IPad – Can not share WiFi from Macbook Pro to other devices via Bluetooth PAN

bluetoothinternet-sharingipadmacbook pro

First of all, this problem is detailed in this discussion at Apple's forum.

I basically have the exactly same problem.

Status indicator is always yellow under "Bluetooth PAN" in Network Panel.

The status says:
Bluetooth PAN has a self-assigned IP address and will not be able to connect to the Internet.

I tried on both iPad and Android devices, doesn't work. There is an icon on the upper left corner of iPad indicates connected to Bluetooth PAN. However, there is no internet access.

Any suggestions on this issue?

Best Answer

I ran into the same problem when reverse tethering my Samsung phone (Android 5.1.1) to access the Internet connection on my Macbook Air (El Capitan), and found a successful solution:

  1. Make sure your mobile device is paired via Bluetooth and follow Heiko Haller's steps for Internet Sharing settings.

  2. Under System Preferences > Network, select the active Internet connection (e.g., USB LAN) and note the IP Address, Subnet Mask and Router numbers.

  3. Select Bluetooth PAN in the same Network window, click the Advanced button in the lower right to open its configuration panel.

  4. Under the TCP/IP tab, select 'Manually' from the Configure IPv4 drop-down menu, and copy the information from Step 2 in the three relevant fields.

  5. Select 'Link-local only' next to Configure IPv6.

  6. Click OK to close the Bluetooth PAN panel, hit Apply in the Network window.

  7. On the mobile device, go to Settings > Bluetooth and click on the cog icon next to the paired Macbook and turn on 'Internet access'.

It's been a couple of hours and so far, the connection seems stable. Edit: An incoming regular call broke the connection, and unpairing and re-pairing the device appear to have restored it. Edit2: The IP Address and Router numbers may change each time you connect to the Internet, so be sure to update the Bluetooth PAN settings accordingly.

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