You will probably never have difficulty pairing your Bluetooth devices, however, even though all Bluetooth devices are supposed to be compliant, there may occasionally be issues that could affect the pairing process.
Bluetooth Smart & Bluetooth Smart Ready
While all new Bluetooth releases are compatible with previous versions, a low energy version of Bluetooth, called Bluetooth Smart is not compatible with older protocols. Fitness trackers and heart-rate monitors use Bluetooth Smart, and will only pair with a smartphones and tablets that also uses Bluetooth Smart, or are Bluetooth Smart Ready. Bluetooth Smart devices are not backward compatible and won’t recognize (or pair with) older devices that support Classic Bluetooth.
Ensure your phone is running the latest version of its operating system – but if your device isn’t new enough to run relatively current software, you may not be able to pair it with that fitness band. iPhones running iOS 7 and newer should be Bluetooth Smart Ready as should Android phones running 4.3 or newer, Windows Phone 8.1 devices, and all BlackBerry 10 devices.
Bluetooth Compatibility List
Each iteration of the Bluetooth standards makes pairing easier, and non-compliance less of an issue. Almost every product manufacturer lists device compatibility on their website, just perform a Google search. We’ll get you started with this Bluetooth compatibility list, but it is by no means complete.
Vehicles
Nearly all modern vehicles are equipped with Bluetooth technology. Select the manufacturer name below for more information on their vehicles’ Bluetooth compatibility.
- Acura Bluetooth HandsFreeLinlk
- Audi Bluetooth System
- Bentley Bluetooth Connectivity
- BMW Bluetooth Connected Drive
- Ford SYNC Bluetooth Compatibility
- GM Bluetooth Total Connect
- Honda Bluetooth HandsFreeLink
- Infiniti Bluetooth
- Hyundai Bluetooth
- Jaguar Incontrol Bluetooth
- Kia Bluetooth System
- Land Rover Bluetooth Connectivity
- Lexus Bluetooth Mobile Link
- Mazda Bluetooth Connect
- Mercedes-Benz Bluetooth Hands-Free COMAND
- Mini Connected Bluetooth
- Mitsubishi Fuse Bluetooth Hands Free Link
- Nissan Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System
- Porsche Bluetooth Car Connect and Connect Plus
- Scion Bluetooth System
- Subaru Bluetooth System
- Toyota Entune Bluetooth System
- Volkswagen Bluetooth System
- Volvo Bluetooth System
Telephone Companies (USA)
Manufacturers