Ever wonder why your new wireless earbuds sound better or connect faster than your old ones? The Bluetooth version built into your smartphone and accessories plays a huge role, dictating speed, range, power efficiency, and support for features like high-quality LE Audio. Knowing your phone’s Bluetooth version helps you understand its capabilities and ensures you get the best performance when pairing devices.
But finding that specific version number isn’t always obvious. Here’s how to figure out what Bluetooth version your smartphone packs.
Why Your Phone’s Settings Won’t Tell You
Unlike Wi-Fi standards, your phone’s main Settings app (under Bluetooth or Connections) typically doesn’t display the specific Bluetooth version number (like 5.0, 5.2, or 5.3). You’ll usually just see options for pairing, connection status, and device names. To find the version, you need to dig a little deeper.
How to Check Your Smartphone’s Bluetooth Version
Method 1: Check the Official Specs
The most reliable way is to consult your phone’s official technical specifications.
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Visit the manufacturer’s official website (e.g., Samsung, Apple, Google Pixel) and find the product page for your specific phone model. Look for the detailed specs or datasheet section.
- Check reputable mobile specification databases like GSMArena.com. Search for your phone model; the Bluetooth version is usually listed under the ‘Comms’ or ‘Connectivity’ section.
Method 2: Use a Hardware Info App (Android)
For Android users, several free apps can scan your device’s hardware components and report the Bluetooth version.
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Download a trusted system information app like AIDA64 (recommended in the original article) or CPU-Z from the Google Play Store.
- Install and launch the app.
- Navigate to the ‘System’ or ‘Device’ section within the app.
- Scroll through the list until you find an entry for ‘Bluetooth Version’. The app will display the specific version number supported by your phone’s hardware (e.g., 5.1, 5.2, 5.3).
Understanding Recent Bluetooth Versions (Simplified)
Bluetooth versions are backward compatible (a BT 5.3 phone works with BT 4.2 headphones, but you won’t get all the 5.3 features). Here’s a quick rundown of key improvements in commonly found recent versions:
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Bluetooth 4.x (especially 4.2): Introduced Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for better power efficiency in wearables and sensors.
- Bluetooth 5.0: Major jump offering double the speed, four times the range, and increased data broadcasting capacity compared to 4.2 LE.
- Bluetooth 5.1: Added direction-finding capabilities (Angle of Arrival/AoA, Angle of Departure/AoD) for more precise location tracking.
- Bluetooth 5.2: Introduced LE Audio, enabling lower-power, higher-quality audio streaming, broadcast audio (Auracast), and better support for hearing aids.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Enhanced connection reliability, improved power efficiency, and better security features.
- Bluetooth 5.4 (Newest): Further improves security and enables bidirectional communication in broadcast scenarios (like retail electronic shelf labels).
Can You Upgrade Your Phone’s Bluetooth Version?
Unfortunately, no. The Bluetooth version is tied directly to the wireless radio chip (hardware) integrated into your phone’s System-on-a-Chip (SoC). You cannot upgrade it through a software update. If your phone shipped with Bluetooth 5.0, it will always have Bluetooth 5.0.
Related: Tips to stay safe from Bluetooth hacks
Video Guide
Here’s a video walkthrough demonstrating how to check the Bluetooth version using an Android app:
