How do I connect my Android smartphone to my Windows 7 laptop with Bluetooth so I can transfer files wirelessly My laptop said it came with Bluetooth, but I’m not sure how it works or if it’s even on.
Check the settings on both the phone and the laptop to make sure the Bluetooth function is turned on and in “discoverable†mode so they can sense each other’s wireless Bluetooth signal. On the Windows 7 computer, go to the Start menu and select Devices and Printers on the right side.
In the box that appears, right-click on the icon for your laptop and select Bluetooth Settings from the contextual menu. On the Options tab in the Bluetooth settings box, turn on the checkbox next to “Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer.†You should also turn on the options that allow other Buetooth devices to connect to the computer, and for alerting you when they do. For easy access to the Bluetooth settings, turn on the checkbox to add a Bluetooth icon on the Windows Notifications area.
If you want to share files between the phone and computer, click the Share tab in the Bluetooth settings box and turn on the option for “Allow remote devices to browse, send, and receive pictures, music and other files.†Click the OK button when you are finished in the Bluetooth settings box.
You need to make sure the Android phone is set up for Bluetooth use as well. The steps will vary based on the version of Android being used, but you can usually find them in the Settings area, under “Wireless & networks.†Google has sample steps for turning on Bluetooth and pairing the phone with other Bluetooth devices in Android 2.3 and Android 4.0; your phone’s manual should also have the information.
“Pairing†devices means that you formally introduce the phone to the computer so they can connect to each other. To pair the two from the PC, go back to the Start menu to the Devices and Printers area. In the Devices and Printers box, click “Add a device†at the top to start the Windows software wizard that walks you through the steps for connecting computer to phone.
Microsoft’s frequently-asked-questions page for Windows 7 and Bluetooth has more information and troubleshooting tips if you get stuck. The site called 7Tutorials has detailed istructions for and transferring files between a Windows 7 PC and a phone over a Bluetooth connection as well as using the Bluetooth Device control panel.
