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(12.3.2-en) Bluetooth Tool

Owned by Emese Pogany
Jul 26, 2023
3 min read

With the Bluetooth Tool, you can connect Bluetooth devices, e.g. a keyboard, a mouse, or a headset, to your endpoint device in IGEL OS. 

In order to be able to use Bluetooth, it must be enabled under Devices > Bluetooth.

If your endpoint device does not support Bluetooth, it is necessary to connect a Bluetooth USB adapter to it. 


Menu path: Devices > Bluetooth > Bluetooth Tool



The starting methods parameters are described under (12.3.2-en) Starting Methods for Apps. 

Using Bluetooth Tool

The Bluetooth Tool supports the following coupling methods, i.e. the mutual authentication of the Bluetooth device and endpoint device:

  • Automatic PIN selection: Pairing with automatic PIN allocation 
  • 0000, 1111, 1234: Pairing with a fixed PIN (for most headsets, mice, or GPS devices)
  • Custom PIN: Pairing with a fixed PIN entered by the user.


In addition, Bluetooth devices that do not require pairing are also supported.

Connecting a Bluetooth Device with Automatic PIN Selection

  1. Ensure that the coupling mode is enabled on the Bluetooth device.

  2. Start the Bluetooth Tool.
    The Device search dialog will be shown.

  3. Enable Show unnamed devices if you want to include unnamed Bluetooth devices in the search list.
    After a few seconds, the Bluetooth devices found by the endpoint device will be displayed.

  4. Select the desired Bluetooth device.

  5. Under Options, enable Automatic PIN selection.

  6. Click Pair.

  7. A PIN will be shown in the dialog on your endpoint device.

    • If the PIN is identical to the PIN shown on your Bluetooth device, confirm the coupling.

    • If a Bluetooth device requires the manual entering of a PIN (e.g. keyboard), type in the PIN shown in the dialog.
      In a few seconds, the status of the connection will be shown.

Connecting a Bluetooth Device with a Fixed PIN

  1. Ensure that the coupling mode is enabled on the Bluetooth device.

  2. Start the Bluetooth Tool. 
    The Device search dialog will be shown.

  3. Enable Show unnamed devices if you want to include unnamed Bluetooth devices in the search list.
    After a few seconds, the Bluetooth devices found by the endpoint device will be displayed.

  4. Select the desired Bluetooth device.

  5. Under Options, select one of the specified PINs or enable Custom PIN and enter the PIN for the Bluetooth device. You will find this PIN in the documentation for your Bluetooth device.

  6. Click Pair.
    In a few seconds, the status of the connection will be shown.

Canceling Coupling to a Bluetooth Device

  1. Start the Bluetooth Tool.
    The connected Bluetooth device will be shown in the Device search dialog.

  2. Highlight the connected Bluetooth device and click Unpair.
    The status of the connection will be shown.

Enabling Support for Devices That Do Not Require Coupling

  1. In the Setup or the configuration dialog of the UMS, go to System > Registry > devices > bluetooth > connect_only and activate Connect devices without pairing (registry key: devices.bluetooth.connect_only).

  2. Save the changes.

  3. Start the Bluetooth Tool.
    The Device search dialog will be shown.

  4. Highlight the desired Bluetooth device. 

  5. Under Options, enable Connect without pairing and, if required, Connect after reboot.


  6. Click Connect.

    Some devices do not connect automatically after the reboot. To fix that, you can use the following command in a script:

    bluetoothctl connect <device-ID>

    The return value tells you if the device is connected (0) or not (1).