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How to transfer files between computer and mobile device using bluetooth

What is Bluetooth? How can I have it on my computer? Bluetooth wireless technology is a communication technology that allows two devices to communicate wirelessly. Most of the notebooks are nowadays equipped with bluetooth. For those notebooks or computers that don’t, you can use a bluetooth dongle to add the functionality and it just costs […]

bluetooth_dongle

What is Bluetooth? How can I have it on my computer?

Bluetooth wireless technology is a communication technology that allows two devices to communicate wirelessly. Most of the notebooks are nowadays equipped with bluetooth. For those notebooks or computers that don’t, you can use a bluetooth dongle to add the functionality and it just costs you around $5. Although higher price range bluetooth dongles are available but it makes no sense of buying them if you just plan to connect your mobile device to the computer. Look for one that has Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR (Enhance Data Rate) supporting speeds of upto 3Mbps and with Vista support. You can easily have one of that kind in just $5.

Setting up bluetooth to work on your computer

  1. Just Insert the bluetooth dongle in the USB.
  2. It should get detected by your Operating System and should be ready to use. In case it is just detected as a new hardware, you need to install drivers for it that came with your bluetooth dongle (You can try Google to find the drivers).
  3. Once drivers are installed, a bluetooth notification icon will appear in your system tray.
  4. Right Click on it to access Settings (This may vary with your bluetooth dongle).
  5. Make sure you have turned Discovery On (It allow others to see your computer).
  6. Switch Onthe bluetooth on the mobile device.

    bluetooth_dongle_settings

To transfer files from PC to Mobile

There are different methods by which you can send files. Again this might vary with your bluetooth dongle. You have the option of selecting the tray icon and then select Send a file or alternatively you can Right Click on the file and select Send To. Both the method sending files may or may not be available with every bluetooth dongle you use. But both the method invokes the same thing that we will invoke directly to transfer files and is available in the WinXP built.

1. Hit Win + R, type in fsquirt and hit Ok.

fsquirt_run

2. Select Next and then select Send a file.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_1

3. Hit Browse for searching the device and select your device in the next window.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_3

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_4

4. Select Next and then select the file to send via bluetooth by clicking on browse.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_5

5. Select Next and it will try to connect with the device selected.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_7

6. Accept the incoming connection on the mobile device and the transfer starts.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_8

To transfer files from Mobile to PC

Your PC cannot accept files if you just send files from your bluetooth device. Although it will get detected but you will receive a message “Unable to connect”. You need to make your PC ready to accept incoming connections.

1. Hit Win + R, type in fsquirt and hit Ok.

fsquirt_run

2. Select Next and then select Receive a file.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_2

3. Your PC is now waiting for incoming connections.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_6

4. Send the file via bluetooth from your mobile device to PC by selecting Send via Bluetooth option.

5. The transfer will start and when it is completed, you are asked for the location where you want your file to be saved.

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_9

bluetooth_dongle_transfer_10

Bonus Tip :

You can create a shortcut to simply greet you with the option of either sending or receiving a file.

Right Click on empty space on your desktop. Select New > Shortcut. Type in fsquirt and you are done.

Now you can use this shortcut everytime you need to transfer files between your PC and mobile device.

UPDATE:
Several people were asking how they can transfer multiple files at once so they don’t have to repeat the instructions for recieving every single file so I would like to update it here. First of all the solution depends on your case. If you are using a cell phone, then try using its Pc suite software. It might offer a functionality to access phone’s content directly and then you can select and copy all the stuff at one go. Secondly, if you are using some other device, then you can try a software called Blue Soleil.

 

147 responses to “How to transfer files between computer and mobile device using bluetooth”

  1. shivansh says:

    quite helpful tutorial, keep it up…..bro…. πŸ™‚

  2. Ashfame says:

    @Shivansh
    Thanks buddy. πŸ˜€

  3. Ashish Mohta says:

    Pretty Neat tool How it costs?

