How to connect a portable speaker to your phone via Bluetooth or USB cable

Why can't my Bluetooth speaker connect to my phone? – this is the first question that follows after purchasing a device. Joy very quickly gives way to bewilderment. Manufacturers now offer a wide selection of accessories that can be paired with a smartphone. And at this stage a number of problems arise, one of which is how to connect a Bluetooth speaker to the phone?

How does a portable speaker work?

The device is a compact acoustic system. Several speakers can be located inside the case. Connection to a laptop, phone or PC is carried out via Bluetooth wireless technology. The absence of cables has increased the operating comfort of the device.

The sound quality of the Bluetooth speaker is not inferior to its analogues, benefiting additionally due to its mobility. For correct operation, a stable pairing and batteries are required. The accessories differ among themselves in power, design, and parameters.

How a wireless speaker works

Today, the shelves of electronics stores are filled with various models of miniature speaker systems that operate wirelessly. Thanks to their compact size, you can take them with you when going outdoors, for a walk, at the beach, or even to a party. They operate stably from an independent power source (rechargeable battery or batteries), and receive a signal thanks to the built-in module.

The operating principle of any portable speaker system is quite simple. It connects to the transmitting device (smartphone or tablet) via one of two wireless channels: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. From the moment you turn on the music on the player, the outgoing signal begins to be encoded and transmitted to the acoustics module. Here it is transformed and output through the speakers in the form of sound or melody.

Budget models are usually equipped with one sound modulator and operate in mono mode. More expensive and advanced ones have several speakers and are capable of playing music in higher quality - stereo sound. In addition, compact subwoofers are built into them to provide bass.

The cost of portable speakers in electronics stores varies from a couple of hundred to tens of thousands of rubles, which is due to a number of indicators. When choosing a speaker system, it is recommended to focus on the following criteria:

• output power;
• nutrition;
• frequency range;
• connection method.

An important indicator that affects sound quality and cost is the brand.

Features of connecting the speaker to the phone via Bluetooth

You can connect the portable speaker to any smartphone, tablet, or PC. The method is universal and does not require the use of additional cables. This increases the battery consumption of the mobile device.

The Bluetooth version for connection is unimportant; it only affects the operating distance and battery consumption.

The procedure is simplified if the device is equipped with an NFC chip. To set up and transfer, you just need to touch the speaker to your smartphone.

If you can't pair a Bluetooth accessory

Find out what to do if you still can't pair your Bluetooth accessory with your device.

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Types of Bluetooth speaker connections

Most of the systems under review are equipped with a 3.5 mm connector (mini-jack). This should not be confused with the headphone output. Information about this is indicated in the instructions or on the panel. The audio cable fits into the socket marked AUX.

Wired

To cable pair a Bluetooth speaker with a PC or phone, you will need an AUX type wire. It can be purchased at any computer or music store. The cable has a 3.5 mm mini-jack on both ends. One of them is inserted into the jack on the speaker, the second into the headphone jack on a smartphone or a suitable input of a laptop, PC, or tablet. All that remains is to start music and listen to your favorite songs in maximum quality, without distortion of the Bluetooth channel.

Wireless

For the portable Bluetooth speaker to work correctly, insert a memory card or tune the radio. First, you need to activate Bluetooth on both devices. The column panel has a button to enable this option. To wirelessly pair, you need to hold it for a few seconds.

The accessory does not have an interface for selecting available Bluetooth devices, so basic settings are completed on a laptop, PC or smartphone.

Step-by-step instructions for connecting a speaker via Bluetooth to your phone

When setting up manually, perform the following steps:

1. Turn on the accessory and wait for the notification to appear on the screen of the mobile device.
2. Go through the items in Bluetooth, “Settings”, “Search”.
3. After activating the channel, select columns from the drop-down list.
4. Waiting for correct pairing.

This operation is performed once, but it can also cause some problems.

For a Samsung phone

When connecting speakers to a smartphone of this brand, use the classic version. The scheme is simple: turn on the device, activate Bluetooth on the phone. The accessory appears in the list of possible connections. In the list, press and hold the required name for a few seconds, and select the connection string in the context menu. Pairing occurs automatically. The operation of the device is checked using any audio file.

