Beginner’s Guide To Bluetooth File Transfer

Here is the all updated and now (hopefully) an even easier guide for those who may not know exactly how to use Bluetooth File Transfer.

Please Note: Ensure the device is Bluetooth compatible and set to discoverable (refer to phone user manual of your friends device or contact their device provider with your friends device make and model for more info).

Links

Developers Website: http://www.medieval.it/blueftp-android/menu-id-68.html

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.medieval.blueftp

Direct Download: http://www.medieval.it/sw/BlueFTP.apk

Guide Updates

November 25 2015 (It’s Alive)

• Removed un-needed sections
• Added some new sections such as official app updates, new settings that have been added and other small details.
• Updated Links
• Simplified Guide
• All NEW Screenshots to match current times.
• Included new questions in F.A.Qs section (including questions pulled directly from user questions on Google Play).

November 3rd 2010

• Fixed Spelling & Grammar.
• Removed Dead-links.

October 24th 2010

• Fixed Italic Code causing entire article to be in Italic.
• Changed Links from AA AppStore to AppBrain.
• More massive code clean up.
• Spelling & Grammar Fixes.

July 28th 2010

• Added links to support forums & direct download (See Above).
• Added 2 Extra QRCodes for the support forums & direct download (See Above).
• Major Addition: Added F.A.Q’s Section – F.A.Q’s.
• Changed contact email to admin@medieval.it

April 30th 2010

• Added information about the Widget
• Added quick links in post (Thanks Artem & Gary) to use just click the name of the section you wish to go to out of the contents below these updates
• Added QR Codes
• Added Updates Section
• Updated link from AndroLib to our very own AppStore
• Small fixes, code clean ups & grammar fixes (Thanks to supporters pointing out the issues)
• Changed contact email to help@medieval.it

March 16th 2010

• HUGE update to make it easier to understand
• Added Contents
• Sorted by sections
• Explained search feature
• Added Links
• Much more that I can’t quite remember

January 27th 2010

• Guide created

Contents

1. Start Up – An Introduction to Bluetooth File Transfer.
2. Settings – Explanations of all the settings.
3. Search – Information on how to use the search function.
4. Widget – Information about the widget
5. Sending – Information on how to send files between devices.
6. F.A.Q’s – Frequently Asked Questions.
7. App Updates – Official Changes To Bluetooth File Transfer.
8. Guide Complete – End of the guide.

1. Start Up

Allow me to start with taking you through the start-up procedure of Bluetooth File Transfer

The change log may show, once you have read that click the button below the writing (as medieval update it now and then it may not look exactly like the screenshot below).

Once you have read the change log that’s pretty much it for the start up side of things

You have now completed the Start-Up process.

2. Settings

Now I suggest doing the settings for Bluetooth File Transfer don’t worry I will explain to you what the settings mean.

To access settings press menu and click more and select settings you will then see something like the following screenshot

 

File System is the settings for general setup

Here is what the settings above mean.

• Show Hidden Items: Ticking this will show files and folders that have a dot (.) which is basically a blank file inside a folder to stop applications generally picking up said files.
• Remember Last Folder: Ticking this will make make Bluetooth File Transfer remember the last folder you used upon closing it when you open the app again in the future. Leaving it unchecked means every time you launch the app it will open to the default Home Folder.
• Home Folder: This is where you can set the default folder you want to launch at startup. Remember Last Folder pretty much over-rides this setting if you have it enabled.

Power Saving is the settings for power saving features.

Here is what the ones above mean.

• CPU On (Recommended): Ticking this keeps the CPU (Central Processing Unit) active during long operations. I recommend having this enabled as disabling it could interrupt files being sent.
• Bluetooth Servers: Ticking this keeps the CPU alive only when Bluetooth is active. If you choose to enable this you will need to restart your device before its active.
• Wake Up Screen: Ticking this makes the screen display come on when there are important notifications such as a file received or when a file is successfully sent.

Thumbnail Engine is the settings for the thumbnails that are displayed such as pictures. Its basically like a small preview window that appears when you view media.

Here is what the settings above mean.

