What you’re dealing with
They broadcast readable names and last a very long time, which makes them one of the more findable categories once you are in the right building.
| Broadcasts as | MX Master, Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, K380 |
|---|---|
| Typical battery | Weeks to months; some Logitech models run for a year or more |
| Findable by scan | Yes, while powered on |
| Search window | Days to weeks |
Once the battery is gone: Peripherals have long battery lives and remain discoverable for months, though many sleep aggressively and need a click to wake.
Where it usually is
Packing boxes
Still in the box from the last move.
Laptop bag pockets
Packed for a trip and left in the sleeve.
Desk drawers
Tidied away when the desk was cleared.
How to search for it
- Check the last-seen map firstBefore you search a room, find out which building. A pin saves you from searching the right way in the wrong place.
- Scan from the middle of the roomNote everything that appears, then select the device you want so the rest of the list drops away.
- Walk and watch the signalSweep in a straight line, give each position a few seconds, and turn 90 degrees when the reading stops rising.
- Search inside things, not across themA strong signal with nothing visible means it is underneath or inside something. Fabric and metal block Bluetooth badly.
Tips specific to bluetooth mouse or keyboard
- Many peripherals sleep deeply and advertise less often when idle. Give a scan thirty seconds rather than expecting an instant hit.
- Click a mouse button or press a key if you get close, waking the device makes it advertise far more frequently and the signal jumps.
Other things people lose
The same method applies to these, with different battery windows and different hiding places.
- How to find an electric scooter or e-bike, Days to weeks on standby
- How to find a lost hearing aid, Around 16 to 24 hours rechargeable
- How to find a lost smart ring, Four to seven days
- How to find lost luggage with a Bluetooth tag, Roughly a year on a coin cell tag
- How to find lost AirPods Max, About 20 hours
- Last-seen map for your devices, Map tab
- How to find something a child left at school
- All device guides, the complete list
Common questions
Why does my mouse only appear sometimes in a scan?
Peripherals sleep to save power and reduce how often they broadcast. Waiting longer, or physically waking the device, makes it appear reliably.