How to set already-paired bluetooth devices again into discovery mode?

Solution 1:

(I took the Magic Trackpad for example, but it applies to Apple Bluetooth keyboard and Magic Mouse as well)

When you start a Magic Trackpad, it announces itself over bluetooth :

• If a Mac "hear" it and is paired with it, they connect each other and you can't use the Magic Trackpad with another Mac.
• If no previously paired Mac are near the Magic Trackpad, it will be available to a new pairing.

So, one Magic Trackpad can be paired to multiple computers. When you start it, the first computer to connect to it gets it (first arrived, first served).

If you have two Macs next to each other (A & B), your Magic Trackpad paired to A and you want to pair it with B, you have four choices :

• Unpair your Magic Trackpad from A
• Disable bluetooth on A (this can be painful if you only have bluetooth input devices for A)
• Take A or B far (±10 meters) from the other. Stop your Magic Trackpad and start it again near B.
• Shutdown A

Once done, you can start a new pairing procedure on B.

I hope it answers your question.

(you can also stop and start again your Magic Trackpad while detecting new bluetooth devices on B and hope B will find it faster than A, but you'll probably need to make that several times before getting it to work)

Solution 2:

Regarding the Magic Mouse you can kick it into discovery mode by holding down the mouse button, switch the mouse on, keep on holding the mouse button until the green light starts blinking!

Solution 3:

I just did this. You put your trackpad or keyboard into discovery mode by holding the power key until the green light is blinking. The mac mini recognizes the trackpad almost immediately, and then walks you through the process of connecting your keyboard. Keyboard does not need to be in discovery mode, only needs to be powered on.

Took 2 min, very simple. Don't waste any money or space on a USB keyboard!

Solution 4:

For the Magic Keyboard 2 (squarish, slider switch instead of power button)

Hold Command+W while powering on.

Thanks to TomOSeven!

For the original Magic Trackpad / Magic Keyboard (rounded with power button)

Follow these instructions:

1. Turn off the trackpad by holding down the power button until the light goes out.
2. Turn on the trackpad by pressing the power button, and keep the power button pressed until it is paired. The light on the mouse will start blinking, it will show up in Bluetooth Preferences, and you will be able to pair it almost immediately so long as you do not let go of the power button from the moment of turning it on until after the trackpad is paired.

Solution 5:

MAGIC MOUSE 2 HAS A DISCOVERY MODE Here's how you do it:

1. turn the mouse off
2. press the click button and hold it pressed
3. turn on the mouse
4. go to mouse utility on the mac and search for a mouse. you will find it
5. connect to the mouse
6. release the click button