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Adding Bluetooth To My G4 MDD

Forums > Vintage Apple > Macintosh > PowerPC G3, G4 & G5 (New World ROM) > PowerMac G4, iMac G4 & eMac

2112st
Tinkerer
Northeastern New Jersey, USA
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Joined: Oct 8, 2023
Posts: 287
Likes: 112
Jun 9, 2025 - #1
So, while at the VCF swap meet Saturday, I picked up a wireless keyboard for $1-and it works beautifully. I want to use it with my various Macs. I would like to use it with my G4 MDD, but it doesn't have Bluetooth. Is there any way I can add Bluetooth to the MDD?
Attachments:
BlueTooth Mac Keyboard.jpg [View]

Mac84
Administrator
New Jersey, USA
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Joined: Sep 4, 2021
Posts: 306
Likes: 431
Jun 9, 2025 - #2
I believe only the later FireWire 800 model of the PowerMac G4s came with an optional Bluetooth card. Thankfully, USB to Bluetooth dongles (that have the right driver) would likely work fine for you. This Apple support thread mentions the D-link DBT-120 (Revision B2 or later) model will work on a Mac. I'm sure others do too, but make sure they have a driver that supports the older Mac OS. Good luck!

Liked by 2112st

2112st
Tinkerer
Northeastern New Jersey, USA
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Joined: Oct 8, 2023
Posts: 287
Likes: 112
Jun 9, 2025 - #3
>> Mac84 said:
I believe only the later FireWire 800 model of the PowerMac G4s came with an optional Bluetooth card. Thankfully, USB to Bluetooth dongles (that have the right driver) would likely work fine for you. This Apple support thread mentions the D-link DBT-120 (Revision B2 or later) model will work on a Mac. I'm sure others do too, but make sure they have a driver that supports the older Mac OS. Good luck! Click to expand...
Thanks, Steve!

Liked by Mac84

Mac84
Administrator
New Jersey, USA
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Joined: Sep 4, 2021
Posts: 306
Likes: 431
Jun 9, 2025 - #4
FYI there seems to be a thread here on the dongle too https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/bluetooth-using-d-link-dongle-in-os9.3546/

MeTheMac
New Tinkerer
Mars
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Joined: Feb 20, 2025
Posts: 72
Likes: 16
Jun 9, 2025 - #5
I use a specific USB bluetooth dongle in my QS G4 Tower. It's attached to an internal USB 2.0 port from a USB card (though it is a USB 1.1 device), so I can still use the rest of the card's ports. I picked it up on eBay for $15 and it works perfectly!

Here's the eBay listing:

Belkin Wireless Bluetooth USB v1.1 Dongle Adapter F8T003 - 33ft 10m | eBay

Part # F8T003. Belkin Bluetooth Wireless USB Adapter, 10m (33ft). Winner will receive the dongle only.
www.ebay.com

Looks like the seller has more! Highly recommend.
Attachments:
www.ebay.com [View]

V.Yakob
Tinkerer
Syktyvkar
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Joined: Sep 6, 2023
Posts: 129
Likes: 46
Jun 9, 2025 - #6
I use DBT-120 dongle. ( Rev. B4, It's important)

[Spoiler: ]


It had to be flashed on Bluetooth Firmware Updater, and then it works perfectly, even in OS9.

Using this Bluetooth dongle, I connected the Apple Wireless Keyboard to the Power Macintosh 9600.
Attachments:
DBT-120.png [View]

Certificate of Excellence
Active Tinkerer
United Sates
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Joined: Nov 1, 2021
Posts: 765
Likes: 530
Jun 10, 2025 - #7
I use These.

$9 bucks a pop w/free 2day prime shipping. I like them because they're tiny and I run them on the internal usb port of the usb pci cards in my QS , FW400 MDD & graphite PMG4s. They're seen as native BT.

Paolo B
Tinkerer
Switzerland
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Joined: Nov 27, 2021
Posts: 303
Likes: 182
Jun 10, 2025 - #8
>> V.Yakob said:
I use DBT-120 dongle. ( Rev. B4, It's important) Spoiler View attachment 21701 It had to be flashed on Bluetooth Firmware Updater, and then it works perfectly, even in OS9. Using this Bluetooth dongle, I connected the Apple Wireless Keyboard to the Power Macintosh 9600. Click to expand...
Same here. Since it was new.

S. Pupp
Tinkerer
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Joined: Apr 2, 2023
Posts: 78
Likes: 37
Jun 10, 2025 - #9
>> Certificate of Excellence said:
I use These. $9 bucks a pop w/free 2day prime shipping. I like them because they're tiny and I run them on the internal usb port of the usb pci cards in my QS , FW400 MDD & graphite PMG4s. They're seen as native BT. Click to expand...
OS9 too?

Liked by Certificate of Excellence

Certificate of Excellence
Active Tinkerer
United Sates
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Joined: Nov 1, 2021
Posts: 765
Likes: 530
Jun 12, 2025 - #10
>> S. Pupp said:
OS9 too? Click to expand...
No idea - I doubt it. I dont use OS9, so OSX Tiger and beyond.

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