iPhone with IOS 26.1 and Macbook with Tahoe 26.1 and Bluetooth between Mac and iPhone Broken

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J46256 Author

Level 1

13 points

iPhone with IOS 26.1 and Macbook with Tahoe 26.1 and Bluetooth between Mac and iPhone Broken

iPhone with IOS 26.1 and Macbook with Tahoe 26.1 and Bluetooth between Mac and iPhone Broken.

Mac no longer allows "Bluetooth reset" via Menu option and Shift+Option.

Mac fails to list the previously paired iPhone anywhere, so you cannot unpair/remove it via UI.

iPhone cannot pair with the Mac because the Mac thinks it's still paired.

Handover does not work because Bluetooth is broken on your Mac.

Here's the brutal Fix:

!!! WARNING: this will remove all pairings you have. You need to re-pair all your bluetooth devices on your mac!

Open Terminal.app, run "sudo -s" to open a root shell and enter these commands:

sudo -s
cd /Library/Bluetooth/
tar czf backup.tar.gz Library com.*
rm Library/Preferences/* com.*
pkill bluetoothd
exit

Open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, delete any listed bogus devices, re-pair your iPhone with your Mac.

Enjoy until next time Bluetooth gets broken on your Apple devices.

Notes:

The second line creates a backup in case something else breaks. Here's how you restore this backup:

sudo -s
cd /Library/Bluetooth/
tar xzf backup.tar.gz
pkill bluetoothd
exit

Posted on Dec 9, 2025 8:32 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 9, 2025 8:52 AM in response to J46256

I'm not sure just what problem you experienced that prompted you to dive into the Terminal for a fix, but i will say this: the Mac and the iPhone do not "pair" together as you would pair either with a set of speakers for example. They never have. It's not a thing.

There are certain features like AirDrop and Handoff that require both to have their Bluetooth functions turned on and both be connected to the same wi-fi, but a direct Bluetooth connection between the two is not required. The iPhone will not be listed in the Mac's Bluetooth settings as a paired device.

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Answer 2

Dec 9, 2025 12:40 PM in response to J46256

Handoff, Continuity and Continuity Camera are working fine for me with my Mac, iPhone and iPad on 26.1. As stated by D.I. Johnson, Macs and iPhones don't 'pair' via Bluetooth in the typical sense, even though both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are required for the above services to work. You do need to be signed into the same Apple Account.

Perhaps you can provide more details about what is 'broken' for you (other than your iPhone not showing up in your Mac's Bluetooth devices list, which it won't and never has).

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