Does Bluetooth use data? - Asda Mobile (2024)

What is mobile data?

Mobile data allows you to access the internet on your phone while not connected to Wi-Fi (like your home broadband).

How much mobile data you have available to use depends on the restrictions set by your phone plan.

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless form of technology that supports the connection between devices without the need of cables.

You can use Bluetooth to:

  • Pair your smartphone with wireless headphones
  • Connect your phone to a pair of speakers
  • Connect your laptop to your television
  • Connect your phone to your car

Bluetooth also allows you to transfer files wirelessly between devices.

Access on an iPhone

Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Turn toggle on [green] to see a list of compatible devices > Turn toggle off [grey] to disable Bluetooth

Access on an Android

Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap to switch on (or off) > Review list of compatible devices

How does Bluetooth work?

Bluetooth works by using radio waves to connect two devices, such as your phone and computer.

You don’t actually need a phone signal or internet connection to use Bluetooth. This means that it can work anywhere in the world, as long as the devices you’re trying to link are both Bluetooth-compatible.

Does Bluetooth use mobile data?

In short - no.

You don’t need to turn on your phone’s data to activate Bluetooth, nor will it consume any mobile data whilst enabled.

If you find your data depleting while you’re using Bluetooth, it’s probably an app that’s using the data. Maybe it’s Spotify or YouTube if you’re listening to music, or Netflix if you’re streaming TV while travelling.

But Bluetooth doesn’t need mobile data, an internet connection, or even a phone signal to work.

Should you leave Bluetooth on all the time?

You shouldn’t leave your Bluetooth on all the time. Not only will it drain your battery faster, but you could be opening up a security threat.

When you have Bluetooth turned on, your device is hunting for a compatible device to pair with it. Anyone else’s device in the vicinity with Bluetooth turned on will also appear on the list to try and connect to.

Saying that, you can’t just easily connect to someone else’s phone or headphones - devices typically require passwords to pair. This doesn’t mean that more skilled, tech-savvy hackers won’t be able to intercept your device, though, To be on the safe side, it’s best to turn Bluetooth off when you’re not using it.

Having Bluetooth enabled will also drain your battery faster. If you’re noticing that your smartphone’s power is draining quicker than normal, you might want to switch off any wireless technology to preserve juice.

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Does Bluetooth use data? - Asda Mobile (2024)

FAQs

Do you need mobile data to use Bluetooth? ›

No, Bluetooth does not make use of cellular data in order to function. Instead, it uses radio waves to connect devices. As a result, Bluetooth can work even if you don't have an Internet connection or cellular service.

Does Bluetooth count towards data usage? ›

Does Bluetooth use mobile data? In short - no. You don't need to turn on your phone's data to activate Bluetooth, nor will it consume any mobile data whilst enabled. If you find your data depleting while you're using Bluetooth, it's probably an app that's using the data.

Does Bluetooth drain mobile data? ›

Bluetooth does not use a phone's data allowance at all; it is entirely independent, just as using a WiFi connection on most modern smartphones automatically overrides the use of mobile data in order to save using it unnecessarily.

Can Bluetooth work without internet? ›

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that uses radio waves to connect devices. It does not require an internet connection to work. This means that you can use Bluetooth to connect devices even if you are in an area with no WiFi or cellular coverage.

Is Bluetooth the same as mobile data? ›

So, does using Bluetooth also use data? The best bit about using Bluetooth is that it doesn't use your mobile data plan at all. This is because it uses a totally different transmitter and receiver than the one your phone uses to get 3G, 4G, and 5G internet.

Does Bluetooth use more data than Wi-Fi? ›

Basically Bluetooth's PHY layer uses low data rate's because low data rate require very little power. WiFi is designed as a wireless rival of Ethernet. So bandwidth [speed] matters. So WiFi's physical layer [PHY] is designed to have higher data rates.

Should Bluetooth be on all the time? ›

While Bluetooth is beneficial for many applications, be careful how you use it. My advice: Turn off Bluetooth when you're not using it. Keeping it active all the time makes your device more discoverable. As a bonus, keeping Bluetooth off will increase your device's battery life.

Why am I suddenly using so much cellular data? ›

Streaming and loading media in HD quality

With the higher quality of media content on social media platforms these days, the loading of such content also uses up more mobile data than usual. The constant stream of images, videos, and auto-play features can quickly accumulate data usage.

What counts as data on a mobile phone? ›

If you're using the internet on your phone, and it's not connected to Wi-Fi, you're using mobile data. All the information is sent and received by your smartphone via a wireless 3G, 4G or even 5G connection.

Should I keep Bluetooth on or off? ›

You've no doubt heard news stories over the years about these security and data breaches, so we recommend always switching off Bluetooth when you don't need to use it. On top of that, always try and keep an eye on your phone to make sure it never automatically connects to any devices that are nearby.

What happens if I clear Bluetooth data? ›

Removing your Android device's cache files may help fix disconnection issues. You can clear the Bluetooth's data cache on the phone or tablet to completely reset Bluetooth—this is harmless both to your device and to your Square Reader for contactless and chip.

Which is better Wi-Fi or mobile data? ›

Unsecured WiFi networks may expose users to potential hacking attempts, data interception, and other cyber threats. In contrast, mobile data networks are generally considered more secure. Encryption protects data transmission over these networks, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to your private information.

Is it better to connect by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? ›

Simply put, a Wifi connection gives you the best sound. This is because it has much greater bandwidth. With a wireless connection, the files that are played do not need to be resized or changed before they are sent. Audio file resizing works just like a photo - the smaller the file size, the lower the quality.

What does Bluetooth enabled mean? ›

“Any device that is Bluetooth-enabled allows connected devices to interact with each other.” For example, it allows you to hook up your phone to your car, as well as get your wireless mouse to work with your laptop.

What does Bluetooth require? ›

Bluetooth relies on short-range radio frequency, and any device that incorporates the technology can communicate as long as it is within the required distance. The technology is often used to allow two different types of devices to communicate with each other.

Why is my Bluetooth not connecting? ›

When an Android phone won't connect, it could be due to various issues ranging from software glitches to problematic settings. Try clearing the cache and data for Bluetooth apps in 'Settings' under 'Apps. ' A system reboot can also resolve temporary software hiccups.

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