  4. Ashfame says:

    @Ashish
    I have mention this in the post.
    This bluetooth dongle only costs 400INR ~ $4 200INR ~ $5 and is bluetooth v2 + EDR

  5. Ashish Mohta says:

    Oops must have missed. 400INR is not bad at all. I will see if I can buy it soon. Stumbled

  6. Ashfame says:

    @Ashish
    Oops wrong mathematics.
    It costs 200INR ~ $5
    Corrected in the post.
    BTW Thanks for the Stumble.

  7. damien says:

    my fne keeps trying to get a service list first before i can send files. why?

  8. Ashfame says:

    @Damien
    Which handset are you using? And please be more descriptive about the problem so that I can help you.

  9. Tallal Mughal says:

    can anyone tell me . if we want to transfer more then one file… then what to do through mobile to pc…?/

    thanks and regards..

  10. Ashfame says:

    @Tallal
    By the method described here, you need to accept each file manually.
    Alternatively you can use PC suite software for this thing or Bluesoleil drivers
    If you need more help, feel free to ask here.

  11. Ranjit says:

    Thank you very much

  12. Ashfame says:

    @Ranjit
    You are welcome.

  13. Amy says:

    Thanks,
    I have a question, my computer cannot detect any device to transfer file to. I did turned on the blue tooth on my cellphone.

    help.

    Amy

  14. torie wilson says:

    Nice information on bluetooth and data transfer.
    Read more on mobile phones at [deleted]

  15. Nikunj says:

    Thanks, This website provides good information. Can I make calls or send sms from my computer using the Bluetooth USB Dongle?

    If not, is there any other device which provides this facility?

  16. Ashfame says:

    @Amy
    Is the cellphone in range? Are you able to transfer file to any other mobile device from your PC & mobile.
    @Nikunj
    I have heard of softwares like Bluetooth Dialer that let you call from PC through mobile but have not used it myself.

  17. gladiator says:

    Excellent !!! You solved my problems !!!!!!!!!!!

  18. Ruki says:

    VERY HELPFUL!

    REALLY!

    THANK YO!

  19. Runny says:

    hey,I see thiz tut helped out alot of ppl.Iz there a way to check you pc to see if it has bluetooth.When I right click any filez it doesnt have a bluetooth option.Hmmm I have a sidekick lx nd it containz bluetooth.Can I try searchin for bluetooth devicez but then if my pc doesnt have it turned on(or dont kno if it is in the pc but disabled at the moment)then how can I find out to see if it came with it.Im trying to advoid calling dell up,lol.I have Windowz vista model: Inspiron 1520 laptop.It waz one of the new onez nd it should of came with one so im curiouz,thankz.

  20. wasim says:

    thank u for this

  21. Paul Shady says:

    Dude.. you’re awesome. I find out how to send files, you could always right click on files and sent to then bluetooth.. (sometimes not available) but this way is straight up cool

    Thanks man!

  22. Balkrish Varada says:

    good,usefullllllllllllllllll….

  23. Anu says:

    Nice…relaly helpful πŸ™‚

  24. Minal says:

    Is it possible to transfer more than 1 file using bluetooth dongle??????? Please answer.

  25. soleh says:

    Thank you very much say by myself. Its so easy now for me to send picture from my handphone to pc.

    Hope you’ll dominate your interest discipline pal

  26. moidu says:

    Thank you.It is very help to me.

  27. zakir says:

    hiiiiiiii its very nice combination of ideas lets me know how to transfer data from computer to nokia 2600 mobile in details

  28. Ice says:

    my computer cannot detect any device to transfer file to. I turned on the blue tooth on my cellphone but still it doesn get detected,,, my mobile is able to transfer files with other mobiles and i kept it in range only

  29. Ice says:

    @ashfame
    My pc doesn receive files either,,,The wizard says file transfer cannot be completed,,with a message (An address incompatible with the requested protocol was used)
    Wat do i do?

    • Ashfame says:

      @Ice
      Then the problem might be with your bluetooth device. Try it on a different computer or if possible then try a different bluetooth device with your current computer.

  30. Ice says:

    Thanks πŸ˜‰

  31. ab says:

    Hi
    Can I use my mobile bluetooth as a bluetooth for computer and transfer file to another mobile.
    If yes , can u just explain it.

