Table of Contents
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that lets nearby devices connect directly to each other, with no cables and no internet connection. It uses low-power radio signals in the 2.4 GHz band to link your phone to earbuds, smartwatches, car stereos, keyboards, trackers, and health monitors, usually within about 30 feet.
Bluetooth is everywhere. Nearly six billion Bluetooth devices are expected to ship worldwide in 2026, from phones and earbuds to smart labels on store shelves. Yet most of us only think about it when something refuses to connect.
This guide explains how Bluetooth actually works, what pairing does behind the scenes, how far the signal really reaches, and how it differs from Wi-Fi and NFC. You will also learn what is new in 2026, including Bluetooth 6, Auracast broadcast audio, and Channel Sounding, plus how to fix the connection problems we see most often.
Key Takeaways
- Bluetooth connects devices to each other. Wi-Fi connects devices to the internet. Your phone often uses both at once.
- Pairing is a one-time security step. It creates a shared encryption key so your devices can reconnect automatically and privately.
- Typical range is about 30 feet, but walls, metal, and even your own body can shorten it.
- Bluetooth does not use mobile data. Streaming music uses data only because the song downloads over Wi-Fi or cellular.
- New features matter more than version numbers. Look for LE Audio, Auracast, and Channel Sounding on the box rather than just “Bluetooth 6.”
What Is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless standard for exchanging data over short distances. Instead of sending information through a router or a cell tower, it creates a direct radio link between two devices that are physically close to each other.
That direct link is what makes Bluetooth so convenient. Your earbuds work on a plane in airplane mode, your smartwatch syncs on a hiking trail with no signal, and your keyboard connects to a tablet without a single cable.
What Bluetooth Is Designed to Do
- Stream audio to earbuds, headphones, speakers, hearing aids, and car systems
- Route phone calls to a headset or vehicle for hands-free use
- Send small, steady streams of data such as heart rate, step counts, and notifications
- Connect keyboards, mice, styluses, and game controllers
- Control smart home devices such as locks, bulbs, and sensors
- Measure distance and location for item trackers, digital car keys, and indoor navigation
Bluetooth is not built for large files. It moves a few megabits per second, which is plenty for music and sensor readings but too slow for streaming video or backing up photos. That job belongs to Wi-Fi.
Who Runs Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), an industry organization formed in 1998. More than 43,000 companies have joined the SIG since then. Because every member builds to the same specification, earbuds from one brand work with a phone from another.
Where the Name Comes From
Bluetooth is named after Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, a 10th-century king known for uniting Denmark and Norway. He reportedly had a dead tooth with a blue-grey tint, which gave him his nickname.
In the 1990s, Intel, Ericsson, and Nokia set out to create one short-range radio standard that everyone could use. Intel engineer Jim Kardach suggested “Bluetooth” as a temporary code name, a nod to a king who brought people together. The name stuck. The logo combines the runes for Harald’s initials, H and B.
How Bluetooth Works
Every Bluetooth connection comes down to three things: a shared radio band, an agreed schedule for using it, and a shared secret that keeps the conversation private.
The 2.4 GHz Band
Bluetooth transmits in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, a slice of radio spectrum set aside worldwide for unlicensed use. Because the band is available almost everywhere, a phone bought in one country works with headphones bought in another.
The trade-off is traffic. Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, baby monitors, cordless phones, and wireless mice all share the same band. Bluetooth was designed from day one to work in that crowded space.
Frequency Hopping: How Bluetooth Avoids Interference
Instead of staying on one frequency, Bluetooth splits the band into narrow channels and jumps between them in a pattern both devices agree on.
- Bluetooth Classic uses 79 channels, each 1 MHz wide, and hops up to 1,600 times per second.
- Bluetooth Low Energy uses 40 channels, each 2 MHz wide.
If one channel is noisy, only a tiny slice of data is affected, and it is resent on the next hop. Modern devices also use adaptive frequency hopping, which spots channels that are consistently busy and skips them. This is why your earbuds usually keep playing in a crowded airport or coffee shop.
