Bluetooth compatibility

Hi there, just got a 2011 iMac which has Bluetooth 2.1.
I want to get a Bluetooth headset but the new ones use 4.0.
Will a 4.0 headset work on my iMAC?

Yes, usually new headsets are backward compatible with Bluetooth 2+ devices but it could vary depending on the devices. The problem is usually the other way around.
That is if you had an old headset that was Bluetooth 2 and a new Mac with Bluetooth 4 that could be a problem.
Usually the manufacturers are the best ones to ask that question.

Hi there, just got a 2011 iMac which has Bluetooth 2.1.
I want to get a Bluetooth headset but the new ones use 4.0.
Will a 4.0 headset work on my iMAC?

Click to expand...

You need to check the instructions for the headset to see if it is backward compatible with the older BT specifications. Some headsets which specify BT 4 will only pair and connect to a device which has BT 4. Make sure anything you buy can be returned for a full refund.

And.. Welcome to our forums!

Rod Sprague said:

Yes, usually new headsets are backward compatible with Bluetooth 2+ devices but it could vary depending on the devices. The problem is usually the other way around.
That is if you had an old headset that was Bluetooth 2 and a new Mac with Bluetooth 4 that could be a problem.
Usually the manufacturers are the best ones to ask that question.

Click to expand...

Most hardware/software is designed to be backward compatible, and that goes both ways. That is, if the headset is using newer technology but the Mac is old, it will work, vice versa with the Mac being new and the headset being old will also work.

Only in VERY rare occasions (based on level of effort or adoption) would the introduction of a new technology break backward compatibility. Bluetooth has been generally accepted as a short-range peer-to-peer wireless technology from its introduction, so you will have to maintain backward compatibility for a long while.

Thanks Rod. That's exactly what I needed to know.