How do I share audio via Bluetooth on Android?

Bluetooth audio sharing allows Android devices to broadcast audio to multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously. This feature utilizes the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) protocol to stream audio from one source device to many receiving devices. On Android, audio sharing can be enabled in the developer settings to allow your device to transmit or receive shared audio streams.

With Bluetooth audio sharing, Android users can easily share music, podcasts, audiobooks, and other audio content wirelessly to Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and hearing aids. This provides a more seamless listening experience, especially in group settings. Audio sharing also enables audio broadcasting applications like museum tour guides and audio guides in public spaces.

Some key benefits of using Bluetooth audio sharing on Android include:

Ability to stream audio to multiple listeners simultaneously
Lower latency for real-time audio sync across devices
Conserves battery life compared to classic Bluetooth streaming

Backwards compatible with existing Bluetooth 4.0+ devices
Allows hearing aid users to receive clear audio streams

Pairing Devices

To share audio files via Bluetooth on Android, you first need to pair the two devices. Here are the steps for pairing an Android device with another Bluetooth device like headphones, speakers, or another phone:

First, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your Android device and the device you want to pair it with. On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth and toggle the switch at the top to turn on Bluetooth. Refer to the instructions for your other device to enable Bluetooth there as well.

Once Bluetooth is on, put both devices into pairing mode so they can discover each other. On Android, tap the “Pair new device” button in Bluetooth settings. For other devices, enter pairing mode by following specific instructions which vary by device – this usually involves pressing and holding a button or a combination of buttons until the device is in pairing mode.

With both devices in pairing mode, your Android device should detect the available device to pair with in the list. Tap on the device name to initiate pairing. You may have to verify matching codes or accept a pairing request on one or both devices to fully connect.

Once paired, your devices will automatically connect to each other when Bluetooth is turned on and in range without needing to manually pair each time. You can now share audio files and streams over the Bluetooth connection.

Sharing Audio Files

The most common audio formats shared via Bluetooth on Android devices are SBC and AAC (Source). To share an audio file via Bluetooth on Android:

Open your file manager app on your Android device.

Locate the audio file you want to share. This could be in a folder like Music or Downloads.
Long press on the audio file to select it.
Tap the Share icon, usually represented by an arrow pointing upward out of a box.

Select Bluetooth from the sharing options.
Choose the Bluetooth device you want to send the audio file to from the list.

The audio file will begin transferring to the selected Bluetooth device. Keep the devices within close range while transferring. Once complete, you will be able to play the shared audio file from the connected Bluetooth device.

Streaming Audio

To stream audio from your Android device to a Bluetooth speaker or headphone, first open your preferred music app such as Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music etc. Locate the song, playlist, podcast or other audio you wish to stream. Most apps will have a share or cast icon, tap this and select Bluetooth from the list of available devices. Your paired Bluetooth speakers and headphones should show up here. Simply tap the one you want to stream the audio to and it will begin playing through that device.

Streaming Bluetooth audio from your Android device provides a convenient wireless listening experience. Just make sure your phone and Bluetooth device are within range, which is usually up to 30 feet for most Bluetooth versions. Streaming audio via Bluetooth uses very little battery compared to built-in speakers. There is often a slight delay in the audio transmission over Bluetooth which has improved in newer versions. If latency is an issue, try a different Bluetooth codec like aptX which offers lower latency.^[1]

[1] Improving Latency and Broadening Audio Horizons with LE Audio. Bluetooth Blog. https://www.bluetooth.com/blog/improving-latency-and-broadening-audio-horizons-with-le-audio/

Receiving Files

To receive files over Bluetooth on Android, the device must first be paired and visible to senders. When another device attempts to send a file, the recipient will get a notification asking to accept the file transfer. Tapping ‘Accept’ will allow the file download to begin.

By default, files received via Bluetooth on Android get saved to the Downloads folder. The Downloads app provides a unified view of all files downloaded from the web, apps, email attachments, and Bluetooth transfers. Users can access received Bluetooth files quickly in the Downloads folder without having to hunt through other parts of the file system.

The transfer speed when receiving files via Bluetooth depends on the Bluetooth version supported. Bluetooth 5.0 offers transfer speeds up to 2 Mbps, while Bluetooth 5.1 boosts speeds up to 3 Mbps. For large files, Wi-Fi file transfer may be faster. But for small files under 10MB, Bluetooth provides a quick and easy transfer with no need for a Wi-Fi network.

Overall, Android makes it simple to accept and receive files from nearby devices via Bluetooth. The automatic saving to Downloads and fast transfer speeds of recent Bluetooth versions enables quick wireless file sharing between Android phones and other connected devices.

Troubleshooting

Having issues getting your Bluetooth connection to work properly? Here are some common problems and solutions:

Bluetooth Visibility

If other devices can’t find your Android device for pairing, check that Bluetooth visibility is turned on. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences and ensure Receive files from other devices and Make this device visible to other devices are enabled.

