How to Find a Lost Bluetooth Device (2024)

Use a Bluetooth scanner app on your phone

By

Andy O'Donnell

How to Find a Lost Bluetooth Device (1)

Writer

  • Auburn University

Andy O'Donnell, MA, is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a senior security engineer who is active in internet and network security.

Updated on June 17, 2023

Reviewed by

Lisa Mildon

How to Find a Lost Bluetooth Device (2)

Reviewed byLisa Mildon

  • Southern New Hampshire University

Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. Her writing has appeared in Geekisphere and other publications.

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What to Know

  • Make sure Bluetooth is on. Download and then open a Bluetooth scanner app and start scanning.
  • When found, move around to measure the proximity of the device.
  • If you lost Bluetooth headphones or another audio device, send some loud music to it using a music app.

When you set up a Bluetooth device on a PC or mobile device, you usually pair it to another device. For example, you can pair a Bluetooth device with a car audio system or wireless speaker. This pairing mechanism is critical to helping you find a lost Bluetooth device. Learn how to find a lost Bluetooth device using phones and tablets with iOS or Android.

Locating a Lost Bluetooth Device

As long as your headphones, earbuds, or another Bluetooth-enabled device has some battery life and was turned on when you lost it, the odds are good that you can find it using a smartphone and a Bluetooth scanning app. Several of these apps are available for both iOS and Android-based phones and tablets.

  1. Make sure Bluetooth is active on the phone. Your phone can't pick up the signal from the lost Bluetooth device if the phone's Bluetooth radio is off.

    On Android, access Quick Settings. If the Bluetooth icon is gray, tap it to turn it on. (You may have to swipe left to find Bluetooth.) It's also easy to turn on Bluetooth on an iPhone in the Settings app.

  2. Download a Bluetooth scanner app. For example, download LightBlue for iPhone, or get LightBlue for Android. This kind of app detects and lists all Bluetooth devices broadcasting nearby.

  3. Open the Bluetooth scanner app and start scanning. Locate the missing Bluetooth item in the list of found devices and note its signal strength. (Be sure to enable location services.) If it doesn't show up, move around in the location where you think you might have left it until it shows up on the list.​

  4. When the item shows up on the list, try to locate it. If the signal strength drops (for example, goes from -200 dBm to -10 dBm), you've moved away from the device. If the signal strength improves (for example, goes from -10 dBm to -1 dBm), you're getting warmer. Keep playing this game of Hot or Cold until you find the phone.

    How to Find a Lost Bluetooth Device (3)

  5. Play some music. If you lost Bluetooth headphones or another audio device, send some loud music to it using the phone's music app. Chances are, you can control the volume of the Bluetooth headset on the phone, so crank up the volume and listen for music coming from the headset.

FAQ

  • How do I rename a Bluetooth device?

    On most Android devices, to change the Bluetooth name, go to Settings>Connected Devices>Connection preferences> Bluetooth > Device name. To rename on iOS devices, go to Settings > Bluetooth > Choose connected Bluetooth accessory > Name.

  • How do I unpair a Bluetooth device on my Android?

    First, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Next, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth. Select the cogwheel next to the device you want to unpair > Unpair.

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How to Find a Lost Bluetooth Device (2024)

FAQs

How to Find a Lost Bluetooth Device? ›

With the Bluetooth device powered on and paired, open the Find My Device app on your Android device. If the Bluetooth headphones or earbuds are paired with the Android device and have Find My technology, then they will appear in the app. Tap your device on the list.

Is there a way to locate lost Bluetooth devices? ›

With the Bluetooth device powered on and paired, open the Find My Device app on your Android device. If the Bluetooth headphones or earbuds are paired with the Android device and have Find My technology, then they will appear in the app. Tap your device on the list.

Is there a way to detect Bluetooth devices? ›

Using the BluetoothAdapter , you can find remote Bluetooth devices either through device discovery or by querying the list of paired devices. Make sure you have the appropriate Bluetooth permissions and set up your app for Bluetooth before attempting to find Bluetooth devices.

