Bluetooth is a wireless connection between two devices that sit close to each other

Bluetooth lets your phone, computer, or tablet talk to another device without a cable — a wireless headset, speaker, keyboard, or fitness tracker. The two devices find each other, pair once, and then reconnect automatically when they're near each other again. Bluetooth works over a short distance, usually 30 feet or less, and uses very little battery power.

To use Bluetooth, you turn it on in your device's settings, then put the other device into pairing mode so they can find each other. Once they're paired, you won't have to do that again — they'll connect on their own the next time they're both turned on and in range.

Key Takeaways

  • Bluetooth is a wireless connection that works between devices within about 30 feet of each other.
  • You turn Bluetooth on in your device's settings, then put the other device into pairing mode so they can find each other.
  • Once two devices are paired, they reconnect automatically whenever they're both on and nearby.
  • Bluetooth drains battery much more slowly than cellular data or Wi-Fi, so leaving it on all day has minimal impact on most devices.

How to enable Bluetooth on a phone or tablet

On an iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then tap the Bluetooth icon. It turns blue when it's on. On an Android phone, swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings, find Bluetooth, and tap it. The icon will show that Bluetooth is active.

You can also go into full settings if you want to see which devices are already paired or forget a device. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and you'll see a list of devices your phone has paired with before. On Android, open Settings, go to Connected Devices or Bluetooth (the exact name varies by phone brand), and you'll see the same list.

How to enable Bluetooth on a computer

On a Windows computer, click the Start button, go to Settings, then select Devices. Click Bluetooth and toggle it on. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then click Bluetooth and turn it on.

If your computer doesn't have Bluetooth built in, you can buy a small USB adapter that adds it. These cost between $10 and $30 and plug into any USB port. Once plugged in, your computer will treat it like built-in Bluetooth.

Pairing a new device for the first time

After you turn Bluetooth on, the other device needs to be in pairing mode so your phone or computer can find it. Most wireless headsets have a button you hold for a few seconds until a light blinks. Speakers often have a Bluetooth button you press. Check the manual or the device's box to find the exact step — pairing mode looks different on every device.

Once the other device is in pairing mode, go back to your phone or computer's Bluetooth settings and look for a list of available devices. You should see the new device's name appear. Tap or click it, and they'll pair. Your phone or computer might ask you to confirm the pairing — just tap Yes or OK. After that, they're paired and will connect automatically whenever they're both on.

Why Bluetooth sometimes stops working

If your Bluetooth device won't connect, first check that both devices have Bluetooth turned on and are within 30 feet of each other. Then turn Bluetooth off and back on on both devices — this often fixes temporary glitches. If that doesn't work, go into your settings, find the device in your paired list, and tap "Forget" or "Remove". Then put the other device back into pairing mode and pair them again from scratch.

If Bluetooth still won't work, restart both devices completely. Turn them off, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. This clears out any stuck connections or settings that might be causing the problem. If you're still having trouble after that, check whether your device's Bluetooth hardware is actually working — some computers or phones have a physical Bluetooth switch or a keyboard shortcut that turns it off separately from the software setting.

Bluetooth battery drain and when to turn it off

Leaving Bluetooth on uses very little battery compared to Wi-Fi or cellular data. On most phones and computers, Bluetooth drains maybe 1 to 2 percent of your battery per hour when it's actively connected to a device. If it's on but not connected to anything, the drain is even smaller.

You don't need to turn Bluetooth off to save battery unless your device is already running very low. If you're not using any wireless devices and you want to extend battery life, turning Bluetooth off will help a little. But the bigger battery drains come from your screen brightness, video playback, and location services — focus on those first if your battery is dying fast.

Bluetooth range and interference

Bluetooth works best when the two devices are in the same room and within about 30 feet of each other. Walls and metal objects can reduce the range, so if you're in a different room or on a different floor, the connection might drop. Thick concrete walls or metal filing cabinets will block Bluetooth more than drywall or wood.

Other wireless devices can also interfere with Bluetooth. Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, and cordless phones all use similar radio frequencies. If your Bluetooth connection keeps cutting out, try moving the devices closer together or away from other wireless equipment. If that doesn't help, turn off Wi-Fi on your phone or computer for a moment to see whether that's the source of the interference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pair one phone with multiple Bluetooth devices at the same time?

Yes. Your phone can be paired with many devices — headphones, a car stereo, a smartwatch, a fitness tracker — all at once. However, your phone can usually only play audio through one device at a time. If you connect your headphones while your car stereo is also connected, the audio will go to whichever one you connected most recently.

What does "pairing" mean, and is it the same as connecting?

Pairing is the first-time setup where two devices exchange security information and remember each other. Connecting is what happens after that — when the devices find each other and start talking. You pair once, then connect automatically every time they're both on and in range.

Why does my Bluetooth device keep disconnecting?

This usually happens when the devices are too far apart, there's interference from other wireless equipment, or the battery in the wireless device is low. Try moving closer to your phone or computer, turn off nearby Wi-Fi if possible, and charge the wireless device. If it still disconnects, forget the device and pair it again from scratch.

Is Bluetooth find, or can someone else connect to my device?

Bluetooth is encrypted, so someone can't easily intercept your data. However, during pairing, your devices are visible to other Bluetooth devices nearby. Once you've paired with a device, it won't accept connections from unknown devices. Keep Bluetooth off in public if you're worried about this, or check your settings to make sure your device isn't set to "discoverable" mode.