    • Ashfame says:

      @ab
      No you can’t. You will need a bluetooth dongle as shown in the article. Its a USB one which you can just plug into a USB port just like pen drives. It costs around 200bucks (INR) or 4USD.

  32. Earl Kulog says:

    I am transferring almost every minute of every day files from bluetooth devices such as mobile phones to my computer for printing ID pictures and other purposes and not just one file from every phones. It is obviously too annoying that you have to right click that blue icon on your system once for every single file being transferred from the device to my PC. Ain’t there any way to make this thing easier, like for example having a prog that manages this file transfer of which window is there always open that waiting from devices’ file transfer request?

    • Ashfame says:

      @Earl Kulog
      You can use PC suites for cell phones & mobiles. Other than that using some third party softwares like Blue Soleil (pardon me if the spelling is incorrect I have corrected the name) can access the phone all at once and let you copy multiple files at a time.

  33. SALEEM says:

    Very good / nice / detailed / /simple /easy to understand explanation,

    thanks alot

  34. Earl Kulog says:

    In your illustration, you showed how to transfer file from a bluetooth device to pc using the MS Windows’ way. Well, that’s good and simple. But, how about if you are transferring almost everyday not just one file and not just from single bluetooth device, shall I run this fsquirt (or the quicker way, right-click on the bluetooth icon in the system tray and click accept files) again and again to receive every single file from a bluetooth device. Take note, the average count of files being transferred to my pc from a single bluetooth device is 8. Think of it, you have 3 people in line that will ask you to do that!

  35. Earl Kulog says:

    OK, thank you. Know what, I need a software like that. I have infact downloaded a trial version of Medieval OBEX File Transfer. May you please verify the spelling of that app you are suggesting…

  36. Ashfame says:

    @Earl
    You found it already – Blue Soleil πŸ˜‰

  37. joseph says:

    thanks…

  38. sushan says:

    thank you so mush…..
    rock you :):) πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚
    good work

  39. avash pani says:

    very good article. very informative.
    but i want a way in which my pc can receive files automatically . ie pc should be ready to receive from paired devices.
    is there any method.

  40. Me says:

    For some reasons, it doesn’t work..:(

  41. Owais says:

    Thanks alot!!! ur tutorial was very much helpful.. But iis very inconvenient to transfer 1 file at a time when v ‘ve a large number of files… can u plz guide me how to transfer multiple files at a time between pc and mobile device using bluetooth.. Hope u reply soon… thanks… waitin 4 ur reply bro…

  42. vinu says:

    thnx……..[:)]

  43. Ashfame says:

    @Owais
    Read the updated section of the post.

  44. Ni3 says:

    Thanks dude, You saved my time.

  45. Cindy says:

    This was the most useful and accurate instructions I have found on the internet. No difficulties at all!

  46. Slava says:

    Dear Sirs,

    I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your advises how to transfer files
    between PC and mobile via Bluetooth. I have been using my Nokia N95 8GB for
    more than two years and during the first year there was no problem with exchanging
    files via Bluetooth (WIDCOM/Bradcom). However in the last year it became impossible
    to send files fom mobile to PC.
    I have been looking for salvation everywhere and could not find.
    At last I found it here!!
    Once again thank you vey much.
    Best regards
    Slava

  47. Rishi says:

    THANKS BRO it helped me a lot

    THANK U

  48. karam says:

    hi dears how to download this sowfter

  49. karanachi says:

    I have a question, my computer cannot detect any device to transfer file to. I did turned on the blue tooth on my cellphone

  50. we are need the code this softwares code plz help me within 4,5 days plz

  51. omar says:

    thanks very much for yur nice explanation that hep me

    thanks man

  52. karam says:

    hellooo dear friend how to i download it i don’t no ???
    hellp plzzzzzz ……….. thanks

  53. George says:

    I have two computers. One is a desktop, one a netbook. Neither has wireless capability. If I buy two bluetooth dongles and connect one to each computer, will they be able to communicate with each other? WillI be able to send files between them? If I connect a bluetooth dongle to my printer, will I be able to print documents from my netbook? Thanks for your help. Thanks also for a very helpful description of bluetooth and file transfering. It was very understandable. George.

