How do I stream music from my Android phone to PC via Bluetooth?

In this guide, I will walk you through the steps to stream music from an Android phone to a Windows PC using Bluetooth. Bluetooth streaming allows you to play music from your phone’s library or streaming apps like Spotify on your computer speakers wirelessly.

I will explain the requirements, how to pair your devices, install any necessary software, and adjust settings to get audio streaming working properly between your Android phone and PC. By following this guide, you’ll be able to enjoy your full music library anywhere with a simple Bluetooth connection.

Requirements

In order to stream music from an Android phone to a PC via Bluetooth, there are a few basic requirements that need to be met:

Android phone with Bluetooth capability. Your Android phone needs to have Bluetooth functionality built-in or enabled via settings in order to connect to other devices.
PC or laptop with Bluetooth capability. Your Windows PC or laptop must have a Bluetooth adapter or built-in Bluetooth in order to receive music streamed from your Android.
The devices need to be within Bluetooth range of each other. Generally, Bluetooth has a functional radius of up to 30 feet without obstructions. Make sure your phone and PC are within range to connect.

Enable Bluetooth on Android

To connect your Android device to your PC via Bluetooth, the first step is to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Android phone or tablet. Here’s how to turn on Bluetooth:

Open the Settings app on your Android device. Tap on “Connections” or “Bluetooth.” This will open the Bluetooth settings screen.

Make sure the toggle next to “Bluetooth” is switched on. If Bluetooth is off, tap the toggle to turn it on. Your Android device will now start scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices.

You may also see a list of “Paired devices” in this screen. This allows you to connect to devices you have previously paired with. We will pair your Android with your PC in the next steps.

Once Bluetooth is enabled on your Android, it will be discoverable by your PC and other devices. Now you need to enable Bluetooth on your PC so the two devices can find each other.

Enable Bluetooth on PC

To play music from your Android phone to your PC via Bluetooth, you’ll first need to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Windows PC. Here’s how to open Bluetooth settings and turn on Bluetooth:

Open the Start menu and go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and other devices. Under the Bluetooth section, turn the toggle for Bluetooth to the On position to enable it. Make sure the toggle is blue/highlighted to indicate Bluetooth is now turned on (1).

If you don’t see a Bluetooth option under Settings > Devices, you may need to install a Bluetooth driver. Check your PC manufacturer’s website for the required drivers. Once installed, you should then see the Bluetooth option.

With Bluetooth enabled on your Windows PC, you can now pair your Android device to your computer (2).

How to Turn on Bluetooth on Windows 10. (2019, March 23). TechGiga. https://www.techgiga.net/how-to-turn-on-bluetooth-windows-10/
Windows Archives – How to Enable – Howtoenable.net. Howtoenable.net. https://howtoenable.net/category/windows/

Pair the Devices

The first step is to get your Android phone and Windows PC to recognize each other over Bluetooth. To do this:

On the Android phone, open the Settings app and ensure Bluetooth is enabled. Then tap on “Pair new device” or “Scan” to search for nearby Bluetooth devices (1). The phone will scan and display a list of available Bluetooth devices, including your PC.

On the Windows PC, open the Bluetooth settings (often found in the System Tray or Start Menu). Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Set the PC to be discoverable by checking the box that says “Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC” (2).

Back on your Android, tap on the name of your Windows PC from the list of available devices. This will send a pairing request to the PC.

A pairing confirmation dialog will pop up on your Windows PC. Accept the request to pair your Android phone. Your phone and PC are now paired over Bluetooth.

Sources:

(1) https://www.wikihow.com/Connect-Your-Android-Phone-to-a-Windows-PC-Using-Bluetooth

(2) https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-connect-your-cell-phone-to-your-pc-through-bluetooth/

Install Software on PC

To stream music from your Android phone to your PC via Bluetooth, you’ll need to install software on your PC that can receive the Bluetooth audio signal. One popular software option is BlueSoleil, which is available as a free download from the official BlueSoleil website. BlueSoleil allows you to connect and manage Bluetooth devices on your Windows PC.

After downloading and installing BlueSoleil on your PC, open the software. You should see the BlueSoleil icon in your system tray. Left click on the icon to open the main interface. This will allow you to connect with your Android phone once it is paired over Bluetooth.

Other software options besides BlueSoleil include Avast SecureLine VPN, which has a built-in Bluetooth receiver, or the native Bluetooth Audio Receiver app available for free from the Microsoft Store, as mentioned in this Microsoft forum thread. The key is to have a program on your Windows PC that can receive the Bluetooth audio signal to enable music streaming.

Connect Phone to PC

Once your Android and PC devices are paired over Bluetooth, you need to install and open Bluetooth software on your PC to connect them. Popular programs include My Phone Explorer, Bluetooth Auto Connect, and Windows 10’s native Bluetooth settings. Open the Bluetooth software and it will scan for nearby devices. Your Android phone should show up in the list. Simply select it to connect your phone to your PC.

The software may prompt you to accept the connection on your Android device. Confirm this to complete the pairing. Once connected, your phone and PC can communicate over Bluetooth. This allows you to stream music and more between the devices.

Play Music on Android

To play music on your Android phone, you will first need to open a music app. The most common music apps on Android include Google Play Music, Spotify, and Pandora. To play a song, simply open your preferred music app and select a song from your library or start a radio station.

For example, to use the native Google Play Music app, open the app on your Android phone. You may need to sign in with your Google account if prompted. Once in the app, you will see options to access your music library, browse featured content, view customized stations, and more. To play a specific song, go to “My Library” and select a song from your uploads or purchases. Tap the song to start playback. You can also start radio stations based on artists, songs, or genres you like.

The controls to play, pause, skip songs, and adjust volume will appear on your screen when a song is playing. Using these controls, you can easily play music and manage playback on your Android device.

Adjust Volume and Settings

Once your Android device is streaming music to your PC via Bluetooth, you may need to adjust the volume and other settings on your PC. The volume of the Bluetooth audio can be controlled independently from your PC’s main system volume.

To adjust Bluetooth streaming volume specifically on a Windows PC:

1. Click the Volume icon in the Windows taskbar and select Volume Mixer. This opens the volume control panel.

2. The Volume Mixer will display separate volume controls for different playback devices, including the Bluetooth audio device.

3. Use the slider to increase or decrease the volume as needed. You can also use this panel to mute the Bluetooth audio if desired.

Additionally, some other settings that can improve your Bluetooth streaming experience include:^[1]

Disable audio enhancements like Loudness Equalization which can affect sound quality.
If the volume is too low even at max, increase the device volume in the Sound Control Panel.
Check that signal strength is optimal between your phone and PC.

Adjust these and other settings as needed to get the best quality Bluetooth audio streaming from your Android phone to PC.

Conclusion

Streaming music from an Android phone to your PC via Bluetooth is a convenient way to enjoy your music collection wirelessly. The main steps covered were: enabling Bluetooth on both devices, pairing the phone and PC, installing any necessary software on the PC, and connecting the phone to play music.

Some troubleshooting tips: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both devices and they are in pairing/discovery mode. If the devices won’t pair, try resetting and forgetting the Bluetooth connection and trying again. You may need to install drivers or additional software on your PC for full Bluetooth capability. Stay close, within 30 feet, for the strongest Bluetooth connection. Adjust volume and other audio settings on both devices to optimize sound quality.

With just a few quick steps, you can stream music seamlessly between your Android phone and PC for an enhanced listening experience anywhere in your home or office.