How to activate Bluetooth

Device links

• iPhone
• Mac
• Device missing?

Many devices use Bluetooth as the preferred connection when communicating with other devices. Bluetooth can be a great way to transfer data and files between devices quickly, but sometimes you can’t figure out how to turn on Bluetooth.

We’ll show you how to activate Bluetooth on the most used devices that support it.

How to activate Bluetooth in Windows 10

Windows 10 has an easy way to use Bluetooth. Follow these steps:

1. Select the Home button.
   
2. Open Settings (the gear icon in the Start menu).
   
3. Go to Devices.
   
4. Under the “Bluetooth and other devices” tab, you will find the Bluetooth power switch. Turn it on or off as desired.
   

Please note that your device needs a working Bluetooth adapter for this setting to appear. Laptops usually have one by default.

How to activate Bluetooth on Mac

On a Mac device, turning on Bluetooth is just as easy. Follow these steps:

1. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
   
2. Choose to turn Bluetooth on or off.
   

If your Mac doesn’t have a menu icon for Bluetooth, you can locate one:

1. Choose Apple Menu.
   
2. Select Preferences.
   
3. Click Bluetooth.
   
4. Select “Show Bluetooth in the menu bar.”
   

If your device uses an external Bluetooth adapter, the icon will not appear in the menu. To turn off Bluetooth while using an external device, disconnect it.

How to activate Bluetooth on Chromebook

To turn on Bluetooth on a Chromebook, follow these steps:

1. At the bottom right, select Time.
   
2. Locate the Bluetooth icon.
   
3. If it is disabled, select Enabled.
   

If you don’t see a Bluetooth icon when you select Time, your Chromebook doesn’t work with Bluetooth. You’ll need to find another way to connect your device to a Chromebook or get an external Bluetooth adapter to perform the trick.

How to activate Bluetooth on an iPhone

To activate Bluetooth on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Tap Bluetooth.
   
3. Tap the Bluetooth switch to turn it on. If it is green, your Bluetooth is activated.
   

Alternatively, you can:

1. Swipe up from the top right of the screen to open Control Center (users of older iPhone models will need to swipe up from the bottom).
2. Tap the Bluetooth icon.

In this screenshot we recognize that the Bluetooth is on because it is blue. If it was off, the icon would be gray.

Once your Bluetooth is activated, you can look at the Bluetooth menu in your Settings to pair it with the device you want.

How to activate Bluetooth on an Android device

Turning on Bluetooth on Android is similar to using an iPhone. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
   
2. Tap Bluetooth.
   
3. Tap the Bluetooth slider in the menu. If it is blue or green, your Bluetooth is activated.
   
4. Once you are in this menu, you can search for devices to pair with your Android.
   

Alternatively, you can:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen.
   
2. If you don’t see the Bluetooth icon in the control menu, scroll down again.
3. Press the Bluetooth icon.
   
4. Pressing the small triangle next to Bluetooth will take you to the devices menu so you can easily pair them.
   

How to activate Bluetooth on a Samsung TV

Some newer TV models, especially Samsung TVs, come with Bluetooth capabilities. To check if your TV supports Bluetooth, follow these steps:

1. If your TV has a smart remote control, you don’t need to do anything. Your TV has Bluetooth.
2. Open the TV menu. You can do this by pressing the Home button on your remote control.
   
3. Go to Sound.
   
4. Go to Sound Output.
   
5. If the list contains an item such as “Bluetooth Speakers” or “Bluetooth Audio”, your TV supports Bluetooth.
   
6. You’ll have to go back to Sound on slightly older TVs and then go to Additional Settings or Expert Settings.

If you want to pair a keyboard, speakers, or mouse with your Samsung TV, the process is slightly different:

1. Navigate to the Source menu on your remote control.
2. Select “Connection Guide.”
3. From there, select Bluetooth.
4. Your TV should display instructions for pairing your device.

Once you have connected your speakers to your TV, you need to go back to the Sound menu and select the paired speakers as your primary device. For input devices such as keyboards or mice, pairing is automatic from the device list.

How to activate Bluetooth in Windows 7

To find and enable Bluetooth in Windows 7, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu.
   
2. In the search bar, type “Bluetooth.”
   
3. Open the Bluetooth settings that appear as a search result.
   
4. On the Options tab, look for the Discovery menu.
   
5. Check the option labeled “Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer.”
   
6. Select Apply and then click OK.
   

Additionally, you can check your Connections settings in the same tab to allow devices to connect and inform you when something wants to access your computer via Bluetooth. You will also need to apply these settings.

The Bluetooth icon will appear on your taskbar or in your taskbar’s hidden items menu (look for the arrow). From there, you can access the Bluetooth settings menu to turn off Bluetooth.

Activate Bluetooth on your laptop

With laptops that have built-in Bluetooth, you can access Bluetooth directly through your keyboard. Find the Bluetooth icon on your keyboard and press the corresponding button or button combination to turn on your Bluetooth. This button is usually located in the row of F keys above the keyboard and you may need to press the Fn button first. However, this may differ depending on your laptop’s configuration and settings, so make sure you look correctly.

If your laptop doesn’t have a charger, you may want to disable Bluetooth to preserve battery life.

Pairing with other devices

Once you are in your device’s Bluetooth menu, you can change the name of your device for Bluetooth connection purposes. Changing the Bluetooth name to something simple will help you find it when you try to connect to other devices.

Pairing two devices using Bluetooth is easy. Enable Bluetooth on both devices (for some input devices that are enabled by default or with a switch), then look for the name of one device in the other’s Bluetooth device menu. Once you have selected the device you want to pair, the rest of the process is automatic.

What to do if I don’t have Bluetooth?

If your Bluetooth is on but not working, try restarting your device. That will usually fix any temporary problems.

If your device is not discoverable, make sure to properly read the manual that comes with it. For a PC, see the Bluetooth menu. For a cell phone, make sure Bluetooth is on.

If you are having trouble connecting your device, be sure to change the pairing name to something easily recognizable.

However, if your device does not support Bluetooth, there is only one option left. You have to buy an external Bluetooth adapter. Luckily, there are many options to choose from.

For a computer, they will usually be in the form of a USB stick that you can plug into your PC to enable Bluetooth connectivity. For a TV, you can use a USB adapter or one that connects using a cable or cables suitable for your TV.

You can even get a Bluetooth adapter in your car! Bluetooth allows you to stream music from your phone while using your vehicle’s powerful speakers. Or you can make phone calls while driving, which, while generally not recommended, is at least a safer method than holding the phone.

If you’re using an external adapter, Bluetooth should normally be on by default whenever the adapter is plugged in, but you can access the settings mentioned above to make sure.

Wireless connectivity

There you go. Now you have learned how to enable Bluetooth on all your favorite devices. Using Bluetooth will save you a lot of trouble with cable management and look cleaner. Just make sure your device is Bluetooth enabled or purchase an adapter of your choice to solve that problem.

Have you had any problems using Bluetooth? What Bluetooth devices do you use with your PC or Mac? Let us know in the comments section below.