Bluetooth Documentation
This is documentation for the Bluetooth feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My Dell/Apple laptop (or Logitech dongle) is supposed to have Bluetooth built-in, but doesn't show up.
A: You'll need to un-comment the line HID2HCI_ENABLE=true in the /etc/sysconfig/bluetooth file. Start the bluetooth service again with service bluetooth restart as root (or restart your machine) and the Bluetooth device should now be available.
Note: this is not a configuration option in Fedora 11 (updates), and later versions, it is automatic. For Fedora 16 and later, you will need to install the bluez-hid2hci package to enable this feature.
Q: My Dell/Apple/Logitech Bluetooth keyboard and/or mouse stops working on boot (Fedora 11 updates and newer).
A: This is a fall-out of the above. We unfortunately don't have hardware specifications to be able to read the setup devices from the Bluetooth adapter, so you will need to use a wired keyboard or mouse to set them up the first time. For Logitech keyboards and mice it should be enough to press the "Connect" button on the device to make them appear in the Bluetooth wizard.
Browsing files on a remote device
Prerequisites:
- gvfs-obexftp
- nautilus
- bluez-gnome (gnome-bluetooth from F11)
In your panel, right-click on the Bluetooth icon, and select the Browse files on device... menu item. This will bring up a list of devices in the vicinity, as well as known devices. Select the one you want to browse, and click Connect.
Stand-alone Bluetooth printing
Prerequisites:
- bluez-utils-cups (bluez-cups from F10)
- system-config-printer
Select System → Administration → Printing. After having typed in the administrator password, select New Printer in the toolbar. Your printer should appear in the list of printers. Proceed through the wizard.
Note: If it does not, make sure the printer was made discoverable, following its manual.
Note: If the printer isn't detected at all, run /usr/sbin/lpinfo -v in a terminal, and file a bug against bluez with the output in the Red Hat bugzilla.
Note: If the printer driver wasn't automatically detected, run /usr/lib/cups/backend/bluetooth in a terminal, and file a bug against system-config-printer with the output in the Red Hat bugzilla.
Sending SMS/texts via Bluetooth
Prerequisites:
- gnome-phone-manager
Launch the Phone Manager from the System Tools section of the Applications menu.
Setup your mobile phone in the Preferences (right-click on the mobile phone icon in the panel). After having connected to the phone, you should be able to send new messages by right-clicking and selecting Send Message, reception should be automatic.
Using input devices (keyboards, mice, joypads, etc.)
Prerequisites:
- bluez-gnome (gnome-bluetooth from F11)
Right-click on the Bluetooth icon in your panel and select Setup new device..... Go through the wizard.
Note: Make sure the input device is discoverable (as per the user manual), and that it has enough battery power.
Note: If you are trying to pair an Apple Wireless keyboard, you might have to remove the batteries for it to be discoverable and connectable again.
Note: Some keyboards and mice will not reconnect to the computer unless the computer is visible/discoverable. Making it temporarily visible for the device to connect will work around the problem.
Note: If your device does not reconnect automatically to your computer after turning it on, you can select it in the Bluetooth applet's menu. The device's name will appear in bold if it is connected.
Note: The Bluetooth Wacom tablet is the only supported tablet, the kernel driver is present from Fedora 11.
Sending files via Obex Push
Prerequisites:
- bluez-gnome (gnome-bluetooth from F11)
- nautilus-sendto
Right-click on a file or files in nautilus and click "Send to...", and select a destination device.
Note: You can also send attachments in Evolution directly to a remote device without saving them locally, using nautilus-sendto from Fedora 11.
Receiving/Sharing files via ObexFTP and ObexPush
Prerequisites:
- gnome-user-share
Select Share Public files over Bluetooth (ObexFTP) or Receive files in Downloads folder over Bluetooth (ObexPush) in the Personal File Sharing preferences.
PIM (appointments, contacts) synchronisation (Palm only)
Prerequisites:
- gnome-pilot 2.0.16 or newer
To setup your Palm/PC synchronisation:
- Setup your PC as the BT hotsync device on your Palm: Bluetooth → Setup Devices → PC Setup → Bluetooth Hotsync, and select your computer in the list (make sure it's made visible in the Bluetooth applet's preferences)
- Add the Palm to the gnome-pilot setup: Preferences → Hardware → PalmOS Devices and enable some of the conduits
- Ready to Sync! Go to Hotsync on the Palm, select your computer in the drop-down, and click the sync icon.
You can use a tool like BTSync to automate synchronisation.
Remote controls (PS3 Blu-Ray remote)
Prerequisites:
- bluez-utils 3.29 (bluez from F10)
To use the remote control with your computer:
- Make the remote discoverable by pressing and holding the Enter and Start buttons at the same time
- Follow the instructions to setup keyboards and mice above
- If your application supports LIRC (such as Totem or Rhythmbox), you can set up the remote for use with it by launching the Infrared Remote Control preferences.
Audio devices
Prerequisites:
- pulseaudio 0.9.15
- gnome-bluetooth 2.27.2
Right-click on the Bluetooth icon in your panel and select Setup new device..... Go through the wizard.
Note: If your audio device does not reconnect to your computer after turning it on, you can connect it using the drop-down menu in the Bluetooth applet. If it is connected, it will show up in bold in the list.
Note: The support is included in Fedora 11 as a technology preview. Don't expect the support to be flawless, support all device types, or all the features of specific devices.
Internet access through a phone (PAN and DUN)
Prerequisites:
- gnome-bluetooth 2.27.6
- NetworkManager-gnome 0.7.995-0.git20090728 (Fedora 12, for PAN)
- NetworkManager-gnome 0.8.0-0.2.git20100129 (Fedora 13, for DUN)
Set up your phone through the bluetooth-wizard (accessible in the applet and preferences as Set up new device...), and tick the Access the Internet using your mobile phone checkbox. Internet access will now be available from the NetworkManager applet's menu. For DUN, the only difference is that you will have to select your provider's details.