Bluetooth

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless technology for exchanging data over short distances. You can use Bluetooth to connect with other Bluetooth-enabled devices – mobiles, laptops and digital cameras can all use Bluetooth chips to transmit data.

For security reasons, Bluetooth devices must be paired before they can begin transferring data. How the devices are paired will vary depending on your device, and the one you’re connecting to.

How does Bluetooth work?

Bluetooth creates a short-range network by using a special radio frequency to transmit data.

Once two or more devices are safely paired, a Bluetooth connection is very secure and can connect up to eight devices at the same time.

What is Bluetooth used for?

Bluetooth is handy for transferring files from one device to another, including videos, contact details and photos. It’s a cross-device wireless technology, so you can transfer data between laptops, tablets and mobiles.

How did Bluetooth get its name?

Bluetooth is named after a 10th century Danish Viking, King Harald Blåtand - his names translates to 'Bluetooth' in English. Blåtand united Denmark and Norway, much in the same way that Bluetooth unites devices.

Is Bluetooth secure?

Two or more Bluetooth devices need to be paired before they can start transferring information – however, even when you’re paired with a trusted device, you need to take care if you’re sending sensitive information.

You may find that occasionally a device tries to connect to yours – for example, on a train or while you’re in a crowded location. It’s most likely to be an honest mistake, but if you don’t know who owns the device, don’t allow the other device to connect to yours.

If you use Bluetooth frequently with friends or family, you can set up ‘trusted devices’ which can exchange data without asking permission. You can also boost your phone’s security by toggling your Bluetooth settings to ‘non-discoverable’, so other devices can’t find it.