How to Enable or Disable Bluetooth on a Mac

Are you having trouble enabling or disabling Bluetooth on your Mac? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It can be frustrating to figure out how to do something as seemingly simple as enabling or disabling Bluetooth on a Mac, especially if you’re new to the platform. But fear not, because, in this blog post, I’ll walk you through the steps to enable or disable Bluetooth on your Mac, using written instructions, pictures, and video demonstrations. Whether you’re a seasoned Mac user or a newcomer to the platform, this blog post will help you sort out your Bluetooth issues in no time.

In the top left-hand corner click the Apple Menu ()
From the Apple menu select System Settings
On the system settings select Bluetooth
Tab on/off the Bluetooth toggle

It is not always easy following along with a how-to with a simple list. So I have the how-to with pictures and, if you look below, even video instructions.

How to Turn On Bluetooth on Your Mac

If you never use Bluetooth then you may want to just turn it off on the Mac. The process is quick and easy and I will show you below.

Yet, some people don’t mind leaving it on just don’t want it in the menu bar. If that’s you here is a blog on How to Show & Hide Bluetooth Icon In Menu Bar on Mac that will help you.

Below I will show you how to turn on Bluetooth on your Mac using a step-by-step process with accompanying pictures.

Step 1. In the top left-hand corner click the Apple Menu ()

Step 2. From the Apple menu select System Settings

Step 3. On the system settings select Bluetooth

Step 4. Tab on/off the Bluetooth toggle

Enabling Bluetooth on Your Mac Without a Mouse or Keyboard

Many people use a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard with their desktop Mac. However, if Bluetooth is suddenly turned off, it can be difficult to access the Bluetooth menu without these devices.

Thankfully, macOS prevents Bluetooth from being turned off unless a USB mouse is connected. If a keyboard or mouse is not detected, your Mac will display the Bluetooth Setup Assistant. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong with these tools, you can still enable Bluetooth on your Mac using only a mouse or keyboard.

If you are using a MacBook, you can easily turn on Bluetooth using the built-in keyboard and trackpad. However, if you are using an iMac, you will need to connect a USB mouse or keyboard to access the Bluetooth menu and enable it.

To turn on Bluetooth without using a mouse, press the “Cmd” and “Space” keys on your keyboard to open Spotlight search. Then, search for “Bluetooth File Exchange” and press “Return” to launch the utility.

When the app opens, it will display a window indicating that Bluetooth is currently disabled. To turn it on, press “Return” again to accept the prompt.

If you need to open the Bluetooth panel, open Spotlight again and type “System Preferences“.

Then, search for “Bluetooth” using the search box in that menu. This will allow you to access the Bluetooth settings and make any necessary changes.