The following tutorial is based on the one available at the following link (http://playground.arduino.cc/Learning/Tutorial01).
The cheapest way to connect your Arduino to your PC wirelessly is using Bluetooth. The drawbacks of this solution are the limited range, about 10 meters, and the low bandwidth speed. If your project requires either higher range or more bandwidth you should opt for a more expensive WiFi module.
Reset Bluetooth Module. This method is probably the easiest, although it sounds somehow unfriendly. If your MacBook Pro Bluetooth not working, here is a list of actions you need to do: Close all running applications and return to the Desktop; Hold Shift + Alt (Option) together and click on the Bluetooth icon on the control panel. Reset the Bluetooth module. If none of the above troubleshooting tips have worked, it’s time to reset the Bluetooth module. Doing this will attempt to debug any issues. Hold Shift+Option and click on the Bluetooth menu in the Mac menu bar. Click Debug and select Remove all devices. Click Debug again and select Reset the Bluetooth module.
Older Apple Bluetooth devices may have a LED light that blinks when in Discoverable Mode and once paired remain on. Open the menu again and click Debug Reset the Bluetooth module.
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This tutorial will show you how to setup a Bluetooth Module for use as a serial data connection. I am using this particular module but should be similar with others.
Before to start, you need to have either a built-in Bluetooth module or a Bluetooth dongle installed in your PC/Mac. In addition you also need to have installed on your system both Arduino Software and Processing.
Firstly you need to set up the bluetooth module whitin your Mac or PC.
Open System Preferences. Under the section Internet & Wireless click on the Bluetooth icon.
Now click on Set Up New Device. The Bluetooth Module will appear as linvor. Select it and press Continue. You need a specific passcode to pair the Bluetooth module and your Mac. Therefore, click on Passcode Option and enter 1234 (other bluetooth modules may have different codes). Then just wait until the pairing is completed. No other configuration steps are required.
Right click the Bluetooth Icon in the System Tray and select Bluetooth Devices. Click on the Add a Device. The search should bring up a bluetooth device called linvor. Select linvor and click Next. When asked select the option Enter the device’s pairing code. Enter the code 1234 (other bluetooth modules may have different codes).
The device should now be successfully added to the computer.
Click Close to return to the Bluetooth Devices list. Right Click on the linvor device and select Properties. Click on the Services Tab and you should see the Serial Port service along with a port number. In my case is COM4. Take note of the port number because you will need it later.
Connect your Arduino to your Computer using an USB cable as usual.
Open your Arduino Software, create a new sketch and copy the following code:
Once you have upload the code on your Arduino, disconnect the Arduino USB cable from your computer (this step is important). If you leave your Arduino connected to the computer with the USB cable the Bluetooth connection will not work! You can use an external battery or any other external source to power your Arduino.
Feel free to close the Arduino software. You will not need it anymore.
The following step is to connect the Bluetooth module to the Arduino as follows:
Connect the +5V bluetooth module Pin to the 5V Arduino Pin
Connect the 0V bluetooth module Pin to the GND Arduino Pin
Connect the TX bluetooth module Pin to the RX Arduino Pin
Connect the RX bluetooth module Pin to the TX Arduino Pin
Connect Arduino to a power source and the module Bluetooth led should start flashing.
Mac Bluetooth Not Available
Open Processing and copy the following code:
The only line you have to modify is the following:
where [2] is the number of the serial port of your Bluetooth device (ex: [3] is COM4 in my case). If you run the Processing code you should see in the logs a list of all available ports. Make sure you select the right one for you.
Once the Bluetooth module is connected to your Computer the LED on the module will stop flashing and be on permanently.
This code creates two buttons. When the left button is clicked it will send an H signal to the board and turn the LED on. Or if the right button is clicked it will send an L signal to Wiring board to turn the LED off.
While Bluetooth issues are rare, they do occur and throw everything up in the air when they do. Suddenly, you can’t use your system in the way that you’re used to and have to figure out different ways to complete tasks. But don’t panic — there’s usually an easy fix.
Read on as we talk you through some of the most common Bluetooth troubleshooting tips.
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Start with the simple stuff
Before we get into the troubleshooting steps, it’s best to start with the basics. And it really doesn't get any more basic than switching things off and on again.
While this seems like a lazily obvious suggestion, a lot of Mac problems can be fixed with a restart.
Click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select the option to Turn Bluetooth Off. Once it’s switched off, turn it back on by clicking on Turn Bluetooth On.
