How Does Bluetooth Work?

Bluetooth enables devices (such as smartphones) to transmit radio waves. This capability is built within devices, so there’s no need for any other data transmission source (such as a mobile or Wi-Fi network) to be used. You can use Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and speakers.

Does Bluetooth Use Data or Wi-Fi?

Anyone concerned that they might be racing through their monthly data allowance can rest assured that Bluetooth doesn’t use anything extra beyond what you’re using to connect to the internet and stream media. This last point is worth stressing. Bluetooth itself doesn’t use extra mobile data, but if you use a mobile or Wi-Fi network to connect to the internet and stream, say, a TV program, you’ll use up your data allowance (if you have one). Using Bluetooth to transmit what you’re streaming to another device doesn’t consume additional data, but it’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t prevent that initial data consumption.

Do I Need to Connect to the Internet to Use Bluetooth?

Another way of putting things here is to state that Bluetooth doesn’t use an internet connection to transmit data. Each Bluetooth device talks to one another regardless of an internet connection being present. When you use a Bluetooth keyboard, the keystrokes aren’t transmitted to the internet and then back to your computer. The transmission goes from the keyboard to the computer directly.