How to connect to a PC with Bluetooth

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If you listen to music or print documents through your PC, you could benefit from a Bluetooth connection. This way you won’t have to untangle cables or look for a free USB port.

Fortunately, this is a relatively simple process. In this article, you’ll learn how to get rid of those pesky cables while figuring out how to connect to your PC with Bluetooth.

How to check if the PC has a Bluetooth module

When connecting your PC with Bluetooth, the first thing you’ll need to do is make sure the PC has a Bluetooth module. Not all devices will come equipped with this hardware. Bluetooth modules are usually more common in laptops than desktops.

Here’s how to check if your PC has Bluetooth capabilities:

1. Open the Windows Start menu and go to Control Panel.
   
2. Click “Hardware and Sound” and then “Device Manager.”
   
3. In the list that opens, find “Bluetooth Radio”. Be sure to also look for it under Network Adapters further down in the alphabetical list, as it may have been listed there.
   

If Bluetooth is mentioned in the list, your PC can connect wirelessly. If not, you may need to connect an external Bluetooth adapter to your computer.

How to Add Bluetooth Module to Windows PC

If your desktop device does not have Bluetooth capabilities, you can still connect wirelessly by connecting an external Bluetooth adapter. The dongle simply needs to be plugged into a USB port. Please refer to the user manual to learn how to put the external hardware into pairing mode.

Here’s how to configure its features on your computer:

1. Press Win + I to go to “Settings.”
   
2. Scroll to “Devices” and select “Add Bluetooth or other devices.”
   
3. Your computer will search for discoverable devices.
   
4. Once the adapter has been discovered, click on it to pair it with your PC.

How to connect to a PC with Bluetooth in Windows 11

To connect wirelessly to other devices, you will need to enable Bluetooth on your desktop device. This is done by accessing the Bluetooth settings:

1. Open Windows and navigate to the Start menu.
   
2. Click the “Settings” icon and scroll to “Bluetooth & devices.”
   
3. Activate the “Bluetooth” button.
   

“Bluetooth” will only be in the system settings if a Bluetooth adapter has been detected.

How to connect to a PC with Bluetooth in Windows 10

If you are trying to use Bluetooth to connect to a Windows 11 PC, follow the instructions below:

1. Tap Win + I to open “Settings.”
   
2. Find “Devices” and then click “Bluetooth and other devices.”
   
3. Switch the Bluetooth button to the ON position
   
4. Press “Add Bluetooth or other device.”
   
5. In the pop-up menu that appears, press “Bluetooth.”
   
6. Wait for the device to appear in your PC’s Bluetooth list.
   
7. Click on it to enable the pairing process.

How to connect to a PC with Bluetooth on a Mac

Since 2011, all Mac devices come with built-in Bluetooth capabilities. To activate Bluetooth on your Mac, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the top left corner of the screen and open the Apple menu.
   
2. Select “System Preferences” and then “Bluetooth.”
   
3. The Bluetooth status will be displayed on the left side of the panel.
   
4. Press the “Bluetooth on” button to enable it.
   

Your Mac now has Bluetooth functionality. Next, we’ll show you how to pair a device to your Mac via Bluetooth. However, before you begin, make sure your device is turned on and ready to pair.

1. Open the Apple menu by tapping the menu bar in the top left corner of the page.
   
2. Scroll to “System Preferences” and then tap “Bluetooth.”
   
3. Click on the menu bar to open the Bluetooth menu.
   
4. Find the accessory under “Devices.”
   
5. To complete the pairing process, many devices will require you to confirm a provided PIN that matches both devices.

How to connect iPhone to PC with Bluetooth

Connecting your iPhone to a PC can be useful when transferring files from one device to another. If you are looking to link your iPhone to a Windows computer, follow these steps:

1. On your iPhone, go to “Settings.”
   
2. Click “Bluetooth.”
   
3. Move the Bluetooth slider to the ON position.
   
4. Go to the Start menu on your Windows PC.
   
5. Scroll to “Control Panel” and tap “Hardware and Sound.”
   
6. Your iPhone will search for detectable hardware.
   
7. Select the iPhone icon when it appears in the list, then click “Connect.”
   

Your iPhone will now be connected to your PC.

How to connect Android to PC with Bluetooth

Files can be shared between your Android smartphone and laptop via Bluetooth. If you follow the method below, you will no longer have to search for cables to get the job done.

1. Go to “Settings” on your Android mobile.
   
2. Tap “Bluetooth” and move the slider to the ON position.
   
3. Now open Windows and go to the Start menu.
   
4. Press “Settings” and then “Bluetooth and other devices.”
   
5. Click on your Android device when it appears in the list displayed under “Bluetooth.”
   
6. Both the computer and your mobile will show a password. Make sure the digits match.
   
7. Click “Done” on the PC and “OK” on the smartphone.
   

The Android device and PC are now linked, allowing you to easily transfer files from one location to another.

How to connect headphones to PC with Bluetooth

Some of us like to listen to music while we work. However, in general, blasting top ten hits in the office is frowned upon. The solution would be to connect wireless headphones to your computer. Here’s how to do it:

1. From the Windows Start menu, select “Settings.”
   
2. Select Bluetooth and other devices and turn on “Bluetooth”.
   
3. Click “Add Bluetooth or other device” on your PC, then tap “Bluetooth.”
   
4. Find your headphones in the list displayed and press “Connect.”
   

Now you are ready to listen to all your favorite songs at full volume if that is what you prefer.

Get rid of cables

Wirelessly connecting accessories to a computer has dramatically improved desktop organization. You will no longer have to deal with endless cables that inevitably get tangled while you work. After reading this guide, you can now enjoy a tidy desk, whether you work from home or are looking to make improvements to your office workspace.

Do you use Bluetooth to connect devices to your PC? Let us know which methods you use in the comments section below.