If the macOS or OSX “Bluetooth Not Available” error hasn’t gone away, try rebooting your Mac. Shut the system down completely and reboot it as usual.
Get a tool for Bluetooth switching
There’s an easier way to toggle Bluetooth on Mac, though. At least two ways, actually. You can have a dedicated app for connecting Bluetooth gadgets, ToothFairy. It allows you to create a custom setup for any number of your Bluetooth devices.
If there are not really too many Bluetooth devices you use regularly, go with One Switch — a set of dedicated toggles accessible from the menu bar. You can add a device once, and use the app for one-click Bluetooth toggling every time.
If that doesn’t work, it’s time to get down to some real troubleshooting. Here are five of the best tips to help you overcome annoying Bluetooth issues.
Five Tips to solve Bluetooth problems
1. Delete downloads
Have you downloaded any new applications or software programs recently? One of them could be corrupting your Bluetooth. It could be malware that’s causing the issue or simply an app that does sit right with Apple’s Bluetooth configuration. Either way, it’s best to remove any recently downloaded files to rule them out if nothing else.
The easiest way to do this is with CleanMyMac X. It requires nothing more than a few clicks and completely removes every file linked to a download.
Bluetooth For Mac Turn On
Here’s how to use it:
Download CleanMyMac X and launch it.
Click Large & Old Files.
Select the recent downloads you wish to remove.
Click Clean and the files will be gone in the blink of an eye.
If you’d prefer to delete downloads manually, you can do this in the Finder.
Open the Finder.
Press Cmd+Shift+G.
Type in ~/.
Double-click on the Downloads folder.
Delete any downloaded file that you don’t need.
If you’ve installed an app related to a downloaded file and you’re worried that’s what might be causing issues with your Bluetooth, use CleanMyMac X to completely remove it:
Launch CleanMyMac X.
Click on Uninstaller.
Select the app that you want to remove from the list.
Click Uninstall.
2. Remove all USB devices
Apple is aware that Bluetooth connectivity is an issue for Mac users and has a dedicated support page for Mac mouse problems, as well as possible fixes for unresponsive keyboards and trackpads.
One quick fix to kick the Bluetooth back into life is to disconnect all USB devices. Remove any and all USB keyboards, mice, and external drives and reboot your Mac. Wait for a couple of minutes and then reconnect them.
It’s a quirky tip, but it might be all it takes to restore the Bluetooth connection.
2. Reset the SMC if Bluetooth is not available on Mac
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) is the go-to troubleshooting tip for any issues related to Mac hardware or software, and it usually works.
The process is different depending on which type of Mac you’re using, but we’ve got you covered with both methods:
Resetting the SMC (non-removable batteries)
Shut down your MacBook.
Plug in the power adapter.
Hold Shift+Control+Option and the Power button at the same time for around 10 seconds.
Release the keys at the same time.
Boot up your Mac as usual.
Resetting the SMC (removable batteries)
Shut down your MacBook and remove the battery.
Disconnect the power adapter.
Hold down the Power button for 10 seconds and release.
Reconnect the battery and power adapter.
Boot up your Mac as usual.
Resetting the SMC if iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro
Shut down your Mac.
Disconnect the power cord.
Hold down the Power button for 5 seconds and release.
Reconnect the power cord.
Boot up your Mac as usual.
3. Delete .plist files
.plist (Property List) files are used by Macs to store software user preferences for things like the keyboard, mouse, and trackpad. It’s rare, but not unheard of, for these files to become corrupted and affect Bluetooth connectivity. Deleting the .plist files is a straightforward process.
Close any app that is trying to connect with Bluetooth.
Press Command+Shift+G in the Finder.
Enter ~/Library/Preferences/ and click Go.
Locate the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file and delete it.
Reboot your MacBook.
The Preferences folder might contain other files with the same extension. It’s safe to delete these too but start with the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file first.
4. Reset the Bluetooth module
If none of the above troubleshooting tips have worked, it’s time to reset the Bluetooth module. Doing this will attempt to debug any issues.
Hold Shift+Option and click on the Bluetooth menu in the Mac menu bar.
Click Debug and select Remove all devices.
Click Debug again and select Reset the Bluetooth module.
Restart your Mac.
Repair each of your Bluetooth devices.
If you’ve exhausted all of the options it could be that the problem is a serious hardware issue that requires support from AppleCare or an authorized third-party Apple specialist.