macOS 12.3 beta 2 seems to fix MacBook’s Bluetooth bug

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abstract-MacBook
Your MacBook should stop dying in its sleep.
Photo: Dmitry Chernyshov

Apple’s newest macOS 12.3 beta appears to eliminate a frustrating Bluetooth bug that causes excessive battery drain for many MacBook users.

The bug, introduced in macOS 12.2 late last month, continually wakes up a MacBook when it’s supposed to be asleep. That means the battery slowly drains while the computer’s not being used. Only disabling Bluetooth will prevent it for now.

Apple fixes MacBook Bluetooth bug

The macOS bug proved so annoying that developer Jordi Bruin built an app called FluTooth just to fix it. FluTooth automatically disables Bluetooth when a MacBook’s lid closes, then reenables it again when the lid opens.

But FluTooth may not be necessary when Apple rolls out macOS 12.3, presumably in the near future. Early tests show that the company’s second beta, issued to developers Tuesday, eliminates the “DarkWake” issue so MacBooks can sleep soundly again.

Mr. Macintosh on Twitter says that his 2018 MacBook Pro suffered the battery drain under macOS 12.3 beta 1. But after installing the second beta, he didn’t see a single DarkWake occurrence during three tests.

This should mean that if your MacBook goes to sleep with a full battery, it will wake up with a full battery — as you would expect.

macOS 12.3 on the way

macOS 12.3 also brings Universal Control, allowing you to control multiple machines (or a Mac and iPad) with the same keyboard and mouse. Only developers can download the update right now. However, the final version should make its official debut sometime next month.

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