How do I play music from one phone to another via Bluetooth?
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that allows devices to communicate over short distances, typically up to 30 feet. It operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and enables data transmission between devices that support the Bluetooth standard [1]. Bluetooth is supported by most modern smartphones, tablets, computers, and other devices.
Some key things to know about Bluetooth technology:
- Developed in 1994 by Ericsson, it was named after Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, a 10th century Viking king who united Denmark and Norway.
- Designed primarily for short-range communication like transferring data between devices or connecting peripherals.
- Operates in the 2.4GHz ISM band, which is an unlicensed spectrum that doesn’t require a license.
- Has a theoretical bandwidth of 1Mbps, but practical transfer speeds are usually up to 3Mbps.
- Different versions of Bluetooth have introduced improvements like faster speeds and lower power consumption.
With widespread adoption across devices, Bluetooth has become one of the most popular standards for short-range wireless communication.
Pairing the Phones
To play music from one phone to another via Bluetooth, you first need to pair the two devices to connect them. Pairing allows the phones to find and communicate with each other wirelessly over Bluetooth.
To start, put both phones into pairing or discovery mode by going into the Bluetooth settings. On Android devices, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. On iPhones, go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle on Bluetooth.
With Bluetooth turned on in discovery mode on both devices, each phone will show up in the list of available devices on the other. Select one phone from the list on the second phone to initiate pairing. Confirm pairing on both phones to connect them.
You may have to enter a passcode or confirm a shared key. This passcode is usually 0000 or 1234 but check the screens on both phones to be sure. Entering the same passcode on both devices completes the pairing process.
Once paired successfully, the phones will connect automatically in the future when Bluetooth is on and in range without needing to re-pair. You can now start streaming music over Bluetooth.
For more details, see the pairing instructions for Android and iPhone.
Enabling Media Sharing
To enable media sharing between Bluetooth devices, you first need to open the Bluetooth settings on the source phone. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth. On an Android phone, open the Settings app and tap Connections > Bluetooth. This will show you a list of currently paired devices.
Next, tap on the name of the device you want to share media with. This will bring up options for that device. Look for a toggle to enable Media Audio or Media Share. On iPhone it may say “Share Media” and on Android it’s usually called “Media Audio.” Enable this option.
According to Apple Support, this allows both devices to share media like music tracks over a Bluetooth connection.
Playing Music
Once your phones are paired over Bluetooth, you can start streaming music between them. Here are the steps:
1. Open the music app on the source phone that contains the songs you want to play. This could be an app like Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music etc.
2. Browse and select a song you want to play. Tap the share button which is usually represented by 3 dots or lines.
3. You will see a list of available devices. Select the name of the paired phone to start streaming the music.
The music will now start playing from your phone’s speakers. Use the music app controls on either phone to play, pause, change tracks etc. Check the volume levels if you cannot hear the audio.
Depending on the app and Bluetooth version, you may be able to see playback information and Album art on the receiving phone as well.
Controlling Playback
Once your phones are paired and connected via Bluetooth, you can control music playback in a few ways:
Use the play, pause, next, and previous buttons on the source phone to control playback. The phone playing the music has full control over starting, stopping, skipping tracks etc.
The receiving phone will also have some basic controls available like play/pause when music is actively playing from the source phone. However, options like skipping tracks or viewing the current playlist will need to be done on the source device.
Some users have reported issues with playback controls not working properly especially when trying to control an Android device from an iPhone. Checking for software/firmware updates and restarting both devices can help resolve this in many cases [1]. Using a dedicated Bluetooth media controller can also help ensure playback controls work smoothly across different platforms.
Reception and Range
The reception and range when using Bluetooth to play music between phones can vary depending on the specific Bluetooth version used. According to Crutchfield, Bluetooth typically has a range of about 30 feet. However, the range can be impacted by obstacles between the two devices as well as interference from other electronics using the 2.4 GHz frequency band
(Crutchfield). As the distance between the phones increases, the sound quality will often degrade as well. Modern Bluetooth versions like Bluetooth 5.0 boast longer ranges up to 800 feet, but a maximum range of 30 feet is typical for pairing two phones to stream music.
Battery and Data Usage
When it comes to streaming music over Bluetooth, the impact on battery life and data usage is quite minimal compared to streaming over WiFi. According to research by Android Authority, Bluetooth streaming drains the battery about 1.6% more over 4 hours compared to having Bluetooth turned off. This is a fairly small amount, especially considering most modern smartphones can last over 8 hours of continuous use. The battery drain is even lower with Bluetooth 5.0 and newer versions.
In terms of data usage, connecting phones directly via Bluetooth does not use your cellular data plan at all. As explained by Pointr Technologies, Bluetooth is completely separate from your data network. This makes it more data-efficient for streaming than using WiFi or cellular data. The only exception would be if you were streaming from an online service, in which case data would be used on the device playing the music initially.
Bluetooth Versions
Different versions of Bluetooth technology have been released over the years, with each new version improving speed, range, and capabilities. Phones will show which Bluetooth version they support in the settings. Knowing the Bluetooth version can help explain the connection range and performance you experience.
Most modern phones released in the last few years use Bluetooth 5.0. This version has 4 times the range compared to the previous Bluetooth 4.2 standard, extending wireless connectivity up to 800 feet. Bluetooth 5.0 also allows for simultaneous connections to multiple devices.
Earlier versions like Bluetooth 4.0 and 4.1 have a range of around 30 feet. Going back even further, Bluetooth 2.0 and 3.0 could only transmit data up to about 33 feet away.
So Bluetooth 5.0 on both devices allows you to stay connected and stream music even when leaving the room or stepping outside. Checking your phone’s Bluetooth version in settings can help give you an idea of the expected wireless range. But even 5.0 reception can vary based on interference and obstacles.
Source: https://www.dusuniot.com/blog/how-bluetooth-1-0-2-0-3-0-4-0-and-5-0-compare/
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are having issues getting your phones to stream music over Bluetooth, here are some troubleshooting tips to try:
First, try rebooting both the source phone and the receiving phone. Shut them down completely and restart them. This can help clear up any software glitches that may be interfering with the Bluetooth connection.
If that doesn’t work, try un-pairing the devices and repairing them. Go into the Bluetooth settings on each phone, find the listing for the other phone, and select “Unpair” or “Forget This Device.” Then go through the pairing process again from scratch.
Make sure both phones are compatible with the A2DP Bluetooth profile for streaming media audio. Most modern smartphones support this, but it’s worth checking the specs. Incompatible phones may be unable to stream music over Bluetooth.
Checking device compatibility, rebooting, and re-pairing are often the most effective troubleshooting steps for Bluetooth music streaming issues between phones.
Additional Uses
Bluetooth is not limited to just streaming music between devices. It can also be used to stream other types of audio content like podcasts, audiobooks, radio stations, and more. This makes it easy to listen to your favorite content wirelessly.
Bluetooth is also commonly used for hands-free phone calls in the car. Most new cars have built-in Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to connect your phone to the car’s audio system. Once connected, you can make and receive calls using the car’s speakers and microphone for clear hands-free calling.
Some other examples of Bluetooth audio streaming include:
- Streaming audio from a smart TV to wireless headphones.
- Streaming workout playlists from your phone to a Bluetooth speaker at the gym.
- Streaming music from your phone to a Bluetooth speaker for parties or get-togethers.
So in summary, Bluetooth audio streaming has many versatile uses beyond just playing music between two phones. It provides a convenient way to enjoy audio content wirelessly in different aspects of everyday life.