Bluetooth Classic vs. Bluetooth Low Energy
Since 2010, Bluetooth has really been two technologies under one name. Most phones, tablets, and laptops support both and choose the right one for each task.
| Feature | Bluetooth Classic | Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Continuous streams | Short bursts of data |
| Connection style | Always on | Wakes up, sends, sleeps |
| Power use | Higher | Very low |
| Common uses | Traditional earbuds, car audio, speakers | Smartwatches, fitness bands, trackers, smart locks, glucose monitors, LE Audio earbuds |
| Battery life example | Hours of streaming | Months or even years on a coin cell |
Bluetooth LE is where most of the growth is happening. According to the Bluetooth SIG’s 2025 Market Update, shipments of LE-only devices are growing about 22% per year, while Classic-only devices are declining. The newest audio features, including LE Audio and Auracast, also run on Bluetooth LE.
What Does Pairing Actually Do?
Pairing is more than a convenience step. It is a security process that confirms the two devices are the ones you meant to connect and creates a key that encrypts everything they send afterward.
The Pairing Handshake, Step by Step
- AdvertisingThe accessory broadcasts that it is available and what kind of device it is.
- ScanningYour phone listens and shows nearby devices in its Bluetooth menu.
- Capability exchangeThe devices share what they can do, such as whether either one has a screen or buttons.
- Key exchangeEach device contributes to a shared secret. The full key is never sent over the air.
- ConfirmationYou tap Pair, compare a six-digit code, or enter a PIN, depending on the devices.
- StorageBoth devices save the key so you never have to repeat the process.
The confirmation step protects you from a nearby attacker trying to sit between your devices. Matching codes on both screens proves you are connecting to the device in front of you.
Bonding: Why Devices Reconnect on Their Own
Saving that key is called bonding. Once bonded, your devices recognize each other and rebuild an encrypted link in about a second, with no prompt. That is why your earbuds connect the moment you open the case.
When you tap “Forget This Device,” you delete that saved key. The next connection must start from scratch, which is exactly why forgetting and re-pairing fixes so many stubborn problems.
Pairing vs. Connecting
Pairing
The first introduction, when two devices verify each other and create a shared key.
Connecting
Paired devices link up automatically whenever they come back within range.
A device can be paired but not connected. It is saved in your list; it just is not linked right now.
How Far Does Bluetooth Reach?
Most consumer Bluetooth devices are designed to work reliably within about 30 feet (10 meters). However, there is no single “Bluetooth range.” The Bluetooth SIG notes that effective range can run from less than a meter to more than a kilometer, depending on how a device is built and where it is used.
Approximate ranges in open space. Walls, metal, and your body can shorten them.
What Determines Range
- Transmit power: Stronger transmitters reach farther but use more battery.
- Receiver sensitivity: Better receivers can hear weaker signals.
- Antenna design: Tiny earbuds have tiny antennas; speakers have more room.
- Radio mode: Bluetooth LE’s long-range mode trades speed for distance.
- Obstacles and interference: Walls, metal, water, and other 2.4 GHz devices all weaken the signal.
Typical Range by Device Type
| Device type | Typical real-world range | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless earbuds | About 30 ft (10 m) | Reliable in the same room; your body can block the signal |
| Smartwatches | About 30 ft (10 m) | Designed for wrist-to-pocket distance |
| Portable speakers | 30 to 100 ft | Larger models can cover a yard or patio |
| Car infotainment | About 30 ft | Connects as you approach the car |
| Keyboards and mice | 30 ft or less | Tuned for battery life rather than distance |
| Item trackers | 30 to 400 ft | Long-range modes extend reach |
| Bluetooth LE long range | Several hundred feet outdoors | Needs clear line of sight and support on both devices |
What Shortens Range in Practice
- Concrete, brick, and walls with metal mesh
- Your own body, since 2.4 GHz signals are absorbed by water
- Busy Wi-Fi networks, microwaves, and other wireless gear
- Metal appliances and surfaces that reflect the signal
- A low battery in the accessory
- Phone cases with large metal plates over the antenna
Pro tip: If your music stutters when your phone is in a back pocket, your body is blocking the signal. Move the phone to a front pocket on the same side as your earbuds.
Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi vs. NFC
The simplest way to remember the difference: Bluetooth connects your devices to each other, Wi-Fi connects your devices to the internet, and NFC handles quick taps.
| Feature | Bluetooth | Wi-Fi | NFC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main job | Device-to-device links | Internet and network access | Tap-to-pay and quick pairing |
| Typical range | About 30 ft | About 150 ft indoors | About 1.5 inches |
| Speed | About 1 to 3 Mbps | Hundreds of Mbps to several Gbps | Very low |
| Power use | Very low, especially LE | Higher | Very low |
| Setup | Pair once, then automatic | Network name and password | Hold devices together |
| Needs internet? | No | Usually the point of using it | No |
| Best for | Earbuds, watches, cars, keyboards | Video, browsing, downloads | Payments, transit, quick setup |
These technologies often work together. Your phone may stream a song over Wi-Fi, send it to your earbuds over Bluetooth, and use NFC when you tap to pay for coffee.
Devices That Use Bluetooth
Smartphones remain the hub of the Bluetooth world. Bluetooth SIG data from ABI Research projects about 1.18 billion Bluetooth-enabled smartphones will ship in 2026. Here is how other popular categories compare.
Data: Bluetooth SIG market dashboard, ABI Research forecast (updated July 2026).
Audio Devices
Earbuds, headphones, speakers, soundbars, and hearing aids are Bluetooth’s most visible uses. Earbuds alone are expected to reach about 500 million shipments in 2026, while traditional over-ear headphone shipments are forecast to decline as buyers shift to smaller designs.
Browse Bluetooth over-ear headphones and rugged Bluetooth earbuds at Victra, or explore the full range of phone accessories.
Wearables and Health Devices
Smartwatches, fitness bands, heart rate straps, blood pressure cuffs, smart scales, and continuous glucose monitors almost all use Bluetooth LE. That is why their batteries last days or weeks instead of hours.
See the latest smartwatches at Victra and current smartwatch deals.
Cars
Bluetooth handles hands-free calling, music streaming, and voice assistants in most vehicles. Many newer cars also support digital keys that unlock as you walk up, using Bluetooth to measure distance securely.
Computers and Gaming
Keyboards, mice, trackpads, styluses, and game controllers connect without using up a USB port. Recent Bluetooth updates focus on making these accessories feel faster and more responsive.
Smart Home and Trackers
Smart locks, light bulbs, thermostats, and sensors often use Bluetooth for setup or local control, which keeps working when your internet is down. Item trackers on keys and luggage use Bluetooth to report their location through nearby phones.
Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast
LE Audio is the biggest change to Bluetooth sound since the technology launched. It moves audio onto the low-energy radio and introduces a more efficient codec called LC3.
What LE Audio Changes
- Better sound at lower bitrates: LC3 delivers good quality using less data than the older SBC codec.
- Longer battery life: Earbuds and hearing aids use less power for the same audio.
- Lower latency: Helpful for gaming and keeping video in sync.
- Independent streams to each earbud: No more relaying audio from one bud to the other.
- Built-in hearing aid support: Hearing aids can connect using the same standard as any other device.
Auracast: Broadcast Audio for Everyone
Auracast is an LE Audio feature that lets one transmitter send audio to an unlimited number of nearby listeners. You simply choose a broadcast, much like picking a Wi-Fi network.
Real-world use is growing:
Gate announcements
In January 2026, Frankfurt Airport became the first airport in the world to send gate announcements over Auracast. Munich Airport has also introduced the technology.
Shared listening
Two or more people can listen to the same audio from one phone.
TV audio
Gyms, bars, and waiting rooms can broadcast TV sound to personal earbuds.
Assistive listening
Theaters, lecture halls, and places of worship can replace bulky listening systems.
Which Phones Support Auracast?
Support depends on your phone and your earbuds:
- Android: Google has expanded LE Audio Auracast support to recent Pixel phones, many Samsung Galaxy models, and some other Android devices. You can share audio with friends using a QR code or Fast Pair.
- iPhone: As of October 2026, iPhones do not natively support Auracast or LE Audio. Apple did not announce support at WWDC26 in June 2026.
Your earbuds, headphones, or hearing aids must also support LE Audio. Look for “LE Audio” or “Auracast” on the box. Hearing aid users can also explore Eargo hearing aids at Victra.
Bluetooth Channel Sounding
Channel Sounding is one of the most important recent Bluetooth features. Introduced with Bluetooth 6.0 in 2024, it lets two devices measure the distance between them with centimeter-level accuracy in a way that is hard to fake.