    • Ashfame says:

      Yes you can share files among them via PAN (Personal Area Network). Use Bluesoleil for this. Its very easy. Speed of Bluetooth is not high enough to transfer large files. Decide as per your requirements and regarding connecting to the printer, I didn’t get your point exactly. However I have heard of printers who come with Bluetooth integrated and can print files over a Bluetooth connection.

  54. rach says:

    hey cant we download this from the net ?? bdw , thanx a lot for the info !! πŸ™‚

  55. Riley says:

    I have a question, i just got a new bluetooth and it said it was suposed to charge for 2 hours but it charged for like 2 mins. whats wrong ?

  56. Tom says:

    Hi Ashfame,
    I wonder if you can help? I have a Nokia 2630 and I am trying to get connected with my PC. I’ve bought a usb bluetooth dongle but when I try to turn bluetooth on my mobile to on from off, nothing happens. It just will not turn on. Surely it can’t be that complicated? (:/

  57. Tom says:

    I’ve tried that already.

    • Ashfame says:

      Try with a different dongle if possible or try connecting with a laptop which has bluetooth.
      It has happened to me that my old Nokia 3230 will get detected by my dongle but not by that of my friend.

  58. subu says:

    i tried doing the fsquirt but i get the message ‘windows cannot find fsquirt’

  59. Kanishk says:

    Hi dude
    Thanks for the info. I have LG KP199 and I want to transfer multiple photos from my mobile to my pc. Could u plz help me out in this regard?

  60. Nice explanatory tutorial

  61. Ameen says:

    I was able to send files from PC to Mobile. But was looking receive files from Mob to PC. Your tutorial was very useful. Appreciate it.

    Thanks

  62. Charity hodges says:

    Will a Bluetooth connection work with an iPhone and iTunes? Or do you need to connect directly through a USB port?

  63. Rehan says:

    Really helpfull guide line man, keep the good work up. Best of luck. πŸ™‚

  64. jawad says:

    dear in my pc there is no option of discovery on!!! wher is it located?
    i m using ISSCBTA billion ton.
    PLZ TELL ME SOON

  65. vinod says:

    An address incompatible with the requested protocol was used.

  66. Marko says:

    Hey,i do everything good but when i press on my cell phone button send via bluetooth it automaticly start sending it to my PC and my PC doesn’t ask me when i want to save my receiving files…Any help please? Thanks.

  67. friend says:

    love you bro

  68. Subhan Ahmad says:

    Great job man.

  69. Jake says:

    Nice buddy

  70. lizz says:

    i just bought a bluetooth device usb today. i tried sending files from PC to mobile but its giving me a gray box for authentication. what will i do now? please help..

  71. Kat says:

    While waiting at th drs. office i did a google search on file transfer with Bluetooth. I found your site and am delighted! Awesome instructions that appear to be quite clear and precise:-) will try as soon as i get home. Thank you so much for this. I will definitely return here for further assistance.

  72. sam says:

    I can’t send more than 100mb data to my phone any options?

  73. kerby says:

    Hey guys could you help me??
    I can’t type my Bluetooth name on Fsquirt??

  74. jithin says:

    thank u very much for ur kind info. i was searching for a long time for this

  75. Harish says:

    I want bluetooth for my system!

  76. Harish says:

    I can’t send more than 100mb data to my phone any options?

  77. Fabijoe says:

    Great, clear and simple! Thank you!
    (Why it is missing from my cellphone’s description…?)

  78. iluvstrat says:

    Thank you very very much, very nice tutorial

  79. MONU says:

    “Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service.”

    WHEN I TRY TO SEND A FILE … I GET THIS MESSAGE ….. AND IT STOPS THE TRANSFER…CAN ANYONE HELP PLZ????????????

  80. zara says:

    hey em not able to send files thru ma mobile. . . cn u plz hlp m out. . . em able to snd fles frm pc but not frm mobile. . .plz hlp m πŸ™

  81. rahul says:

    how can we delete the file on computer or enter any alphabet in a notepad using our mobile connected to the computer via a bluetooth

  82. aarti bajaj says:

    that is really helpfull.. was looking for the exact solution… m glad tht u solved my problem.. thanks..

