAirDrop lets you wirelessly send files, photos, and links directly to nearby Apple devices without email or messaging apps, while Handoff lets you start something on one Apple device — like a browser tab or email draft — and pick it up instantly on your Mac.
- Screen Sharing & Remote LoginScreen Sharing lets you view and control another Mac's screen remotely (or let someone control yours), while Remote Login enables secure command-line (SSH) access to your Mac from another computer. Both are toggled independently under Sharing settings.
- EthernetEthernet settings manage wired network connections through built-in Ethernet ports or USB and Thunderbolt adapters, including IP configuration, DNS, and connection priority relative to Wi-Fi.
- FirewallThe built-in Firewall controls which apps and services are allowed to accept incoming network connections, adding a layer of protection against unauthorized access while connected to any network.
- ProxiesProxy settings let you route web and other network traffic for a given network connection through a specified proxy server, either configured manually or automatically via a PAC file or auto-discovery protocol.