How to Stream Audio to a Computer via Bluetooth

Streaming audio from a phone or other device to your computer over Bluetooth allows you to enjoy music or audio wirelessly. This guide walks you through setting up audio streaming to a Windows or Mac computer.

Step 1: Prepare Your Devices

Before starting, ensure both your computer and the device from which you want to stream audio support Bluetooth. Also, it’s important that your computer’s Bluetooth drivers are up-to-date. Most laptops have Bluetooth built-in, but if you're using a desktop, you might need a Bluetooth adapter.

Step 2: Enable Bluetooth on Both Devices

On your phone or tablet, open settings and activate Bluetooth. On your Windows or Mac computer, go to Bluetooth settings and enable it as well. Make sure both devices are discoverable for pairing.

Step 3: Set Up Bluetooth Audio on Windows

• Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices.
• Click “Add Bluetooth or other device” and select your device from the list.
• Confirm pairing if prompted to complete the connection.

After successfully pairing, configure your computer to receive the audio signal.

Configure Audio in Windows

• Open Sound settings and go to the Recording tab.
• Find your Bluetooth device in the list and select it as the default playback device.

Step 4: Set Up on Mac OS

The Bluetooth pairing process on Mac OS is similar but has its own specifics:

• Open System Preferences and select Bluetooth.
• Enable Bluetooth and select the device from which you want to stream audio.
• Once paired, go to Sound in System Preferences.
• Under the Input tab, select your Bluetooth device as the audio source.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If audio doesn’t stream, try reconnecting the devices or restarting Bluetooth. In some cases, updating Bluetooth drivers or rebooting the computer may help.