How to Use Bluetooth to Transfer Files Between Devices

Stanley Goodner is a former Lifewire writer who writes about audio equipment, music management, computer hardware, and other consumer technologies.

• Western Governors University

Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.

What to Know

• Android: Open the file manager, select the files, then go to Share >Bluetooth. Tap the destination device.
• Windows: Right-click one or more files. Go to Send to >Bluetooth File Transfer. Select device, then press Next.
• macOS or iOS: Open Finder > locate the file >Share >AirDrop. Follow on-screen instructions.

This article explains how to use Bluetooth to wirelessly transfer files like photos to and from your mobile devices without incurring data charges.

Send Files from Smartphones and Tablets

To transfer files from a smartphone or tablet to a PC over Bluetooth, first find the file on your device and then use the share function to send it over. Here's a step-by-step look at how it's done from an Android phone:

1. Open your device's file manager app. It might be called Files, Explorer, My Files, or something similar. On Android Marshmallow or later, open the Settings app to find the file manager.

Choose Bluetooth from the list of sharing options.

Send Files from Computers

While macOS supports Bluetooth, file transfers are managed by AirDrop. Here's how to send files from a Windows PC to an Android phone:

1. Open File Explorer and go to the folder that contains the file you want to send.

Select Send to >Bluetooth File Transfer, or on some versions of Windows, Send to >Bluetooth.

If you're using Windows 11, choose Show more options after you right-click the file to see the send option.

Select the device and press Next to start the transfer.

Wait while the transfer finishes. Depending on the number of files you're sending and their sizes, it could take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes or longer. The files will save to your Downloads folder.

What Is Bluetooth File Transfer?

Bluetooth file transfer is a simple way to send files to another nearby Bluetooth device without the need for a separate app. Bluetooth is compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

However, as useful as Bluetooth can be, this method of sending files isn't supported between iOS and Android, and that includes ChromeOS. If you want to send files from Android to iOS, you have to go a different route, such as using Apple's Move to iOS app.

Devices that are compatible with Bluetooth file transfer have a system setting that supports Bluetooth called Bluetooth Share (or something similar).

Chrome OS 89 added a feature called Nearby Share, which lets you move files between your Chromebook and other ChromeOS or Android devices instantly and securely.

Should I Use Bluetooth File Transfer?

There are several ways to transfer files from smartphone to smartphone, Android to Android, or from one OS platform to another. Bluetooth isn't the fastest method, but it has the fewest requirements—no app, no cable or hardware, no Wi-Fi network, and no data connection.

When you want to share photos between smartphones, here are the advantages of using Bluetooth:

• Bluetooth vs. USB Cable: If you don't have the USB charging cable for your device, turn on Bluetooth to transfer files. If you do have a cable, it may be the type that plugs into a standard USB port instead of into another mobile device.
• Bluetooth vs. OTG Cable: OTG cables will transfer files between devices, but both devices must support USB OTG and have the right connections for the cables.
• Bluetooth vs. OTG Flash Drive: There are flash drives that have dual connectors for use with computers, smartphones, and tablets. However, connector compatibility between devices is required.
• Bluetooth vs. Personal Hotspot: Not all devices use a personal hotspot (tethering). Plus, it requires a fee and a strong signal.
• Bluetooth vs. Portable Media Hub/Hard Drive: Some portable media hubs and hard drives broadcast their own local wireless network for devices to connect to. The mobile device needs the companion app to transfer files and the drive needs its battery charged.
• Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi Direct: Transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct is similar to using Bluetooth, but it isn't as universal, fewer devices support the feature, and an app might be required.
• Bluetooth vs. Cloud Storage/Email: Cloud storage and email work well for saving and sending files. However, each device needs a strong internet connection, and you're using an intermediary company that you must trust to handle your files securely.
• Bluetooth vs. File Transfer App: The Google Play Store and the Apple App Store have apps that transfer files from one device to another. Some of these apps only work when both devices have the same app and some may need a data connection.

While there are lots of reasons to pick Bluetooth over other file transfer methods, its limitations shouldn't be overlooked. Bluetooth's transfer rate depends on the version:

• Bluetooth 2.x has a maximum data transfer rate of 2.1 Mbit/s (about 0.25 MB/s).
• Bluetooth 3.x has a maximum data transfer rate of 24 Mbit/s (about 3 MB/s).
• Bluetooth 4.x has a maximum data transfer rate of 25 Mbit/s (about 3 MB/s).
• Bluetooth 5.x has a maximum data transfer rate of 50 Mbit/s (about 6 MB/s).

To use Bluetooth to send an 8 MB photo from one smartphone to another, and both smartphones have Bluetooth version 3.x/4.x, the photo transfers in about three seconds. A single 25 MB music file takes about nine seconds. A 1 GB video file takes about seven minutes. These times reflect the maximum speed, actual data transfer rates are less than the maximum specified.

Compared to other ways of transferring data, Bluetooth is slow. For example, USB 2.0 has an effective throughput of up to 35 MB/s, 11 times faster than the Bluetooth 3.x/4.x maximum rate. USB 3.0, which is the most common, is around 600MB/s. Wi-Fi speeds range from 6 MB/s to over 25 MB/s (depending on protocol version), which is anywhere between two to six times faster than the Bluetooth 3.x/4.x maximum rate.

Types of Transferrable Files

Most types of files can be transferred over Bluetooth: documents, photos, videos, music, apps, and more. If a file is stored in a folder on a computer or smartphone, you can send it. The receiving device needs to be able to recognize the file type to open it (for example, if the sending devices transfer a PDF document, the receiving device needs an app that reads PDFs).

Tips for Bluetooth File Transfer

To get the best speed and results, follow these tips:

• Disconnect smartphones, tablets, and computers from other Bluetooth devices (for example, wireless speakers and headphones).
• Some devices may limit the number of files that can be transferred at a given time, so it may be necessary to transfer files one at a time, rather than in batches.
• Keep the sending and receiving devices close to each other with a clear line of sight. This maintains the best signal strength that won’t be interrupted by other wireless signals and physical obstacles.
• Close other apps until all files have been transferred. Bluetooth does the sending and receiving, but the device needs processing power to write the data to storage.
• Troubleshoot your Bluetooth devices if there are problems with pairing.

How to Turn On Bluetooth

The steps to turn on Bluetooth on phones and other devices vary. We have directions for switching on Bluetooth for Windows 11 and a separate guide for enabling Bluetooth on a Mac. Use the Settings app to turn Bluetooth on for iPhone or iPad.

Android users can follow these steps (directions vary slightly between devices):

Flip the toggle switch next to Bluetooth.

The easiest way to find your Bluetooth version is through the handy app AIDA64. Look under System > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Version. Older versions of Android may have it listed under Settings > Apps > three vertical dots > Show All Apps > Bluetooth or Bluetooth Share > App info.

First, you'll need to activate Bluetooth on your vehicle. Then, on your Android phone, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth > Scan (or turn on Bluetooth first). Once your Android device scans and locates your car, select it, then run your music app.