Hello everyone, today in this article we will show you how to set up Bluetooth on Linux. Unlike many aspects of Linux, Bluetooth support is not automatically provided by the Linux kernel. This is largely due to the Bluetooth stack and the way it interacts with the entire Linux operating system. To overcome this drawback, user-friendly distributions such as Ubuntu, Elementary, etc. try to configure Bluetooth for users. However, not all Linux distributions do this. Various Bluetooth services and clients need to be installed. In addition, each Bluetooth radio is different (and some do not have open source drivers) and thus must be installed after the fact. Here is how to pair and use Bluetooth devices on Linux. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Suppose that you have WiFi or Bluetooth hardware installed on your laptop or desktop. In this case, it is possible that Debian will not automatically recognize it after installing Debian on your computer, as many other Linux distributions do. This is because Debian does not include these drivers by default. However, you can easily install the necessary drivers from the official non-free linux distros and run them on Linux.
How to Set Up Bluetooth on Linux
The steps will vary a little across distributions, but the basic steps are the same. If your distribution doesn’t already have Bluetooth set up for you, you will first need to install Bluez, which contains the driver stack for Bluetooth adapters as well as utilities for the CLI administration of Bluetooth.
After installing Bluez, you may need to install a Bluetooth manager. Some desktop environments have built-in Bluetooth managers. For example, KDE Plasma has the KDE Bluetooth client. Gnome also has a built-in client. If you are using a desktop environment that doesn’t have a built-in client, you can install the Blueman client.
How to Install Bluez
sudo apt install bluez*
- OpenSUSE
- With OpenSUSE, you have to install bluez with the Open Build Service.
- Fedora
sudo dnf install bluez bluez-tools
sudo pacman -S bluez bluez-utils
Bluez works with all Linux distributions. If you have a different package manager than the distributions above, have no fear. You will just need to search for bluez in your package manager, then install everything that includes the term bluez.
How to Install Blueman
Find out how to install Blueman on various Linux distributions below.
sudo apt install blueman
sudo zypper install blueman
sudo dnf install blueman
sudo pacman -S blueman
Enable Bluetooth
- After installation, you will need to activate and start the Bluetooth service. If you are using a Bluetooth dongle, you will first have to run the following command:
modprobe btusb
- To enable the Bluetooth service, run the following command:
sudo systemctl enable bluetooth.service
- To start the Bluetooth service, use this command:
sudo systemctl start bluetooth.service
- After doing this, you’ll be able to start using Bluetooth on your system.
Connect to Devices Using Blueman
- The connection process varies depending on the desktop manager used. However, we will show you how it is done with Blueman, as it is fairly representative of the process in general.
- To connect to a device, open “Bluetooth Manager” in applications and press “Search.” Make sure that the device you want to connect to is detectable. When you see it in the device list, right-click on it and press “Connect.” You may need to enter a passcode, but this information can be found in the device’s user manual.
Final Words
We hope you enjoy our article on How to set up Bluetooth on Linux. Bluetooth wireless technology is a worldwide specification for a small-format, low-cost radio solution that provides links between laptops, cell phones, and other portable devices and connectivity to the Internet. If you like our article, please share it with others.
I hope you understand this article, How to Set Up Bluetooth on Linux.
