It seems like the early 2000s were the last time wires were used. Although this is true, most smart TVs do have Bluetooth built-in is now something of a common occurrence. Quite a few people wonder, do TV’s Bluetooth feature actually work? You just need to make sure your TV has Bluetooth capability if you want to connect your devices.
There is a trend today where we want everything to be connected, but we don’t want to be tied down by wires.
Even with our TVs, we just expect a certain level of freedom from them.
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Would you like to know: Do smart TVs have Bluetooth?
Many smart TVs today have Bluetooth built right into them, and as a matter of fact, many TVs do have this feature. There are a number of manufacturers of smart TVs that do support Bluetooth connectivity include Sony, LG, Samsung, Toshiba, and Hisense. By using a Bluetooth transmitter or downloading the TV manufacturer’s smart phone app, you can make smart TVs without Bluetooth “Bluetooth enabled”.
There is no doubt that you have heard of Bluetooth before, unless you live under a rock. Wireless (radio-wave) technology is used to exchange short-range data, and you probably already know that.
It’s because Bluetooth is incorporated into many of the tech products of today, including smart TVs.
Although many smart TVs come with Bluetooth built in, many still do not (Specifically, I’m referring to Roku and Vizio).
It’s partly because Bluetooth isn’t a required feature on smart TVs, but it’s mostly due to cost.
Bluetooth chips are costly to integrate into every smart TV set, so some companies don’t bother.
Do any TVs on the market have Bluetooth capabilities?
Bluetooth functionality is available on the following smart TV models.
- Hisense – Laser TV, U6, U7, U8 & U9 series.
- LG – BX, CX, GX, WX, & ZX series.
- LG – UN7300, UN7370, & UN8500 series.
- Hisense – H55, H65, H8, H8G, H8G1, and H9 series.
- Samsung – 6, 7, 8, & 9 series.
- Samsung – Q80T, Q60T, Q70T, Q90T, Q800T, & Q900TS series.
- Toshiba – Fire TV Edition.
- LG – Nanoclass 81, 85, 90, & 99 series.
- Samsung TV models – Frame, Serif, Sero and Terrace series.
- Hisense – A6, A60 and A6G series.
- Sony – There are a number of Android and Google-based models released after 2016.
(Hint: Use BestBuy’s website and filter by “Bluetooth” under features to find all Bluetooth enabled smart TVs).
Manufacturers who bother to include Bluetooth usually only do so on their flagship smart TVs (hence the higher price tag).
I’ve found Samsung, Sony, Hisense, and LG to be the most likely smart TV brands to have Bluetooth built-in.
Ultimately, the best thing to do is check the TV’s user manual for Bluetooth information.
If you don’t have the manual, simply Google the model and make of your TV followed by the word “manual”. If you search the page for “Bluetooth” and see what comes up, most manuals can be found online this way.
Check the TV’s settings for “Audio”, and see if “Bluetooth” is listed as an “Output option” there if you cannot find the TV manual.
Here are just a few of the things you can do with a Bluetooth TV.
It is understandable that you might be wondering if this investigation/effort is even worth your time, and for me it definitely was.
It’s just that Bluetooth offers a lot of great features that you can’t get from any other technology.
Here are some examples of what you can do with a Bluetooth enabled smart TV.
- The TV can be connected to wireless headsets or speakers
- You can use your smart phone as a remote control
- You can type on the TV using a wireless keyboard
- You can stream music to your TV from your iPod or smart phone
- Display the screen and apps of your smart phone on your TV
The ability to watch TV with Bluetooth headsets late at night without waking up my wife makes the effort to make my TV “Bluetooth enabled”, worthwhile.
When your smart TV doesn’t come with Bluetooth out of the box, what can you do to get some of these features?
What are the steps involved in making a TV Bluetooth capable?
There are several techniques to make smart TVs “Bluetooth enabled” if they don’t come with it out of the box.
1) Open the TV’s secret service menu and enable Bluetooth.
2) Install the smart phone app provided by the TV manufacturer.
3) You will need a Bluetooth transmitter for your TV in order to connect it to the transmitter.
There is a secret service menu on the TVs.
Using your TV’s “secret service menu”, it is possible to turn your TV into a Bluetooth device by using its “secret service menu”.
There is a secret service menu on every digital TV out there. Through this menu, users can access advanced menus/options and change/enable/disable lots of TV features.
It may be possible to enable Bluetooth from the menu by using certain combinations of codes on your remote.
In some cases, making a mistake in this menu can brick your TV (a term used when you mess up something so badly, it becomes useless like a brick).
As a side note, accessing the secret service menu will void the warranty on your TV.
That’s not great, and if I haven’t scared you off yet, keep reading if I haven’t scared you off yet.
You can find many of the secret service codes for Sony, Samsung, LG and Philips TVs on our website as well.
Often times these codes can take a few tries before working, so don’t give up too easily if the menu doesn’t show up right away.
Take your time and make sure not to change any other settings while you’re in there!
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Smart phone app
One far less intimidating option is to download the TV manufacturer’s app to your smart phone, and then use your phone’s Bluetooth to connect to your TV.
Take Roku, for instance as They provide a free smart phone app that allows you to use your phone’s Bluetooth capabilities.
This means you can sync your phone’s Bluetooth to your headphones, or even a speaker, via the Roku app, and listen to your TV that way.
Not perfect, but not a bad option either.
It is becoming increasingly common for TVs to be equipped with Bluetooth transmitters.
If you can’t enable Bluetooth through the secret service menu and the TV doesn’t have a dedicated smart app, don’t panic, you still have one good option left.
You can buy a Bluetooth transmitter.
Transmitters convert non-Bluetooth devices (namely, smart TVs) into Bluetooth devices by plugging them into a Bluetooth port.
As a result of today’s technology, these devices have very low latency (meaning that the sound will come in near-real time).
The best part is that you can get a very good one for a reasonable price (under 40 dollars).
The 1Mii Bluetooth 5.2 Transmitter Receiver is highly recommended if you’re considering this route.
The Avantree Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter is the perfect choice if your TV lacks a headphone jack. The same great reviews apply, but the setup options are multiple (Optical, Aux, RCA, USB).
For added safety, bring your Bluetooth transmitter when you fly. You can watch TV on the plane with your Bluetooth headphones plugged into the headphone jack!
Conclusion: Do Smart TVs Have Bluetooth?
There are some smart TVs that have Bluetooth built-in, but not all of them. TVs from Samsung, Sony, and LG are more likely to have it than those from other manufacturers.
There are several ways to make smart TVs “Bluetooth-enabled” if they don’t have it out of the box.
- Through the TV’s secret service menu, enable Bluetooth
- Apps for smart phones are available from TV manufacturers
- Your TV can be equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter
Is there anything you like to do with Bluetooth capabilities on your TV? Let me know what you think in the comments!
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