Why It Matters
Find lost items faster
Trackers can show how far away your keys are and in which direction.
Safer digital keys
Cars and smart locks can confirm you are truly nearby before unlocking.
Better indoor navigation
Precise distance helps guide you through large buildings.
Channel Sounding on iPhone
At WWDC26, Apple announced Bluetooth Channel Sounding support in iOS 27 for finding accessories, with iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air among the supported devices. Expect more trackers and accessories to take advantage of it over the coming year.
Bluetooth Versions Explained
The Bluetooth SIG updates the core specification regularly. Since 2025, it has followed a twice-yearly release schedule. Each version usually improves speed, efficiency, privacy, or security rather than changing how you use your devices.
What Each Recent Version Added
- Bluetooth 5.02016
Up to four times the range and twice the speed of 4.2 for low-energy connections.
- Bluetooth 5.2Early 2020
Laid the foundation for LE Audio and the LC3 codec.
- Bluetooth 5.32021
More efficient connections and better performance in crowded areas.
- Bluetooth 5.42023
Two-way communication with very large numbers of low-power devices, such as electronic shelf labels.
- Bluetooth 6.0September 2024
Channel Sounding for secure, precise distance measurement.
- Bluetooth 6.1May 2025
Device addresses change on an unpredictable schedule for better privacy and efficiency.
- Bluetooth 6.2November 2025
Much shorter connection intervals for snappier controllers, keyboards, and styluses, plus stronger protection for Channel Sounding.
- Bluetooth 6.3May 2026
More accurate and faster Channel Sounding, plus radio efficiency improvements.
What Is Coming Next: Bluetooth HDT
The Bluetooth SIG is developing High Data Throughput (HDT), which would raise Bluetooth LE’s top data rate from 2 Mbps to as much as 7.5 Mbps, nearly four times faster. HDT is still being finalized and is not yet available in consumer products, but it points to better audio, quicker file transfers, and more capable wearables in the future.
Why the Box May Not Show a Version Number
The Bluetooth SIG now encourages manufacturers to describe the specific features a product supports rather than the specification version it was tested against. So instead of only checking for “Bluetooth 6,” look for the features you want, such as LE Audio, Auracast, or Channel Sounding.
Do You Need the Newest Version?
Bluetooth is backward compatible, so new devices work with older ones. However, a connection only uses features that both devices support. If you pair brand-new earbuds with an older phone, you get the older phone’s capabilities.
For everyday music and calls, any device with Bluetooth 5.0 or later works well. The newest versions matter most if you want Auracast, precise item finding, digital car keys, or the lowest possible latency for gaming.
Does My Phone Have Bluetooth 6?
Many flagship phones released since late 2025 support Bluetooth 6. Here is where some popular models stand.
| Phone | Bluetooth support | Auracast | Channel Sounding |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max | Bluetooth 6 (Apple N1 wireless chip) | Not supported as of October 2026 | Supported with iOS 27 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Bluetooth 6.0 | Supported | Check Samsung’s specifications |
How to Check Your Phone’s Bluetooth Features
- iPhone: Apple lists Bluetooth details under Tech Specs on its website for each model.
- Android: Check the manufacturer’s spec page, or look under Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences for LE Audio or audio sharing options.
Shopping for an upgrade? Compare the latest Apple, Samsung, and Google phones, or see today’s Verizon deals at Victra.
How to Fix Common Bluetooth Problems
Most Bluetooth problems come down to four causes: the accessory is not in pairing mode, an old saved connection is getting in the way, something is blocking the signal, or a battery is running low.
From the Victra store floor: The issue we see most often is earbuds that will not pair with a new phone because they are still connected to the customer’s old phone. Turning off Bluetooth on the old device, or forgetting the earbuds there, usually fixes it in seconds.
The Devices Will Not Pair
- Put the accessory in pairing mode. This usually means holding a button until a light flashes, not just turning it on.
- Make sure it is not already connected to another phone, tablet, or laptop.
- Keep both devices within a few feet of each other.
- Turn Bluetooth off and back on.
- Forget the device and pair it again from scratch.
- Restart both devices if nothing else works.
Forget a device
Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the ⓘ icon next to the device, then tap Forget This Device.