In the same way, pair the Bluetooth speaker with any mobile devices running Android OS. The recommended version of the operating system is at least 4.0. If necessary, you can connect 2 or 3 devices from different manufacturers to 1 phone on Android OS using Dual Audio technology (available for Bluetooth at least 5.0). With different sound delays, such manipulation is appropriate in an open space; indoors, playback will be asynchronous.

To iPhone

The algorithm for connecting an iPhone to the speakers is as follows:

1. The compact audio system is located in close proximity to the smartphone. This is necessary to create a stable connection between devices.
2. Turn on the speakers and put them into pairing mode by pressing and holding the corresponding button on the panel.
3. On the iPhone, open the settings section (gear icon).
4. At the top of the application select Bluetooth.
5. Move the slider to the on position. Columns available for connection appear in the drop-down list.
6. Click on the device name. The aggregation process takes 1-2 minutes.

How to play music

AirPlay technology was introduced by Apple in 2010. Like its predecessor AirTunes, it, unlike Bluetooth, transmitted streaming information via Wi-Fi.

In addition, the new version of the wireless transmission protocol transmits not only music tracks, but also photos, videos, and related metadata.

There are currently many wireless speakers available that support this technology. They are distinguished from Bluetooth speakers by better quality sound due to the use of lossless compression and the ability to move unhindered around the house from an iPhone or iPad, thanks to the greater range of the Wi-Fi router.

However, it is impossible to take the AirPlay gadget with you on a hike or any other place where there is no Wi-Fi coverage. Therefore, some companies have begun to produce hybrid speaker systems that support both technologies (for example, Cambridge Audio Minx 100).

To play an audio file from an iPhone or iPad on an AirPlay-enabled wireless music device paired with a streaming device, you must:

Transfer Audio from iPhone to Homepod

Thanks to voice control using the Siri personal assistant, the Apple speaker allows the user to:

You can also control your music using the round touch display located on the top panel of the speaker, which flickers white during setup and different colors when communicating with Siri.

To connect HomePod to iPhone you need:

On the iPhone, select a music track and turn it on (so that the sound comes from the speaker, and not from the device, you need to click on the “select device” button on the screen).

Play audio on multiple devices

Using an iPhone or iPad with iOS 11.4 or later, you can play audio files on multiple gadgets that support AirPlay 2 and are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

To start playing audio on multiple devices, you need to:

1. Click the device selection icon (playback location), which can be located:

2. Select a playback speaker. These could be, for example:

How to connect to a laptop on Windows 10

Laptops have a built-in module for wireless communication with other devices. To activate it on Windows 10, you need to open the control panel and select the corresponding icon (bottom right, near the Internet connection indicator).

Inclusion

Once the Bluetooth icon is found, you should click on it to enable the option on the laptop. On some versions of laptop PCs, the function is activated by pressing the Fn key. You can check the correct connection by turning on any musical composition on the speaker.

Driver update

The lack of Bluetooth connection with a laptop is often due to an outdated driver.

Press Windows and S, enter “Device Manager” in the line that appears. Next, select the Bluetooth menu and the driver update function. The system automatically finds the desired product on the Internet and installs it on the PC.

The second option is to use special utilities.

They can be downloaded from the Internet or purchased on an installation disk in a store. The kit includes a full package of updates for the OS.

Settings

To accurately adjust the wireless pairing, go to the Bluetooth settings section on the laptop. Find the control center using the Windows and S key combination, activate Bluetooth technology and select the required device from the list of available connections.

You can also set up a new connection there. The system automatically finds all available devices. To do this, you need to right-click on the column, examining the interaction status, properties and other technical information.

Selecting the right connection

If the laptop's wireless connection system does not find the necessary accessory for pairing into a single network, but other devices are visible and ready to interact, perform several steps:

1. Reboot Bluetooth on the connected gadget.
2. Enter a new column name manually (via a PC or smartphone).
3. Start the Bluetooth search again.

Instead of a name in the list of available devices, a column can be indicated by a serial number. You can find it out from the instructions.

Switching sound to a Bluetooth speaker automatically

You can adjust the speaker volume directly from your laptop. To do this, use the device's keyboard keys. This method will simultaneously mute or increase system sounds.

The second option is to use a mixer. To access it, right-click on the speaker image and select the option to open the volume mixer. The program of the connected speaker is displayed in the window that appears. Use the slider to set the required sound level.

How to connect wirelessly?

