Compatible Bluetooth LE dongles (for older Macs)

[woodhams]

Hi,

I have mac mini as a server (Mid 2010) and its lacks Bluetooth LE support.

I am assuming that anything built with Broadcom BCM20702 would work - but I'm assuming, and that doesn't always work out for me

Has anyone tested and confirmed working specific Bluetooth dongles on the mac with the Flic Mac client?

[8jo7ytj0z13j]

For anybody still looking for such a solution here's my contribution:

Mac Mini server 2010 running 10.13 + Hideez Smart USB Bluetooth-adapter works perfectly with Flic 2 (I use the button in universal mode to zoom and close windows since I use the mini as my media center).
It won't work with 10.12. The button pairs at first, but looses connection after a few seconds and does not execute any of the universal commands. 10.13 solved the problem!

Just make sure you follow these instructions: https://dongle.hideez.com/how-to-use-hideez-bluetooth-dongle-on-macos

Especially the terminal line so that it always uses the dongle and not the internal BT module.

Ver satisfied indeed!

[Emil]

I also have that Clas Ohlson dongle. It's a Cambridge Silicon Radio CSR8510 A10 inside, exactly the same hardware as https://www.kjell.com/se/sortiment/mobilt/bluetooth/usb-adaptrar/plexgear-bluetooth-adapter-med-aptx-p92954. I think Clas Ohlson simply doesn't want to take responsibility if it doesn't work on any other platform than Windows.

[andreas.lorentsen]

Hi,

Just wanted to mention that I bought a Bluetooth USB adapter at Clas Ohlson recently, that is working 100% on my Raspberry PI and both of my Macs (running macOS High Sierra).

My Macs are relatively new (2014 & 2016) so they both have Bluetooth LE, but I just wanted to give it a try, since the instruction manual & box clearly stated that ONLY Windows was supported.

Very misleading, considering the fact that it worked out of the box, on every single device I have

Andreas

[woodhams]

just got the GMYLE Bluetooth 4.0 Dual Mode Micro USB Broadcom BCM20702 Adapter Dongle, US $8.98 inc postage from eBay claims to work with :

MacBook Air Late 2010 and later, Mac mini Late 2009 and later, MacBook Late 2008 and Later, MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2009 and later, MacBook Pro 15" Late 2008 and Later, MacBook Pro 17" Early 2009 and later, Retina MacBook Pro Mid 2012 and later, Mac Pro Early 2009 and later, iMac with Broadcom Wi-Fi chip Late 2009 and later)

Works perfectly with no configuration with my Mac mini (Mid 2010) El Capitan, so I'm inclined to believe the above compatibility list.

[huuthanh]

Nice idea.
1+

[anton]

Hello,

I am actually using the Cambridge Silicon Radio CSR8510 A10 dongle with my Mac Pro 2010 and it works great, although the range is not very impressive. I also know that a colleague of mine is using the Broadcom BCM20702 for his MacBook and supposedly it works great as well, but I don't have any first hand experience with it.

One thing to keep in mind is that for some dongles the Mac will not automatically switch over and use the USB dongle as the primary HCI controller. If that is the case then you will need to manually switch it over. Here is a guide on how to do that. Unfortunately Apple has just recently removed the Xcode Hardware IO tools download from their website, but if you end up needing it then I can send you a copy of it. Also, since bluetooth pairings are stored on the bluetooth controller itself it means that you will need to re-pair current bluetooth devices that you might have, such as a wireless mouse or keyboard. It can be handy to have a USB mouse at hand since the wireless one will stop working as soon as you switch the controller

/A