Device Not Pairing

If your Android and the other Bluetooth device won’t pair, first make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both. Check that the devices are within range and restart the pairing process. You may need to unpair the devices and delete prior pairings before trying again. Also check for firmware updates on the Bluetooth device. [1]

File Not Transferring

Check that your devices support the same Bluetooth profiles for file transfer. If sharing from Android, make sure the file type is supported. Restart the transfer and ensure the file size is not too large. Switch to a different file if needed. Problems can also occur if Bluetooth connections are unstable, so move closer together and reduce interference.

Audio Not Streaming

Verify that both devices support A2DP Bluetooth audio streaming. Make sure any prior connections are disconnected. Some devices only allow streaming to one device at a time. Restart your devices and try pairing again from scratch if needed. Interference can disrupt streaming, so get your Android and the other device closer together. [2]

Bluetooth Profiles

Bluetooth profiles define the features, protocols, and procedures that Bluetooth devices use to communicate for specific use cases. There are many Bluetooth profiles, but some of the most relevant for sharing audio on Android include:

A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) – This profile allows for stereo quality audio to be streamed from one device to another over Bluetooth. It is used for wireless headphones and speakers to stream music, videos, and other audio from an Android phone.

AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) – This profile allows remote control functionality for music playback over Bluetooth. Actions like play, pause, skip track, etc. can be sent from an Android device to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones.

OPP (Object Push Profile) – This profile enables the sending of files like photos, audio, etc. over a Bluetooth link. It allows an Android device to share files with other Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth Versions

The Bluetooth specification has gone through several revisions over the years, with each new version introducing improvements in areas like speed, range, and features. Here is an overview of some of the major Bluetooth versions and their differences:

Bluetooth 1.0 and 1.0B were the initial release versions in 1999. They provided up to 721 Kbps transfer speeds and had many compatibility issues.

Bluetooth 1.1 fixed many interoperability issues with the prior versions. It also provided faster connection times.

Bluetooth 1.2 added faster data transfer speeds of up to 1 Mbps. It also introduced new profiles for devices like printers and headsets.

Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, introduced in 2004, included Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) for faster data transfer speeds of up to 3 Mbps. It also improved power consumption.

Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR added Secure Simple Pairing for improved security. It also provided better quality of service for audio streams.

Bluetooth 3.0 + HS introduced high speed data transfer rates of up to 24 Mbps. It also allowed for better power management.

Bluetooth 4.0 introduced Low Energy (BLE) technology for more energy-efficient connections. This allowed small, battery-powered devices like fitness trackers to connect via Bluetooth.

Bluetooth 4.1 refined BLE implementations and usage while boosting data transfer speeds.

Bluetooth 4.2 further improved BLE with faster connection times and better interoperability. It also increased overall data speeds.

The latest version, Bluetooth 5, offers extended range, high data transfer rates, and the ability to create mesh networks for connecting many devices. However, it maintains backward compatibility with older versions.

Each new iteration of Bluetooth builds upon the previous versions. Higher version numbers incorporate the features of earlier versions while introducing new capabilities. This ensures compatibility with legacy Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth Codecs

When transmitting audio over Bluetooth, the audio data is encoded using different codecs that balance audio quality and latency. The main Bluetooth audio codecs are:

SBC (Subband Coding) – This is the default and mandatory codec for all Bluetooth devices. It provides moderate quality at bitrates up to 328 kbps. Latency is typically 100-200 ms.
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) – AAC provides better quality than SBC at similar bitrates. Many Android devices support it. Latency is around 100-150 ms.

aptX – Developed by Qualcomm, aptX has lower latency (around 40 ms) and improved audio quality compared to SBC. It’s supported on many Android devices with Qualcomm chips.
LDAC – An audio codec developed by Sony that can stream at up to 990 kbps. It provides excellent quality but also has higher latency around 200 ms.

So in summary, aptX provides the best combination of audio quality and low latency on Android devices. LDAC offers superior quality but with more latency. AAC gives better quality than baseline SBC, while SBC is universally supported.

Sources:
https://www.soundguys.com/understanding-bluetooth-codecs-15352/
https://avantree.com/knowledge-base/general-different-bluetooth-codecs-latency/

Security

While Bluetooth provides convenient wireless connections, it also comes with potential security risks that users should be aware of. Bluetooth connections can be vulnerable to attacks like bluejacking, bluesnarfing, bluebugging, and man-in-the-middle attacks. According to an article on Alvareztg.com, “Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in Bluetooth devices, compromising data and control.”

To secure Bluetooth connections, it’s important to only pair with trusted devices, avoid using Bluetooth in public areas, and turn off Bluetooth when it’s not in use. You can also make sure to choose pair codes that are not obvious or easy to crack. Setting Bluetooth devices to “non-discoverable” is another way to add a layer of security.

Enabling encryption on Bluetooth connections provides additional protection for data transmission. As the Webroot article suggests, “All Bluetooth versions support encryption, so enabling it significantly reduces the risk of sniffed data. Encryption has become mandatory for Low Energy connections as of version 4.2.” Keeping devices updated with the latest firmware and security patches can also help minimize vulnerabilities.