JBL is a company widely known for producing wireless speaker systems. Its speakers can be used together with your phone by simply charging the built-in battery and connecting them via Bluetooth. The whole process takes a few minutes and does not require much technical knowledge. Moreover, if your smartphone and speaker have an NFC chip, you can connect them with one touch.

To connect via Bluetooth, you need to follow a number of steps. To begin with, charge your smartphone and speaker, since wireless communication requires a certain battery life. If it is not enough, the signal from the source simply will not be received. After making sure that everything is in order with the battery, you need to perform certain actions.

1. Place the paired devices nearby. Manufacturers do not recommend exceeding a distance of 1 m for the first connection. Subsequently, the Bluetooth signal reception range increases to 3-10 m, and sometimes more.
2. Turn on the speaker, wait for a signal on the display or the corresponding light indication. On miniature versions of wireless speakers, it is these “beacons” that serve as a kind of indicator of the device’s condition.
3. Turn on the wireless communication module on the speaker. To do this, JBL technology provides a push-button control panel on which you need to press and hold the desired key. The appearance of a flashing light indicates that Bluetooth is turned on. The column is available for recognition by other devices. It is worth considering that the time period during which you can connect is only 5 minutes; after this period, you will have to repeat everything again.
4. On your smartphone you need to open the settings section. In it, find a tab with a wireless connection. Activate the Bluetooth module. If it was previously enabled in the column, when you start the search, the new device will appear in the list of available devices for pairing.
5. Select a column from the list of available options. Activate pairing and wait until it is established. This may take up to 5 minutes. As soon as the speaker is displayed in the phone menu as a connected device, you can turn on the music. The sound will come through the speaker of the external device.

You can disconnect and completely break the connection between devices by selecting this item in the phone submenu. In the pairing settings, just delete the detected device. The speaker itself can also be reset to factory settings to completely remove the list of previously established Bluetooth connections from memory. Depending on the model, the procedure may vary, but usually, with the JBL wireless speaker turned on, it is enough to press and hold 2 buttons: Bluetooth and volume up. The device should turn off, and the next time you turn it on, the blue power button light will blink.

Via NFC

A number of JBL speaker models have the ability to connect to mobile devices via NFC. In order for everything to be successful, you need to make sure that this option is available. The NFC function on the speaker does not need to be enabled additionally, but on a smartphone it may need to be activated by simply changing the On/Off positions in the corresponding section. The connection is established instantly, in a split second, the information is transmitted via Bluetooth, the range is about 10 m. You just need to touch the body of the switched-on speaker with your smartphone.

Wired connection method

To connect the JBL speaker to your phone, you can use the audio cable that came with your phone. But this connection option requires that the second plug matches the format of the device connector. Using regular AUX cables with a diameter of 3.5 mm, you can transmit sound to JBL speakers with their own battery or other power sources.

Through a 3.5 mm jack, the sound will be louder and more stable. In general, a wired connection looks attractive due to the fact that battery resources are saved. Bluetooth pairing consumes its charge quite intensively, but here the losses will be minimal.

You cannot connect a speaker to an iPhone via the AUX headphone input. There is simply no such connector in the design of the device. Apple has long been betting on wireless data exchange.

Nuances when connecting to a laptop on Windows 7

Windows 7 and Windows 10 have a similar interface, so connecting a Bluetooth speaker is carried out in the same way, with the exception of small nuances.

The process begins by activating the wireless connection and searching for the desired acoustic device. If the model is not in the list, the column is reloaded. If the connection via Bluetooth is blocked due to the low power of the laptop, free up RAM and clear the task manager of unnecessary services and programs.

Pairing a third-party Bluetooth accessory with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Pair your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with Bluetooth accessories to stream music, videos, phone calls and more.

Depending on the program you are using, you may be warned that you must turn on Bluetooth before pairing with a Bluetooth accessory. Go to Settings > Privacy and tap Bluetooth. Then turn on Bluetooth for the programs you want to use.

Methods for connecting to a computer

Desktop computers do not have built-in speakers. To play sound you will need an acoustic kit or headphones. It is possible to use Bluetooth speakers, which have smaller dimensions and are not inferior in sound quality to their stationary counterparts.

The process of pairing a PC and portable speakers is identical to interaction with a laptop. The devices are equipped with the same OS, with a similar settings algorithm. First, you need to make sure that your PC has a Bluetooth module by checking the device manager.

