Pairing Bluetooth 2.1 with Bluetooth 2.0

[YanAndrew]

Hi Guys,

I'll try to be as brief as possible. Basically,

1. Creative D200 Bluetooth speaker (Bluetooth protovcol 2.1)
2. MacBook3,1 (A1181) Bluetooth protocol 2.0

MacBook cannot discover Creative speaker. Why?

Any advice / suggestions as to what I should do coz it should work.

 

[Slydude]

I think the problem you are having is that Bluetooth speaker is using a newer protocol (2.1) than your Mac is using (2.0). I could be wrong but I don't think that's going to work. If the Mac had the 2.1 protocol and the speaker had the 2.0 protocol it would work. Perhaps someone else will chime in with a more definitive answer.

I wonder if a Bluetooth dongle that supports the newer protocol (bad link removed) would work? Of course it would be best to get one that doesn't need a software driver. In my experience dongles requiring software drivers often when the OS is updated.

 

[YanAndrew]

But I have a newer Mac running an older version of Bluetooth and it pairs with a Bluetooth 5.0 device fine. I'm streaming music right now as I reply to you.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Bluetooth is largely backward compatible, so it should connect. Do other BT devices connect to the Macbook in question?

 

[ferrarr]

Is the speaker already paired to another device it might be pairing with before the MacBook can find it? If you can unpair it from any other device it has ever been paired too, it should connect.

 

[Slydude]

Good idea Bob. I should have thought of that, There are many Bluetooth devices that will only pair with one device at a time. I have a couple of devices that behave that way and won't pair with a second device even if the first one is turned off. I have to tell the first device to "forget" the first device.

 

[YanAndrew]

I'll try to look into the "forget device" part & update this post accordingly after.

Thank you all for your inputs & suggestions

 

[YanAndrew]

Hi Guys,

I tried to forget device in the Creative speaker and retry pairing to the MacBook3,1. Still not happening. I have since changed the arrangements in my room so the speaker goes elsewhere. In its place is a WiFi speaker instead, but I have a Bluetooth 5 USB dongle on the way in the post as we type. Perhaps that would work if I need return to the initial arrangement. Thank you very much Everybody for your inputs.

I have another question on Bluetooth but I guess I should start a new thread instead.

Is there some action I need to perform to 'close' this thread, Guys?

 

[IWT]

Is there some action I need to perform to 'close' this thread, Guys?

No. That's up to the Admins and Moderators. Most often the thread is kept open for others to review if they have a similar problem, or to add to it if a new idea occurs to someone.

Ian

 

[YanAndrew]

Hello Everybody,

I have something to share. Please take a look at the image here:

Focus on the device named PEDRO on the left column. That image is the Bluetooth Setup screen on my old MacBook. It detected and connected with my Bluetooth 2.1 speaker finally!

The thing I’d forgotten was the fact that it was only protocol 2.1 onwards that they simplified the pairing process. Prior to that, one has to go through the lengthy pairing process which is what my MacBook needs.

I am beyond exhilarated to see that they paired!

I just wanted to update it here.

Once again, thank you to all of you for your help & inputs.





Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

 

[Slydude]

Thanks for the update. That never occurred to me.