Bluetooth isn’t just for headsets, wireless keyboards and mice. You can transfer data over Bluetooth as well. It’s a little slow but it’s an easy way to put your own custom ringtones, wallpapers and other files onto your phone.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through pairing your device, navigating the directories and transferring files to (and from) your phone.
Pairing OS X with your Mobile Phone:
Your first step in using Bluetooth is pairing the device with your Mac. Pairing is a simple handshake your computer and phone will do to make sure it;s a legitimate connection. You will have to allow the pairing on the phone so that everyone can’t just visit your phone willy-nilly.
1. Turn on you phone’s Bluetooth and make it discoverable.
2. Go to System Preferences and choose Bluetooth.
3. Turn on your Mac’s Bluetooth.
4. Click on the Plus Sign and the Bluetooth Setup Assistant opens.
5. Select Mobile Phone from the menu.
6. The Assistant will search for and find your phone.
Note: The phone must be in Discoverable mode for this to work. Otherwise you will not find the phone.
7. When OS X finds your phone, select it and press Continue.
8. Press Continue again if prompted.
9. On your phone, it will be asking you if you want to pair with your Mac.
10. Accept the pairing on your phone.
11. The phone will ask for the Passkey. Enter it in.
12. Your phone will pair and then ask if you want to connect. Select Yes or Accept.
13. Check the appropriate checkboxes if you want to sync contacts and tether your phone.
Note: Tethering without a data plan is an expensive no-no.
14. You are now paired and ready to go!
Connecting to your Phone:
Now that your devices are paired with your Mac, let’s transfer some files. To do this, you’ll have to connect to your phone. Make sure Bluetooth is on.
1. Go to System Preferences and choose Bluetooth.
2. Select your phone from the available devices.
3. Click on the Gear Wheel at the bottom and choose “Browse Device”
4. On your phone, Accept the “Exchange Data” invitation.
5. You will now see your phone’s storage folders.
6. Navigate to where you want to go.
7. Choose “Send” to upload data to your phone. “Get” to download from your phone.
8. You can also create new folders, move and delete files.
9. If you’ve sent something or deleted it and it doesn’t show up, click the Reload button at the top.
10. When finished, click the little red button in the upper left corner to close the connection.
11. For security reasons, turn off Bluetooth when you are finished.