  83. Ritabrata says:

    plz help me here!I am UNABLE TO SEND .MP4 FILES VIA THIS METHOD.IT SAYS “INSUFFICIENT SYSTEM RESOURCES PRESENT TO COMPLETE THE REQUEST” but i have 1GB MICRO SD CARD IN MY PHONE. PLZ plz HELP ME!!!

  84. bipin tripathi says:

    thank you very much……………………….

  85. SAMSON SOUZA says:

    Thanx alot man…………..
    I thought that it would not be possible to send files from mobile to PC .well Thanx once again

  86. maham imran says:

    good! but can you tell me that how can i open computer bluetooth?

  87. Meda says:

    I have a Samsung S3650 Corby, and i want to send a video to my PC and he said Sending failed how can i do to send a file to my PC and no error message?

  88. deffy says:

    Thanks..

  89. saurav says:

    thanks

  90. Manogna says:

    Nice one..pretty helpful!!

  91. Cindy says:

    Does this work with all computers and all phones?

  92. raca says:

    Hey!nice tutorial but i have a problem,when i click recevi a file the computer is searching for my mobile service but cant find it,and blootooth on my phone is turned on..help!

  93. Harshad says:

    Thanks 4 the information.Keep Posting such stuff.

  94. viznine says:

    Thank you very much. Simple explanation and it’s working. May god bless you..

  95. Ross Diaz says:

    Thanks a lott…
    Helped me very much….
    May god bless u……

    πŸ™‚

  96. ayesha says:

    ah i have a problem, it is that when ever i reach till the connecting option, the screen shot 5 iam talking about. it tells me connection failed. why is this?

  97. Ahmad says:

    Hey Buddy, Thanks a lot for your tips but The window of saving the file in specific location doesn’t appear!

    It receives the files but I can’t find it anywhere in the pc although I searched for My received files and Bluetooth folder!

    Do you have any idea where to find it as I can’t find it neither in the search!?

  98. Dan Willett says:

    Hi, good tips thanks, is there anyway that this can be used in the same way to transfer files between a windows mobile device and a PC? am trying but just cannot get it to transfer properly?

  99. axel says:

    there is problem for me i can able to send file from pc to mobile but i can’t able to receive a file (mobile to pc). someone pls tell me whats the problem pls pls pls

  100. ShiftyKiki says:

    Can anyone help me out with sending music files from my laptop to my mobile? I have an Asus A6000, so I have bluetooth as standard, and my mobile is a Nokia e63 (Don’t know if that’s relevant). Just don’t know what the heck I’m doing. Help!

  101. Eric Demer says:

    I have a laptop with Bluetooth included. Do I need to purchase the USB type dongle in addition to the Bluetooth already included?

    I have a little Bluetooth dongle that looks like the dongles that come included with the latest wireless mouses (I currently use it to connect my computer to a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Will that work or do I need to purchase the item listed above?

  102. Emmerentia says:

    Hi, i can send from my phone to my pc and the device that i plug into my pc has pared with my phone but i cannot send from my pc to my phone. I use a Samsung Quad band

  103. Ab says:

    very useful buddy ..thnks a ton

  104. gun says:

    Very very thanks ………

  105. PESSIMISTA says:

    i still cannot send file from my phone to my pc though i followed all the instructions. the message “connecting fail” keeps on prompting on my phone. :(( help please.

  106. crazyboy says:

    I’ve a doubt like is there any option to send the files from bluetooth mobile to pc or pc to bluetooth mobile directly with out having the bluetooth dongle as u mentioned above?????

  107. sharmila says:

    coollll really helpfull tanksss

  108. Avi says says:

    Thanks for helpful idea……….

  109. laura says:

    o ka adaryti jeigu neranda failu?

  110. ajinkya says:

    this method does not work
    do u have any other way to connect bluetooth device?

    “An address incompatible with the requested protocol was used.”
    still i’m having this error in sending the file……

    and also i dont know which software shall i install for my billionton bluetooth device?????????

  111. Razu says:

    Hi,
    I have a problem?
    When I Transfer file to Mobile Via Bluetooth from Computer I got a massage Authentication