Forget a device
Go to Settings > Connected devices, tap the gear icon next to the device, then tap Forget or Unpair. Menu names vary slightly by manufacturer.
Audio Keeps Cutting Out
- Keep your phone on the same side of your body as your earbuds.
- Reduce distance and remove obstacles between devices.
- Move away from microwaves and busy Wi-Fi routers.
- Charge both devices.
- Disconnect other Bluetooth accessories you are not using.
- Update your earbuds’ firmware through the companion app.
The Device Does Not Appear in the List
The accessory is almost certainly not in pairing mode. Many devices only advertise for a minute or two before going quiet. Start pairing mode again and check your phone right away. If it still does not appear, it may be connected to another device nearby.
Earbuds Switch to the Wrong Device
Many earbuds support multipoint, which keeps them connected to two devices at once, such as a phone and a laptop. If audio jumps unexpectedly, disconnect the device you are not using or turn off multipoint in the earbuds’ app.
Your Car Will Not Connect After a Phone Update
Delete the phone from your car’s Bluetooth list and forget the car on your phone. Then pair them again. Also check whether your car’s infotainment system has a software update available.
Audio and Video Are Out of Sync
Bluetooth adds a small delay. Most streaming apps adjust for it automatically, but some games and browsers do not. Restarting the app often helps. Earbuds and phones that support LE Audio or low-latency modes reduce the lag noticeably.
Still stuck? Bring your phone and accessory to a Victra store near you, or contact our team. Our Verizon experts can help you pair and troubleshoot your devices.
Is Bluetooth Secure?
For everyday use, Bluetooth is reasonably secure. Modern connections are encrypted, pairing requires authentication, and devices regularly change the address they broadcast so they are harder to track. Newer versions continue to strengthen privacy, including the address-randomization improvements in Bluetooth 6.1.
How Bluetooth Protects Your Connection
- Encryption for data sent after pairing
- A key exchange that never sends the full secret over the air
- Code confirmation during pairing to block interceptors
- Rotating device addresses to make tracking harder
- Short range, which means an attacker must be physically close
Vulnerabilities Still Happen
No wireless technology is perfect. In 2025, security researchers disclosed PerfektBlue, a set of four vulnerabilities in a Bluetooth software stack used in the infotainment systems of several car brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Skoda. Problems like this are usually fixed through software updates, which is why keeping your devices up to date matters.
Sensible Precautions
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends a few simple habits:
- Turn Bluetooth off when you are not using it.
- Keep your device in hidden mode rather than discoverable mode when you are not pairing.
- Unpair your phone and clear your personal data from rental cars before returning them, and from your own car before selling it.
We also recommend:
- Accepting only pairing requests you started yourself
- Installing updates for your phone, earbuds, watch, and car
- Removing old devices you no longer own from your Bluetooth list
Should You Leave Bluetooth On?
Your smartwatch, earbuds, car, health monitors, and item trackers reconnect automatically, and features such as digital car keys need it. On a modern phone, the battery impact is small.
The FCC advises turning Bluetooth off when you do not need it, because an active radio gives attackers more opportunity to discover your device.
A balanced approach is to keep Bluetooth on if you rely on connected devices, keep your software updated, and switch it off in crowded public places when you are not using any accessories.
Is Bluetooth Safe for Your Health?
Bluetooth uses low-power, non-ionizing radio waves. Non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to damage DNA the way X-rays or UV rays can.
Bluetooth accessories transmit at much lower power than a phone does during a call, and devices sold in the United States must meet FCC limits for radio frequency exposure. The World Health Organization’s cancer research agency classifies radio frequency energy in general as “possibly carcinogenic,” a category that reflects limited evidence and calls for more research. To date, there is no established evidence that normal Bluetooth use harms human health.
If you would like to reduce your exposure anyway, take breaks from wearing earbuds, use speaker mode for long calls, and keep volume at a comfortable level to protect your hearing.
Common Bluetooth Myths
MythBluetooth uses mobile data
Not true. Bluetooth connects devices directly and never touches your data plan. When you stream music, the data is used to download the song over Wi-Fi or cellular. Sending it from your phone to your earbuds costs nothing.
