Why Xiaomi Mouse May Not Connect to MacBook – and How to Fix It
Xiaomi’s wireless mice (such as the Mi Bluetooth Mouse, Mi Portable Mouse, or Mi Silent Mouse) are popular because of their combination of compactness, low cost, and long battery life. However, when connecting to a MacBook (especially on macOS Ventura or Sonoma), users often face problems: It's not detectable, it's connected, it's not working, or it shuts down after a few seconds (BLE), Which Xiaomi uses to save power, and in the default macOS settings.
In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for connecting Xiaomi mouse to MacBook Air/Pro (including models with an M1/M2 chip), ways to diagnose problems and unique solutions for cases when the mouse shuts down immediately after connecting or works with delays.
What Xiaomi mouse models are compatible with MacBook?
Not all Xiaomi wireless mice work equally well with macOS. Here is a list of proven models and their features:
- 🖱️ Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Mouse (white/black) – basic model with 1000 DPI, It works stable, but may require manual connection after sleep MacBook.
- 🖱️ Xiaomi Mi Portable Mouse — foldable, with a touch bar instead of a wheel. Supports Bluetooth 4.0, but sometimes conflicts with macOS due to a non-standard profile HID.
- 🖱️ Xiaomi Mi Silent Mouse is silent, with an optical sensor. Often requires a firmware update to work correctly with the MacBook on the device. M1/M2.
- 🖱️ Xiaomi Mi Dual Mode Wireless Mouse – supports both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz (via USB-dongle). It is recommended to use the 2.4 GHz mode for macOS if Bluetooth is unstable.
If your model is not on this list, check its connection protocol in specs. Mice with Bluetooth 3.0 support only (for example, older versions of the Mi Mouse) may not connect to MacBooks on macOS Monterey and later due to the lack of backward compatibility.
Preparing MacBook to Connect Xiaomi Mouse
Before you connect your mouse, follow these steps to avoid common errors:
Update macOS to the latest version (Menu About This Mac → Software Update)
Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, keyboards)
Make sure the mouse is charged (the indicator should flash when turned on)
Reboot your MacBook (this resets your Bluetooth cache)
Check that the mouse is in pairing mode (usually hold the switch on for 3-5 seconds)-->
Pay special attention to the macOS update. Older versions (before Catalina) may not have the Bluetooth Low Energy drivers that Xiaomi mice use. If the update is not available, try connecting the mouse via USB-dongle (for models with support for 2.4 GHz).
⚠️ Note: If your MacBook previously connected to this mouse, but now it is not detected, remove it from the list of devices in System Settings → Bluetooth (click on the cross next to the mouse name) This will force the pairing to reset.
Step-by-step: how to connect the Xiaomi mouse to the MacBook over Bluetooth
Follow this algorithm to connect Xiaomi mouse the first time:
- Turn on the mouse by holding the power button (usually located at the bottom) until the indicator starts flashing blue (pairing mode).
- On MacBook, open System Settings → Bluetooth.
- Make sure Bluetooth is on (slideer in the upper right corner).
- In the list of devices, find your mouse name (e.g. Mi Bluetooth Mouse). If it is not available, click Update or Connect the device.
- Select a mouse and click Connect. If you have a request to enter a code, try 0000 or 1234 (standard PINs for Xiaomi devices).
- Wait for the message Connected. If the mouse doesn't respond, go to the "Problem Solutions" section.
If the mouse is connected, but the cursor is moving jerks or freezes, try turning off Bluetooth power savings:
- Open the Terminal (via Spotlight or Programs → Utilities).
- Enter the command: sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist ControllerPowerState -int 1
- Restart the MacBook.
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If the Xiaomi mouse connects but shuts down immediately, try disabling Auto Switch in the Bluetooth macOS settings (available in Sonoma).This feature may conflict with the mouse's BLE protocol.
Table: Frequent errors and their solutions
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No mouse detectable. | Mouse is not in pairing mode or discharged | Charge the mouse, hold the button on 5-7 seconds to activate the pairing mode |
| It's plugged in, but the cursor isn't working. | Conflict with other Bluetooth devices | Turn off all other devices, restart the MacBook |
| The mouse shuts down after 10 to 30 seconds. | Saving power macOS or mouse firmware | Turn off Bluetooth power savings (see command above) or update your mouse firmware via Mi Home on your smartphone |
| The cursor is moving in jerks. | Interference from other wireless devices | Move your mouse closer to your MacBook (within 1 meter), turn off Wi-Fi at 2.4GHz |
| The mouse is connected, but the buttons are not working. | Incompatible HID profile | Try connecting your mouse in Safe Mode (hold the Shift when you boot your MacBook) |
How to Update Xiaomi Mouse Firmware for Better Compatibility with MacBook
If your Xiaomi mouse is unstable, it may be due to outdated firmware, which can only be updated through the official Mi Home app on your smartphone (Android/iOS).
- Install the Mi Home app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Connect your mouse to your smartphone via Bluetooth (temporarily disconnect it from your MacBook).
- In Mi Home, find your mouse in the list of devices. If it's not available, click Add Device and select a model.
- If you have an update, you'll see a notification. Follow the instructions on the screen.
- After the update, disconnect the mouse from the smartphone and connect again to the MacBook.
⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the firmware update process! If the mouse shuts down during the update, it may stop working. Keep it near your smartphone and make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%.
What to do if the firmware is not updated?
Alternative ways to connect if Bluetooth is not working
If Xiaomi’s mouse persists in not connecting over Bluetooth, consider these options:
- 🔌 USB-dongle (for models with support for 2.4 GHz): Mi Dual Mode Wireless Mouse comes complete USB-Connect it to a MacBook, and the mouse will work without delay (but take over the port). USB-C, You'll need an adapter).
- 🖱️ Guest Mode (for some models): Some Xiaomi mice support multi-device connectivity. Try holding the 10 seconds on button to reset all pairings, then plug it back in again.
- 🔄 Reset Bluetooth module on MacBook: Open the Terminal and type: sudo pkill bluetoothd This will restart the Bluetooth service.
If neither method worked, check the mouse on another device (a Windows PC or an Android smartphone). If it doesn't work there, the problem is with the mouse itself - it may need a battery replacement or repair.
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Xiaomi 2.4GHz mice (via USB-dongle) are usually more stable than Bluetooth mice, especially on MacBooks with M1/M2 chips. If reliability is critical, use this method.