Is there an app to detect Bluetooth devices? ›

Bluetooth Radar can detect all nearby devices. Find and select your lost device on the list, then move around slowly and keep watching the signal strength, estimated distance, and hints on the screen. When it reads "Your Device Is Here!", please look around. You should find your device nearby.

How to manually search for a Bluetooth device? ›

On your phone, open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth (or Settings > Connections > Bluetooth). Make sure Bluetooth is turned on (the button should be blue). Check your Bluetooth device and make sure it's turned on and in discovery mode. Wait for it to show up under Available Devices on your phone.

How do I find a hidden Bluetooth device? ›

What to Know
  1. Make sure Bluetooth is on. Download and then open a Bluetooth scanner app and start scanning.
  2. When found, move around to measure the proximity of the device.
  3. If you lost Bluetooth headphones or another audio device, send some loud music to it using a music app.
Jun 17, 2023

How do I find my Bluetooth device if I forgot this device? ›

ON ANDROID, GO TO SETTINGS > CONNECTIONS > BLUETOOTH.
  1. Go to the Settings menu.
  2. Select the Connections option and then tap Bluetooth.
  3. Find your device in the list of available devices and.
Nov 19, 2021

How do I find a Bluetooth device that won't show up? ›

If you don't see your Bluetooth device displayed in the list of devices, you may need to set your Bluetooth devices discovery setting to Advanced. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices .

Can Bluetooth devices be tracked? ›

Here's how to know if they're watching you. Apple and Google are working together to alert users if there's a Bluetooth device tracking them. Here's how to detect if they are and what to do about it.

How to find an unpaired Bluetooth device? ›

Set up, unpair, or find a Bluetooth accessory

Swipe down from the top of the screen. Touch and hold Bluetooth . If your accessory is listed under "Available media devices," next to your device's name, tap Settings . If no accessories are listed under "Previously connected devices," tap See all.

What is the best Bluetooth finder? ›

The best Bluetooth trackers you can buy: Expert tested
  • Apple AirTag | Best Bluetooth tracker overall. ...
  • Tile Pro | Best Bluetooth tracker for long-distance tracking. ...
  • Eufy Security SmartTrack Card | Best Bluetooth tracker for wallets. ...
  • Jiobit Smart Tag | Best Bluetooth tracker for kids and pets.
Jun 3, 2024

How to detect Bluetooth trackers? ›

Check for trackers near you
  1. On your device, tap Settings.
  2. Tap Safety & Emergency Unknown tracker alerts. Scan now. Your device takes about 10 seconds to complete a manual scan.

Does Bluetooth Finder work? ›

The sound or light signal can then guide the user to the lost item. It is important to note that Bluetooth thing finders have a limited range, typically up to 100 feet. This means that if the lost item is out of range, the Bluetooth thing finder may not be able to locate it.

Can someone connect to my Bluetooth without me knowing? ›

Modern Bluetooth devices generally require some kind of pairing sequence before they begin communicating with each other. This makes it difficult for someone with a Bluetooth device to connect to your device(s) without permission.

How do I kick someone off Bluetooth? ›

Delete Paired Bluetooth Connection - Android
  1. From a Home screen, do one of the following to ensure Bluetooth® is turned on from your Android™ device: Navigate: Settings. Connected devices. Connection preferences. Bluetooth. . Navigate: ...
  2. Tap the appropriate device name or the. Settings icon. (right).
  3. Tap 'Forget' or 'Unpair'.

How do I find previously paired Bluetooth devices? ›

Assuming you are on a smart phone running android, you can go to settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Bluetooth and it will show a list of connected device and previously connected devices. Normally phone can connect to one Bluetooth device at a time and multiple BLE devices.

Why is Bluetooth not finding devices? ›

If your Bluetooth devices won't connect, it's likely because the devices are out of range, or aren't in pairing mode. If you're having persistent Bluetooth connection problems, try resetting your devices, or having your phone or tablet "forget" the connection. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

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