Today, you can find it in almost any electronic device, including smart televisions. If you’re anything like me, cables surrounding your television are aggravating.
It makes the whole area look cluttered and messy. Bluetooth technology can help clear up some wires, especially if connected to a surround sound system.
Unfortunately, not all televisions have Bluetooth technology. Most newer smart televisions will come standard with it, but some of the less expensive models won’t. You can purchase a Bluetooth adapter if your smart TV doesn’t have Bluetooth technology if you want the feature.
If you’re considering purchasing a new smart TV and you want it to include Bluetooth technology, I’ve come up with this guide to help you along with the process.
Do All New Smart TVs Have Bluetooth?
Even though Bluetooth has become a standard feature for tons of electronic devices, not all smart TVs will come equipped with it.
Currently, these are all TVs equipped with Bluetooth technology:
- Hisense – A6, A60, and A6G series
- Hisense – H55, H65, H8, H8G, H8G1, and H9 series
- Hisense – Laser TV, U6, U7, U8 & U9 series
- LG – UN7300, UN7370, & UN8500 series
- LG – Nanoclass 81, 85, 90, & 99 series
- LG – A1, BX, CX, GX, WX, & ZX series
- Samsung – 6, 7, 8, & 9 series
- Samsung – Frame, Serif, Sero, and Terrace series
- Samsung – Q60T, Q70T, Q80T, Q90T, Q800T, & Q900TS series
- Sony 2022 models -XR-Z9K (75,85), XR-A95K, XR-A90K, XR-A80K, XR-X95K, XR-X90K, KD-X85K, KD-X80K, KD-X75K
- Sony 2021 – XR-Z9J, XR-A80J, XR-A90J, XR-X90J, XR-X91J, XR-X92J, KD-X79J, KD-X80J
- Sony 2020 – XBR-Z9H, XBR-Z8H, XBR-A8H, XBR-X850H, XBR-X900H, XBR-X950H, XBR-A9S
- Sony 2019 – XBR-A8G, XBR-A9G, XBR-X850G, XBR-X950G, XBR-Z9G
- Sony 2018 – XBR-A8F, XBR-A9F, XBR-X780F, XBR-X830, XBR-X850F, XBR-X900F
- Sony 2017 – XBR-A1E, XBR-X850E, XBR-X900E, XBR-X930E, XBR-X940E, XBR-X950E
- Sony Bravia X80K
- Toshiba – Fire TV Editions
Since new TVs are continuing to be manufactured with up-to-date technology, the list of Bluetooth TVs is constantly being updated. You can find an up-to-date list on Best Buys’ website once you filter options based on “Bluetooth” under the features section.
What Can A Bluetooth TV Do?
Bluetooth TVs tend to be more expensive than regular smart TVs, so one may wonder whether or not the extra investment is worth it. In my opinion, a Bluetooth TV is worth the investment.
Bluetooth-enabled TVs allow you to do the following:
- Connect wireless headphones or speakers to the TV
- Use your smartphone as a remote (you can do this on non-Bluetooth TVs as well)
- Sync a wireless keyboard to the TV
- Stream music from an iPod or smartphone to your TV
- Cast your smartphone’s screen and apps (you can do this on non-Bluetooth TVs as well)
I like to listen to the TV through my Bluetooth headphones when others in my house are sleeping.
How To Make A TV Bluetooth
Secret Service Menu
Every digital TV has a secret service menu. This menu allows users to access some advanced menus and options that allow you to change, enable, and disable certain features in your TV that you couldn’t otherwise.
If you’re confident in your technological abilities, you can use a certain combination of codes on your remote to access the menu and see if Bluetooth can be enabled from there. You have to enter the proper combination on your remote or you can “brick” your TV. This means that the TV will become useless, like a brick. Also, accessing this menu will void your TV’s warranty.
It can take a couple of tries to get the codes right before it works, so don’t get discouraged too quickly if the menu doesn’t instantly pop up. It’s important to take your time when putting in codes and going through the menu. Don’t change any other settings while you’re in there.
Smart Phone App
One of the easiest ways to get Bluetooth on your TV without actually having Bluetooth on it is to download the TV manufacturer’s app on your smartphone and then use it to connect to your TV. for instance, you can use the Roku smartphone app that allows you to use your phone’s Bluetooth capabilities.
From this app, you’re able to sync your phone’s Bluetooth to your headphones or speaker and listen to yoru TV through them. It’s not the perfect solution, but it’s a quick fix. You may be able to do the same with other TVs such as Amazon and Apple. The Roku app will only work with a Roku television.
With this Roku app, you can operate your TV without needing a physical remote control. You can access the menus, change channels, turn up the volume, activate the private listening mode, and more as long as your phone and TV are connected to the same wireless network.
Bluetooth Transmitter
If you can’t get Bluetooth through the secret service menu and the TV doesn’t have a dedicated smart app, there’s one more option left. You can invest in a Bluetooth transmitter.
This transmitter is the same as the one you would plug into the aux port of your vehicle. The transmitter will plug into the aux port of your television and you can then transmit sound to a Bluetooth device.
Fortunately, these small devices are only $10 for the simple ones. You should first make sure your TV has an aux port on it that you can use. Not all TVs will come with one, especially older ones. If your TV doesn’t have a headphone jack, you can use a Bluetooth transmitter that can be connected via optical, aux, RCA, or USB.
