`--inquiry` not working, but Bluetooth Preferences MacOS GUI correctly discovering mouse - Catalina & Big Sur

[cristiano-belloni]

I'm trying to pair one of my computer with my Logitech MX Master 2S.

• If I set the mouse on pairing mode and run blueutil --inquiry repeatedly nothing is found (command returns 0, "success").
• If I go to my Bluetooth Preferences GUI, instead, the mouse is correctly discovered (see images below)
• If I try to connect with --connect to the address given by the Preferences GUI, it doesn't connect (return status: 1). Clicking on the mouse in the Preferences works, though.

This happens with blueutil 2.9.0, installed via brew on Catalina (MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)) and Big Sur (MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019).

[CHBrianLiu]

Same issue here. I couldn't find the Bluetooth device from the --inquiry command, but the device was visible from the Preference UI.

[toy]

Thank you both for reporting, do you have possibility to check same actions with different bluetooth device and to check same device with different computer?

[CHBrianLiu]

Hi @toy, thanks for checking this. I think I can help test on another device.

I've tried on another Mac, MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), which runs MacOS 11.4. My Magic Keyboard (not the same keyboard I reported above, sorry that I don't have it with me now) can be detected by blueutil. And all the peripherals presented in the System Preferences are in the list as well.

If there's anything that can help you troubleshoot, I'm willing to provide more information or logs. Thanks for the kind help.

[toy]

@CHBrianLiu Thank you for checking, this means that it at least doesn't affect all systems running 11.4.

Would be great if you can also check inquiry with some other device on affected system and if the issue stays after system restart.

[fedekrum]

Tell me what to do and I can help. Having same issue on my mac

[fedekrum]

Using Catalina. It may be something related to the more restricted access of apps and scripts to BT and other security things that have to be approved at the "Security and Privacy" Control panel.

[fedekrum]

Yesssss !!! That is !!! You must go to "System Preferences - Security & Privacy - Privacy (tab) - Developer Tools" and allow "Terminal" application to run software without a system security policy.

Is not a bug, is a matter of permission.

[fedekrum]

[toy]

@fedekrum Thanks for investigating! My attempt at reproducing was not completely successful - I wanted to check if allowing bluetooth interaction (instead of "Developer Tools") will also work, but after it started working with the option it didn't stop working after disabling and removing the option, and even after restarting.

@cristiano-belloni @CHBrianLiu Can you try checking if permissions are the issue?

[siutsin]

Hi @toy I have a similar issue with my Logitech MX Anywhere 3 mouse, but NO problem with the Logitech M557 mouse, Apple Magic Mouse, and Keychron K10 keyboard.

I have to add iTerm to BOTH Developer Tools and Bluetooth in System Preferences - Security & Privacy - Privacy to see the Logitech MX Anywhere 3 mouse with blueutil --paired - adding only either of these will not be visible.

I am using macOS 12.6.2 and am unsure what the difference is between the new mouse and other devices, but it is problematic as I don't have admin right on some of the laptops I would like to pair. I am wondering if there is any way to pair it up without the admin privilege?

[toy]

@siutsin Checking if I can reproduce I noticed that without adding Bluetooth permission for terminal app (or by turning it off) I don't see my connected mouse both using blueutil --paired and blueutil --connected, but permission doesn't affect seeing a headset and a keyboard. Also no Developer Tools permission for the terminal. So looks like it is down to understanding the difference between devices from os perspective.

[fbukevin]

Same issue to me