Can't connect MacBook to iOS devices

TidBITS Talk
1

Trying to connect iPad Pro or iPhone to MacBook Pro via Bluetooth (technical details such as OS versions are below). It connects and immediately disconnects.

I “Forget this device” on both.

CLUE: If I reconnect from the iPad by tapping on MacBook Pro in the iPad’s Bluetooth panel, I get: “Pairing Unsuccessful. ‘Moe’s MacBook Pro’ is not supported.”

!!!

On the Mac, I connect to the iPad (or iPhone, same symptoms) and the 6-digit code appears, I tap Pair and now the devices appear on each other’s Bluetooth panels, but show as “Not connected.” If I connect from the Mac, it connects for one second and disconnects; if I connect using the iPad, I get the “not supported” message again.

If I connect the devices via USB (direct, no hub), I see the iPad in the Finder sidebar but if I go to connect via Sidecar, I cannot see the ipad in the Displays preferences (under Add Display). So stuck again.

Any ideas?

Details:

iPad Pro (9.7", iOS 15.1)
iPhone 13 Pro
MacBook Pro (Early 2015, MacOS 12.0.1)
All on same wifi network
All logged in to same iCloud ID

2

If you’re trying to connect as a second display using sidecar, Apple says that it requires a MacBook Pro 2016 or later. See Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac - Apple Support

1 Like
3

Thanks for the reply and Sidecar was one reason. Good to know that will not work.

I am also trying to connect them to use a typing app that lets me type using the Mac keybd and have it work on the iPhone. It used to work, so I know it is (was) possible. But no longer and I can’t figure out why I cannot connect the Mac and the iPhone / iPad.