How To Enable Bluetooth On A Smart TV
Enabling Bluetooth on a smart TV may be different for each manufacturer. Here’s how to access Bluetooth on certain TVs:
Samsung
- Press Home on your remote to open Smart Hub
- Navigate to Sound Settings
- Select Sound Output
- Choose Bluetooth Speaker List
- Choose your Bluetooth device and click on Pair
LG
- Go to Settings
- Select Advanced Settings
- Go to the Sound Menu
- Select Sound Out
- Select LG Sound Sync Bluetooth
- Choose Detect
- Choose the device you want to pair
TCL Roku
- On your remote, press the Home button
- Scroll down to Settings
- Select Remote & Devices
- Pair the device
TCL Android
- Press the Home button on your remote
- Go to Settings
- Scroll to Remote and Accessories
- Click on Add Accessory
- Choose your Bluetooth device from the list of nearby devices
Sony
- Press Home on your Sony remote
- Scroll to Settings
- Choose the Select button
- Go to Network & Accessories
- Choose Bluetooth Settings
- Press Select button
- Select Bluetooth Off
- Highlight ON and press the Select button
Hisense
- Press Menu on your remote
- Navigate to Settings
- Select Network or Remote & Accessories
- Choose Bluetooth
- Select your device
Toshiba
- Choose Settings from the TV main screen
- Select Controllers & Bluetooth Devices
- Click on Other Bluetooth Devices
- Wait for your device to appear in the Discovered Devices list
- Wait for pairing to complete
What Other Wireless Options Do Smart TVs Have?
Mobile High Definition Link
A mobile high definition link (MHL) is a wireless connection that allows you to mirror your device onto a smart TV. This is helpful if you want to show something from your phone on your TV. The mirrored screen is projected on one of your HDMI screens on your TV.
Many smart TVs will have MHL built into them. You can check this in your user manual to determine which HDMI slot your MHL connection is located. If your TV doesn’t have an MHL, you can purchase one.
After you purchase an MHL-to-HDMI adapter, you simply connect the adapter to a USB power supply. You will then connect the adapter using an HDMI cable and you should see an MHL icon appear on the status bar of the MHL device after a connection has been established.
WiFi
WiFi is pretty self-explanatory. It’s required to stream different things such as Hulu, Pandora, and Netflix. Aside from being required to stream and surf the web, Wifi is also required to connect your MHL-compatible device to your smart TV.
If you plan to stream content from your smartphone or tablet to your TV, your smart TV will need to be connected to the same wireless network as your mobile device. The router will act as a relay, bouncing the necessary information to display on your TV.
Some smart TVs will use WiFi to connect to a remote control app, such as the Roku app. You install the app on your smartphone or tablet and connect it to the smart TV on the same wireless network, just like MHL connections.
USB Adapters and Other Plug-In Accessories
If your smart TV doesn’t have WiFi, you can give it WiFi with a compatible wireless dongle that attaches to the USB port of your smart TV. Each smart TV manufacturer will have its list of compatible dongles for your TV. You can also connect a wireless keyboard and mouse to your TV via the same USB connector.
I use a wireless keyboard to type my username and passwords into streaming apps. It’s a lot quicker than trying to use a remote.
There are other devices you can connect to your TV to create wireless connectivity, such as Chromecast. A Chromecast device is plugged into your TV’s HDMI port which will then allow you to mirror compatible apps on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to yoru TV. Similar to MHL, your device and Chromecast device has to be connected to the same WiFi port to work properly.
Voice Command
If your smart TV comes with a smart remote, you can talk to your remote using voice commands to change channels, look for a video, and control the volume. Some smart TVs can even be told to change the channel or go to a certain streaming app when you command it to.
With voice commands, you can even program your TV to turn on at a certain time. This is handy if you want your TV to turn on while you’re not in the home to deter burglars from breaking into your home.
What Can You Connect Via Bluetooth To Your Smart TV?
Speakers & Headphones
If you’re like me, you like to keep the house quiet while your family is sleeping. Maybe you want to listen to your favorite TV show or movie without having to watch it or be in the same room. This is all possible with Bluetooth headphones and speakers.
The speakers on TVs aren’t that great, so Bluetooth speakers can give you an even better TV experience. Not to mention, Bluetooth speakers create less clutter on your console.
Smartphone & Tablets
New smart TVs will have an optional app you can download from your phone or tablet’s respective play store. This will allow you to control your smart TV without having a physical remote. The connection may require either Bluetooth or WiFi. If it requires WiFi, you will need to ensure both devices are connected to the same network.
Keyboard and Mouse
A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse used with yoru tablet can make a great addition to your smart TV. You simply pair the Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse by accessing the settings of your TV. You will then be able to use your smart TV as if it were a desktop computer.
As mentioned before, I like to use this option when I need to sign into a new streaming service. I also use it if I don’t want to look at a small tablet screen. I will connect my tablet to the TV and do what I need to do on the big screen.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things you can do with your smart TV if it has Bluetooth connectivity. It’s particularly helpful if you have a Bluetooth surround system. This will eliminate wires that can make your wall or entertainment center look cluttered and unattractive.
Remember, if your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth, you can give it Bluetooth connectivity with a transmitter. They’re inexpensive and you can find them on Amazon or at stores such as Walmart and Target.
