tahoe 26.1 unable to ignore device on bluetooth connection request pop-up

Question

tahoe 26.1 unable to ignore device on bluetooth connection request pop-up

Since upgrading to Tahoe 26.1 (the most current available) on my iMac, I keep getting a Bluetooth Connection Request pop-up from an unknown device (shows Mac ID, but no name, but I have confirmed it is none of my devices). The options are

1) Ignore the device by clicking the box - this doesn't work. There is a spinning ball after this.

2) Cancel - which closes the box for about 1 second and then it immediately pops back.

3) If I do nothing and leave the connection request, the connection ball spins indefinitely and my computer freezes up every 20 seconds.

So basically, I can't seem to clear or end this request and am only able to work issue free on my computer for about 20 seconds at a time!

I have checked the Bluetooth settings on my computer and it shows NO nearby devices.

Any input would be appreciated.

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Nov 10, 2025 8:30 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 10, 2025 8:58 AM in response to threeofa1kind

Have you restarted your Mac lately?

Rebooting is the best first step in troubleshooting.

If a simple reboot of your Mac doesn’t fix things, see if the problem still happens in safe mode. Safe mode will often correct weird software behavior by forcing the OS to clear caches, do disk repair and other self-maintenance and housekeeping and temporarily disables third-party mods.

How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

Restart your Mac in safe mode, then follow the process you have been and see if you can now ignore the Bluetooth device.

Does the same problem happen while in Safe mode?

You can exit safe mode by restarting your Mac normally, then reevaluate the problem.

Also, you can put the MAC ID of that device into a google search and see what, if any, additional info you might get back to help identify it.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,408 points

Nov 10, 2025 9:03 AM in response to threeofa1kind

Try changing the Air Drop System Settings to "Contacts Only" or "No One". And the "Allow Airplay For" set to "Current User". These options are located in the System Settings General --> Air Drop & Handoff.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,352 points

Nov 11, 2025 2:00 PM in response to threeofa1kind

Before you do that, I strongly suggest you use a Mac address lookup tool to identify the manufacturer of the device.

Google can help you find one.

Then hunt it down and kill it with fire.

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Answer 4

Nov 11, 2025 1:57 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks for that suggestion. Tried that but still have the same problem. I restarted in safe mode and the problem continues to exist. Apple told me I need to reinstall MacOS. So, I suppose that will be my next step. Just frustrating because this didn't start to happen until I did the most recent Tahoe .1 upgrade

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Answer 5

Nov 11, 2025 1:55 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Yes I did try rebooting - no change. And started up in Safe Mode and problem continues to exist. Spoke with Apple and they told me I needed to reinstall MacOS :/

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Answer 6

Nov 11, 2025 3:44 PM in response to KiltedTim

LOL... yes I have done this and it is an Apple product. I've already confirmed it doesn't match ANY of MY apple products in my household. And yes, I've checked them all.

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