How To Connect to a PC with Bluetooth

If you listen to music or print documents through your PC, you might benefit from a Bluetooth connection. That way, you won’t have to untangle cords or search for a free USB port.

Fortunately, this is a relatively straightforward process. In this article, you will learn how to do away with those pesky cables as you discover how to connect to your PC with Bluetooth.

How to Check if PC Has Bluetooth Module

When connecting your PC with Bluetooth, the first thing you’ll need to do is ensure the PC has a Bluetooth module. Not all devices will come equipped with this piece of hardware. Bluetooth modules tend to be more common in laptops than in desktop computers.

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

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

If Bluetooth is mentioned on the list, your PC can connect wirelessly. If it isn’t, you may have to connect an external Bluetooth adapter to your computer.

How to Add the Bluetooth Module to a Windows PC

If your desktop device doesn’t have Bluetooth capabilities, you can still go wireless by connecting an external Bluetooth adapter. The dongle simply needs to be plugged into a USB port. Consult the user manual to find out how to put the external hardware in pairing mode.

Here’s how to set up its functionalities 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 scan for discoverable devices.
   
4. Once the adapter has been discovered, click on it to pair it with your PC.

How to Connect to PC with Bluetooth on Windows 11

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

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

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

How to Connect to PC with Bluetooth on Windows 10

If you’re trying to use Bluetooth to connect to a PC running on Windows 11, follow the instructions below:

1. Tap Win + I to open “Settings.”
   
2. Find “Devices,” then click on “Bluetooth & Other Devices.”
   
3. Toggle the Bluetooth button to the ON position
   
4. Press “Add Bluetooth or other device.”
   
5. In the pop-up menu that appears, hit “Bluetooth.”
   
6. Wait for the device to show up under the Bluetooth list on your PC.
   
7. Click on it to enable the pairing process.

How to Connect to PC with Bluetooth on a Mac

Since 2011, all Mac devices have come with inbuilt Bluetooth capabilities. To turn on 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. Below, we’ll show you how to link a device to your Mac via Bluetooth. Before getting started, though, ensure that your device is turned on and is ready to pair.

1. Open the Apple menu by tapping on the menu bar in the top left corner of the page.
   
2. Scroll to “System Preference,” then tap on “Bluetooth.”
   
3. Click on the menu bar to open the Bluetooth menu.
   
4. Search for 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 helpful when transferring files from one device to another. If you’re looking to link your iPhone to a computer running on Windows, follow these steps:.

1. On your iPhone, go to “Settings.”
   
2. Click on “Bluetooth.”
   
3. Toggle 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 & Sound.”
   
6. Your iPhone will scan for discoverable hardware.
   
7. Select the iPhone icon when it appears on the list, then click “Connect.”
   

Your iPhone will now be connected to your PC.

How to Connect Android to PC with Bluetooth

Sharing files between your Android smartphone and the laptop can be accomplished via Bluetooth. If you follow the method below, you’ll no longer have to search for cables to get the job done.

1. Go to “Settings” on your Android mobile.
   
2. Tap on “Bluetooth” and toggle the slider to the ON position.
   
3. Now open Windows and head to the Start menu.
   
4. Press “Settings” then “Bluetooth & Other Devices.”
   
5. Click on your Android device when it comes up in the list displayed under “Bluetooth.”
   
6. Both the computer and your mobile will show a passcode. Ensure that the digits match.
   
7. Click “Done” on the PC and “OK” on the smartphone.
   

The Android device and PC are now linked, enabling the easy transfer of files from one location to another.

How to Connect Headphones to PC with Bluetooth

Some of us like to listen to music as we work. However, blaring the Top Ten hits in the office is generally 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 & Other Devices and toggle “Bluetooth” on.
   
3. Click “Add Bluetooth or other device” on your PC, then tap “Bluetooth.”
   
4. Find your headphones from the list displayed and press “Connect.”
   

You are now ready to listen to all your favorite songs at full volume if that’s what you prefer.

Ditch the Cables

Connecting accessories wirelessly to a computer has dramatically improved desk organization. You no longer have to grapple with endless cables that inevitably get tangled as you work. After reading this guide, you can now enjoy a clutter-free desk whether you are working 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 what methods you use in the comments section below.