If the technology is missing, buy an inexpensive adapter that solves the connection problem after updating the drivers.

Why doesn't the iPhone find the Bluetooth speaker and devices?

reading time: 2 minutes

Bluetooth is a technology for connecting devices that began to develop in 1994. Interface standards have changed; modern gadgets support communication at a distance of up to 400 meters. This wireless connection method shows good results, but there are times when the iPhone does not see the Bluetooth device.

Bluetooth on Apple smartphones allows you to connect selfie sticks, wireless headphones and portable speakers, TVs, smart watches, Mac computers and other equipment. A pair of devices works over a long distance without wires. Why doesn't my iPhone find my Bluetooth speaker and other wireless devices? Let's start with instructions for linking your phone with gadgets.

What problems may arise

Problems often arise when connecting a Bluetooth speaker. To determine the causes and source of the failure, you need to check the basic functions of the gadgets, identifying the incorrectly working link.

Checking the acoustics

If the portable speaker does not play music, there is a problem with the wireless connection or the acoustic device. You can check the device by connecting to another PC. If sound appears, the problem is in the computer.

Bluetooth module disabled

Paired devices will not work correctly if one of them does not have Bluetooth enabled. The activity of the module on the PC is checked through the dispatcher. The computer may not see Bluetooth, and therefore the model is not in the list of available equipment.

The module is enabled, but nothing has changed

If, after turning on Bluetooth, a connection cannot be established, check both gadgets for functionality by connecting them to other devices. You can try pairing the acoustics with a smartphone, and then study the interaction of the mobile device with a PC.

No sound

If there is no sound, and there is a connection between the acoustics and the PC, check the speaker on other devices. You should pay attention to the battery charge, the presence of electromagnetic interference, and the stability of the pairing.

Password

If your portable speaker has a non-standard code, you need to find out the current password from the manufacturer. You can change the code yourself by installing a special application on your laptop or PC for adjusting wireless acoustics.

Why doesn't the laptop see the Bluetooth speaker?

To update the driver, fine-tune settings, and set a password, most portable speakers have a special application that is responsible for connecting to the device. Through the program they will find out the reason why the PC does not see the device. If there is no information, reboot both gadgets and then configure Bluetooth on the laptop.

Application

Portable acoustics can be used anywhere:

• Outdoors;
• at the party;
• in an apartment or country house;
• at a banquet;
• on the train (if fellow travelers don’t mind);
• in the car.

Advanced models show themselves perfectly from different angles. Thus, the speakers of the time-tested American JBL Boombox have 2 modes - home and nature. They sound great both indoors and outdoors. True, such devices are quite expensive. And they weigh a lot - more than 5 kg, so you can’t carry them around in a backpack on your back. So they are only suitable for a picnic or a trip with friends to a barbecue in the forest to be transported by car.

On a note. Before choosing a portable speaker, analyze why you are purchasing the device. From here it will become clear how much it should weigh.

Problem solving options

Problems can be resolved as follows:

1. If there is no sound after pairing the speaker and PC, try connecting another gadget to the laptop via Bluetooth. If the problem recurs, connect the acoustics via wires. You may also need to replace the board or speakers.
2. If the computer does not see Bluetooth and there are no speakers in the list of available devices, click on the configuration update window. After this, the module should be detected automatically. If the problem persists, you need to purchase and install a new wireless adapter.
3. If playback does not start when the Bluetooth module is turned on, the problem is an unstable connection. To solve the problem, update the driver firmware or replace the module with a new analogue.

Three main pairing problems

Theoretically, we figured out how to connect a Bluetooth speaker to a phone. However, in practice everything is not so smooth. There is only one problem - the device does not see the equipment, but there are several recommendations for eliminating it:

• Bluetooth is simply not turned on. Check it out. If so, then move the slider to the “ON” position;
• the column is discharged. It is also very easy to check: change the batteries or connect to the network;
• the equipment has already been connected to another device. The first connection is made automatically, and after that the basic data is saved in the column settings. If your equipment has already been in use, then you should pay attention to this. Reset your device and try connecting again.

We hope that the article was useful and you fixed the problem when Bluetooth does not see the speaker. Now you can fully use the new equipment and experience all the delights of sound technology.