The recent publicity regarding the dangers of Bluetooth has left many users feeling cautious about connecting their devices. While it’s normal to have reservations about connecting any device to your smartphone or computer, there are plenty of legitimate uses for Bluetooth that are perfectly safe. Unidentified Bluetooth devices may not seem like a threat at first glance, but you never know what might lurk behind those mysterious 9-digit numbers or device names. Some people are paranoid about connecting their smartphones or computers to an unknown Bluetooth device because it could be part of a larger hacker’s attempt to spread malicious software through networks. If you want to keep your personal information confidential and prevent potential hackers from infiltrating your phone or computer, you need to know how to identify unidentified Bluetooth devices before you connect them.
How To Identify Unidentified Bluetooth Devices
Check for the Bluetooth Logo
The first thing you should do when you’re trying to identify an unidentified Bluetooth device is to make sure it’s actually a Bluetooth device. To do this, look for the small blue and white logo on the device. The logo is usually located on the top or bottom of the device, but it may be on a back panel or side panel if the device has an unusual shape. Make sure that your phone or computer has Bluetooth turned on so that you’re able to see all of your nearby devices.
Check for a Device Name
Most unidentified Bluetooth devices have names that are similar to their model numbers, so checking for a name is another good way to identify them. The name will usually appear as part of the 9-digit number that’s assigned to each device, but some models will display only numbers without any text labels. You can also check your smartphone’s settings menu or your computer’s list of nearby devices in order to find a name associated with an unknown number.
Check for Device Information
Most unidentified Bluetooth devices will display information about their model number and other basic details when they connect with your phone or computer, but some models won’t provide this information unless you ask for it specifically. To access this information, tap and hold down on the Bluetooth symbol in your smartphone’s status bar until all of your nearby devices start displaying additional details about themselves in pop-up windows (if they’re capable of doing so).
Check for Device Properties
Some unidentified Bluetooth devices will display their model number and other basic details as part of their device properties, but other models won’t provide this information unless you ask for it specifically. To access this information, tap and hold down on the Bluetooth symbol in your smartphone’s status bar until a pop-up window appears with all of your nearby devices listed in it. Locate the device that you’re trying to identify and tap on its entry in the list to open a new pop-up window with more detailed information about it.
Check for Device Properties
Some unidentified Bluetooth devices will display their model number and other basic details as part of their device properties, but other models won’t provide this information unless you ask for it specifically. To access this information, tap and hold down on the Bluetooth symbol in your smartphone’s status bar until a pop-up window appears with all of your nearby devices listed in it. Locate the device that you’re trying to identify and tap on its entry in the list to open a new pop-up window with more detailed information about it.
How To Increase Your Bluetooth Range
- Turn off your Bluetooth device’s power-saving mode. In many cases, a Bluetooth device that can’t reach your computer or smartphone will automatically switch its connection to the power-saving mode in order to save battery life. To disable this feature, open the settings menu for your device and make sure that the “Power Saving Mode” or “Power Save Mode” option is disabled.
- Make sure that you’re close enough to your Bluetooth devices.
- Move any physical objects between you and your devices.
- Try moving closer to the computer or smartphone that you’re trying to connect with (within 5 feet of it).
- Remove any physical obstructions between the devices (such as walls, doors, floors, and large pieces of furniture).
- Reset both of your devices by turning them off and then on again (turning them off will usually disconnect them from each other).
- Check for software updates for both of your devices (Bluetooth-enabled computer/smartphone)
- Make sure that your computer or smartphone is compatible with your Bluetooth device (most Bluetooth devices are compatible with most computers/smartphones).
- Try connecting to another Bluetooth device that you know is working properly.
How To Send Files In Bluetooth?
- Make sure that the Bluetooth device you want to send the files to is turned on and discoverable.
- Open the file manager of your device and select the files that you want to send.
- Tap and hold down on a file until a pop-up menu appears with several options, including “Send”, “Send via Bluetooth”, “Share”, etc.
- Tap on “Send via Bluetooth” to send the file over your Bluetooth connection, or tap on “Share” if you have multiple options for sending the file (for example, if it’s a picture, you could also choose to share it through email).
- Select the Bluetooth device to which you want to send the file from the list of nearby devices.
- A new pop-up window will appear with a progress bar and a “Send” button. Press “Send” to send the file and close the pop-up window when it’s done.
- The file will now be sent over your Bluetooth connection and saved on your Bluetooth device’s storage space.
Conclusion
Bluetooth is a valuable communication tool that can be used in a variety of ways, but only if you know how to identify and filter out malicious devices from connecting to your phone or computer. If the Bluetooth device is not already in your contacts list, it will be listed as ‘unidentified’. Any device with an ‘unknown’ Bluetooth number is unidentified and should be treated with caution until you can verify its authenticity.
FAQs:
How do I know if I have Bluetooth enabled on my phone?
In the settings menu of your phone, look for the ‘Bluetooth’ option and make sure that it is turned on or enabled (usually in the Wireless & Networks section of your phone’s settings menu).
How do I know if I have Bluetooth enabled on my computer?
In the settings menu of your computer, look for the ‘Bluetooth’ option and make sure that it is turned on or enabled (usually in the Sound section of your computer’s settings menu).
How do I know if someone is trying to hack into my phone or computer over Bluetooth?
If you see a Bluetooth device that you don’t recognize, do not accept the connection request. Unidentified devices may be trying to access your phone or computer without your knowledge and could contain viruses or other malicious software.
