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Early 2011 Model: A1278 / 2.3 GHz i5 or 2.7 GHz i7 processor

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Is it worth to upgrade Bluetooth board of a MacBook 2011

I have a macbook pro early 2011 with OS 10.11.5 and I would like to know if is worth it to upgrade airport/bluetooth (from 2.1 to a 4.0) board in order to have bluetooth 4.0? If it is upgraded, will the OS system recognize the new airport/bluetooth board automatically? Or Is it necessary to install or configure something? Will the macbook pro be able to connect with newer devices like trackpads and keyboard via bluetooth 4.0 LE? And will Airdrop work with newer iphones?

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Sorry to say there is no upgrade AirPort for your system.

You don’t need an upgraded bluetooth for most peripherals for your MacBook Pro. The iPhone will also work without issue.

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Hi Dan,

Thank you for your answer. Unfortunately, some devices that I own do not work without a dongle, since they are Bluetooth 4.0 LE. And also my iPhone 6s does not airdrop with the macbook pro. It seams like it was possible to swap the airport/bluetooth board of the macbook pro early 2011 with a 2012 board, but I don't know if it would solve my problems.

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I stand corrected (sorry) Yes, you can upgrade the AirPort board from Bluetooth 2.1 to 4.0

Here's the part from IFIXIT: MacBook Pro Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) AirPort/Bluetooth Board and here's the guide: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 AirPort/Bluetooth Board Replacement

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Thanks again for your attention Dan. Do you know if by upgrading the airport/bluetooth board will my macbook pro be able to have/use bluetooth 4.0 LE to connect with other bluetooth 4.0 LE devices like keyboard and mouse? Will it be able to airdrop files with my iPhone 6s? And last, does the OS system promptly recognizes the new board upgrade or do I have to install/configure something in my macbook pro?

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The OS has all of the needed software. Nothing else is needed.

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I replaced the airport card to a 4.0 one. It doesn't airdrop my iphone 6.

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I just did the upgrade. Airdrop shows in finder, under system report/wifi it also says AirDrop supported but I miss the option to make my MacBook visible for others to AirDrop, has someone found a fix for that?

Late 2011 MacBook Pro A1278 running Sierra

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Its only one way to your Apple TV

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Replaced the card on a macbook pro late 2011 running High Sierra 10.13.6. Did a SMC reset right after installing. System Information > Bluetooth says "HCI Version: 4.0 (0x6)" now. Wifi works normally and bluetooth can connect to other devices like headsets. However, my iPhone and the macbook pro don't see each other via airdrop.

EDIT: Solved by this thread, using the Continuity Activation Tool.

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