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A4Tech FB35C mouse no longer pairs via Bluetooth after macOS 27.0 update

Hi all,


Since updating to macOS 27.0, my A4Tech FB35C (dual-mode mouse) has stopped connecting to my MacBook Air 13" M4 (2025) over Bluetooth.


Symptoms:

I put the mouse into Bluetooth pairing mode (as usual) using its dedicated pairing button. The mouse simply does not appear in the "Nearby Devices" list under System Settings > Bluetooth. I've tried restarting the Mac, toggling Bluetooth off/on, and re-attempting pairing multiple times—the same result.


What's odd:

This exact mouse, with the same pairing process, worked perfectly fine under macOS 26, right up until I upgraded. I don't have another Mac on an older OS version to confirm this is isolated to 27.0, but the timing lines up exactly with the update.


Device info:


3 replies

Major macOS updates can cause corrupted peripheral cache files or communication desynchronization with the Bluetooth system daemon.


To fix your A4Tech FB35C mouse pairing issue, clear out the stale connection caches on both the mouse and your Mac so they can discover each other like new.


Force a Deep Reset on the A4Tech Mouse

Before touching your Mac, make sure the mouse isn't stuck trying to resume a broken, pre-update connection handshake:

  • Short-press the Bluetooth button on the bottom of the mouse to pick a Bluetooth slot (Device 1 lights up Blue; Device 2 lights up Red).
  • Press and hold the Bluetooth button for 3 entire seconds.
  • The indicator light will begin flashing slowly. This signals that the mouse has successfully wiped its old pairing cache and is broadcast-searching for a new connection.


Clear Out Mac's Stale Bluetooth Caches

If your Mac doesn't display A4 FB35C or rejects the pairing, the OS background pairing service needs to be forced to reload.

  • Clear the device from your settings:
    • Open System Settings > Bluetooth.
    • If you see the mouse listed under your old devices, click the "i" (Information) icon next to it and select Forget This Device.
  • Force-restart the Bluetooth Core Daemon:
    • Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type Terminal, and press Return.
    • Paste the following command into Terminal and press return:
sudo pkill bluetoothd
    • Type your Mac login password (no characters will echo on the screen as you type) and press return.
    • Your Bluetooth menu bar icon will flicker as the service is killed and instantly restarted from scratch.
  • Restart your Mac to finalize the fresh system reload.


Re-pair the Mouse

Once your Mac boots back up, put the mouse into pairing mode again (flashing slow light), go to System Settings > Bluetooth, and select A4 FB35C to connect


More info: Connect a Bluetooth device with your Mac - Apple Support


The A4Tech FB35C is a dual-mode mouse supporting Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. 


A4Tech specifies that it can connect to up to three devices: two through Bluetooth and one through the 2.4 GHz receiver. It is listed as compatible with Mac. (A4Tech)


Because the FB35C does not appear under System Settings >> Bluetooth >> Nearby Devices when you attempt to pair it, the immediate problem is Bluetooth discovery rather than mouse-button, scrolling, or pointer functionality. 


Apple describes the Nearby Devices list as the location where a Bluetooth accessory that is ready to pair should appear. (Apple Support)


Before investigating macOS or third-party software, verify the FB35C's own pairing procedure. 


A4Tech specifies two Bluetooth slots. For Device 1, briefly press the Bluetooth button until the blue indicator appears, then hold the Bluetooth button for approximately three seconds. The blue light should begin flashing slowly, indicating pairing mode. For Device 2, briefly press the Bluetooth button until the red indicator appears and then hold it for approximately three seconds; the red light should flash slowly. 


The Mac should then search for the device named “A4 FB35C.” (A4Tech)


It is worth testing both Device 1 and Device 2, because they represent separate Bluetooth connection slots.


If one slot does not produce a discoverable device, try the other using the same procedure. Also make sure the mouse has sufficient charge before testing; A4Tech specifies a low-battery indication below 25%. (A4Tech)


If “A4 FB35C” still does not appear, test the mouse in the same pairing mode with another Bluetooth-capable device, such as an iPhone, iPad, or Windows PC. 


If it appears there but not on the Mac, the result narrows the problem to the Mac side of the connection. If it does not appear on another device either, the investigation should concentrate on the mouse's Bluetooth pairing state or hardware.


If the FB35C is already present under My Devices on the Mac, forget that existing Bluetooth entry and attempt a new pairing. 


Apple provides a Forget This Device option for previously connected Bluetooth accessories. (Apple Support)


The 2.4 GHz connection should also be tested with the supplied receiver, if available. 


A working 2.4 GHz connection and an unsuccessful Bluetooth connection would provide a useful comparison between the mouse's two wireless connection methods. 


It would not, by itself, identify the cause of the Bluetooth problem.


The fact that the same FB35C worked with this Mac before the macOS 27.0 update is relevant because the behaviour changed after the update. 


However, that timing alone does not establish that macOS 27.0 contains an FB35C-specific Bluetooth defect.


Third-party software should be considered as a separate part of the investigation. 


Once macOS recognizes the FB35C as a connected mouse, utilities such as LinearMouse can provide additional control over pointer behaviour and other mouse functions. LinearMouse, for example, supports device-specific configuration using the mouse's vendor and product identifiers. (GitHub)


A4Tech itself also currently lists FB35C/FB35CS in its software/download section. 


Therefore, the manufacturer's current FB35C software should be checked rather than assuming that no A4Tech software exists. 


However, the operating-system requirements of any downloaded utility should be verified before installation; the fact that software is listed for the FB35C does not by itself establish that a particular download is compatible with the current macOS version. (A4Tech)


The important distinction is that mouse utilities normally configure a mouse after macOS has recognized the device. 


They should therefore not be presented as a guaranteed solution to a mouse that does not appear in Bluetooth discovery. 


Their potential value is in making the FB35C function more fully or differently once the Bluetooth connection has been established.

Thanks, the issue is resolved.

The mouse connected over Bluetooth on Device 2 (Red). In the previous version of macOS, Device 1 (Blue) was working.