MythBluetooth drains your phone’s battery
Mostly not true. On a modern phone, leaving Bluetooth on uses very little power, and Bluetooth LE was designed specifically to sip energy. Your screen and cellular radio use far more. For bigger battery culprits, see why your phone battery drains so fast.
MythBluetooth is only for headphones
Not true. Audio is the best-known use, but Bluetooth also powers smartwatches, medical monitors, digital car keys, smart locks, item trackers, store shelf labels, and indoor navigation.
MythYou have to re-pair every time
Not true. Pairing happens once. If a device keeps asking to be paired again, the saved key is being lost, often because of a firmware glitch or a full pairing list on the accessory.
MythBluetooth charges your devices
Not true. Bluetooth only carries data. Wireless charging uses a separate technology. Learn more about the benefits of wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bluetooth do?
Bluetooth lets nearby devices exchange data directly over low-power radio, without cables or a network. It sends audio to earbuds and car stereos, sensor data from watches and health devices, and input from keyboards, mice, and game controllers.
Does Bluetooth need Wi-Fi or the internet?
No. Bluetooth is a direct device-to-device connection and works without internet or cellular service. You can use Bluetooth earbuds on a plane in airplane mode, as long as you turn Bluetooth back on.
Does Bluetooth use mobile data?
No. Bluetooth itself never uses your data plan. If you stream music or podcasts, the content uses data while it downloads over Wi-Fi or cellular, but the Bluetooth link to your earbuds is free.
Why do Bluetooth devices need to pair?
Pairing confirms that two devices are the ones you meant to connect and creates a shared encryption key. Without it, any nearby device could connect to your headphones or read what your smartwatch is sending.
How far does Bluetooth reach?
Most consumer devices work reliably within about 30 feet. Walls and your own body can shorten that distance. Larger speakers may reach 100 feet or more, and Bluetooth LE long-range modes can cover several hundred feet outdoors with a clear line of sight.
Can Bluetooth connect to more than one device at a time?
Yes. Your phone can stay connected to a smartwatch, earbuds, and your car at the same time. Many earbuds also support multipoint, which keeps them connected to a phone and a laptop and switches to whichever one is playing audio.
What is the difference between Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy?
Bluetooth Classic keeps a continuous connection open and is common for traditional audio streaming. Bluetooth Low Energy sends small bursts of data and sleeps in between, using far less power. It is used by wearables, trackers, sensors, and newer LE Audio earbuds.
What is Bluetooth 6.0, and do I need it?
Bluetooth 6.0 introduced Channel Sounding, which measures the distance between devices very precisely for item finding and digital keys. You do not need it for everyday music and calls, but it is worth having if you want the latest tracking and access features.
What is Auracast?
Auracast is a Bluetooth LE Audio feature that lets one device broadcast audio to an unlimited number of nearby listeners without pairing. It is being used in airports, gyms, theaters, and for sharing music between friends.
Does the iPhone support Auracast?
Not yet. As of October 2026, iPhones do not natively support Auracast or LE Audio. Many recent Android phones, including newer Pixel and Samsung Galaxy models, do support it.
Is Bluetooth secure?
For everyday use, yes. Connections are encrypted, pairing requires confirmation, and device addresses change to prevent tracking. To stay safe, accept only pairing requests you started, keep your devices updated, and turn Bluetooth off when you do not need it.
Should I leave Bluetooth turned on?
It depends on your needs. Leaving it on lets your watch, earbuds, car, and trackers reconnect automatically with little battery impact. The FCC recommends turning it off when not in use for better security, especially in public places.
Why does my Bluetooth audio keep cutting out?
The most common causes are distance, obstacles, and interference. Your body absorbs Bluetooth signals, so a phone in a back pocket is a frequent culprit. Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, and low batteries can also cause dropouts.
How do I know which Bluetooth version my phone has?
Check your phone’s tech specs on the manufacturer’s website. Since manufacturers are now encouraged to highlight features over version numbers, also look for terms such as LE Audio, Auracast, and Channel Sounding.
The Bottom Line
Bluetooth is the quiet link that keeps your phone, earbuds, watch, car, and smart home working together. It pairs once, reconnects automatically, and uses very little power. With LE Audio, Auracast, and Channel Sounding, it is also becoming better at sharing sound, finding lost items, and unlocking doors.
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