Baffled by Bluetooth? Here’s what you need to know
James O’Connor
STACK Writer
Bluetooth is an essential technology that we now take for granted, but also an enigmatic one. How exactly does it work, what is it doing, why are there different versions, and why does it have such a strange name? Let us explain.
How does Bluetooth actually work?
Bluetooth uses radio technology – instead of online connectivity – to enable two devices to pair and communicate directly. The short wavelength it uses is the same as those used by baby monitors and garage door fobs.
Bluetooth devices communicate with one another via these low-power radio waves across frequency bands that exist for consumer use, as part of an international agreement.
Modern Bluetooth uses very little power, and can connect multiple devices together at once. Once devices have been paired and "trust" each other, reconnecting them is straightforward and quick.
This authentication process is important for security – not just any device can connect – that's why both devices must be in "pairing" mode for a first-time connection.
What kind of devices use bluetooth?
Wireless headphones and earbuds, portable speakers, game controllers, home security systems, wireless computer peripherals like mice and keyboards… These are just a few examples – you’ll find Bluetooth connectivity in many modern devices.
Smart home tech will often use Bluetooth to connect directly to your phone, while mesh networks can use it to connect across your whole home.
Why are there different versions of Bluetooth?
Bluetooth has received many updates over the years since version 1.0 launched in 1999.
Until Bluetooth 6.0 launched in 2024, the most recent major version was Bluetooth 5.0 in 2016. Support for 5.0 and beyond has been a major feature of most phones released since 2017.
Bluetooth technology continues to improve with each version, although the specifics of changes outside of the major updates will be invisible to most users. Slightly lower battery use, wider range and better connectivity mean more recent Bluetooth devices perform a little better.
Will my devices work with all versions of Bluetooth?
Generally, a new phone or other device will still be able to connect to Bluetooth devices with older specifications, and vice versa – to a point. Bluetooth 1.0 is no longer supported by most modern devices, for instance, so Bluetooth headsets circa the early 2000s are now just retro collector's items.
In 2010, Bluetooth 4.0 introduced Low Energy (LE) protocols, which greatly reduces power consumption – that’s how Bluetooth earbuds can run on such tiny batteries.
If you're still using Bluetooth devices prior to 4.0, they'll be noticeably less cooperative than more modern tech, which is compatible with any system or device that supports Bluetooth.
While modern laptops and tablets support Bluetooth by default, this may not be true for all desktop computers. If you want to pair Bluetooth devices with a desktop PC, you may need a Bluetooth USB adapter or dongle.
If you want to use multipoint – connecting two devices simultaneously to one primary Bluetooth signal – look for devices supporting 5.0 and above.
So, what's the latest, most up-to-date version of Bluetooth?
The most recent version of Bluetooth is 6.0, but right now there aren't a lot of 6.0 compatible devices on the market. That will change, however, and Bluetooth 6.0 headphones will still connect to an older phone without issues.
The biggest difference for Bluetooth 6.0 devices is the extended range they operate in. Bluetooth devices from 2016 onwards typically had a range of 240m (up from 60m on prior devices), but a Bluetooth 6.0 device has a range of 300m – great for listening to music around the entire house without keeping your phone in your pocket.
A new channel-sounding feature also allows two Bluetooth devices to "find" each other with greater precision – in the future, a stray Bluetooth 6.0 earbud will be easier to locate.
Bluetooth 6.0 also makes device switching easier via multipoint, so you won't need to manually reconnect to your devices as often. If you’re upgrading any of your devices, it's worth seeking out ones that support the latest or most recent Bluetooth version. And if you frequently encounter Bluetooth dead zones at home, v6.0 may be able to alleviate the issue.
Why is it called Bluetooth?
Finally, we get to the bit everyone wants to know! Bluetooth is actually named after a historical figure: Harald Bluetooth, the king of Denmark from 958– 986AD.
King Bluetooth united the tribes of Denmark into a single kingdom, and in 1997, Intel's Jim Kardach proposed Bluetooth as a suitable name for the technology because it, too, would be a uniting force – for devices, at least.
The Bluetooth logo is actually made up of two runic symbols that form the initials H and B. So say a quick "hail" to this king the next time you listen to a podcast wirelessly on the train!
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