• Use System Thumbnails: Ticking this forces Bluetooth File Transfer to use thumbnails stored in your phone already. Its faster but you risk quality. Unticking this will mean Bluetooth File Transfer creates new thumbnails for you.
• Cache Size (MiB): Unless you are an advanced user and understand what a Mebibyte is (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mebibyte) I recommend leaving this set to 0 as in unlimited.
• Clear Cache: Use this to clear all locally cached content and databases to free up space. Keep in mind doing this will mean the thumbnails will need to be created again.

 

Sharing Service (FTP) is the settings for sharing files

Here is what the settings above mean.

• Enabled: Ticking this will enable Bluetooth on your device (should it not already be enabled) and it means it’s all set and ready to share files.
• Security Prompt: Ticking this will add an extra layer of security when sharing files. It will prompt you to have to approve each file that’s shared.
• Start at boot: Ticking this means if you turn off your device when you switch it on again the sharing function of Bluetooth File Transfer will start automatically.
• Stop when close: Ticking this means when you close Bluetooth File Transfer it will shut off sharing of files.
• Show notifications: Ticking this will display messages inside your notification bar to let you know when a file is shared.
• Show messages: Ticking this will display “flying” messages (Popups on your screen) to let you know when a file is shared.
• Alert on receive: Ticking this will mean it will display an alert on the screen to let you know when a file is received.
• Alert on send: Ticking this will mean it will display an alert on the screen to let you know when a file is shared.
• Shared folder: This is where you define where you want the files you wish to share to come from.
• Concurrent connections: This is where you choose how many devices you can share stuff to at the same time (max 7).

Receiving Service (OPP) is the settings for receiving files

Here is what the settings above mean.

• Enabled: Ticking this will enable Bluetooth on your device (should it not already be enabled) and it means it’s all set and ready to receive files.
• Security Prompt: Ticking this will add an extra layer of security when receiving files. It will prompt you to have to accept each file that’s received.
• Start At Boot: Ticking this means if you turn off your device when you switch it on again.
• Stop When Close: Ticking this means when you close Bluetooth File Transfer it will shut off receiving of files.
• Show Notifications: Ticking this will display messages inside your notification bar to let you know when a file is received.
• Show Messages: Ticking this will display “flying” messages (Popups on your screen) to let you know when a file is received.
• Alert On Receive: This will display directly on the screen to let you know when a file is received.
• Destination Folder: This is where you define where you want the received files to be saved to.
• Concurrent Connections: This is where you choose how many devices can send you stuff at the same time (max 7).

Phone Book Client (PBAP) is the settings for sharing and receiving contact files. I strongly recommend using the default settings unless you understand what these settings truly mean.

Here is what the settings above mean.

• vCard Version: Depending on software on your phone and other factors you can select to receive vCard 2.1 or vCard 3.0 .
• vCard File Name: Select how you want it to handle the file names for contacts received.

User Interface (UI) is the settings for how Bluetooth File Transfer looks and feels.

Here is what the settings above mean.

• Use Small Bookmarks: Ticking this makes bookmarks shorter in order to show more items at once.
• Use Small Menu: Ticking this makes entries of the main menu shorter in order to show more items at once.
• Use Small Context Menu: Ticking this makes entries of the context menu shorter in order to show more items at once.
• Rearrange Main Menu: Ticking this automatically arranges the main menu to show most used commands.
• Rearrange Context Menu: Ticking this automatically arranges the context menu to show most used commands.
• Don’t Confirm Exit: Ticking this will removed the confirmation message when you go to exit Bluetooth File Transfer.
• Successful Message: Ticking this will show a toast (pop up) message when an operation is completed.
• Make Shorter Tabs: Ticking this will allow you to reduce the height of the program tabs.
• Tabs Height (Percentage): If you have Make Shorter Tabs enabled you can use this to reduce the height.

Choose Language is the settings for how Bluetooth File Transfer displays.

Selecting (auto) uses the language you set on your phone. Keep in mind changing the language inside Bluetooth File Transfer will only effect Bluetooth File Transfer, its not system wide.

You have now completed the Set-Up process.

3. Search

The search function which will allow you to search your device for files or a device your connected to inside Bluetooth File Transfer.

To access press menu then press find files and a pop up like below will appear

Text Box: Use this to type in the name of the file you are after (it is case-insensitive, so WINTER or winter or WINter is exactly the same).

Search TIPs

Searching Troys Space will find all files containing the words Troys OR Space (so a file such as “Troys–Space-2015.jpg” will match, along with “Troy_Movie_Trailer.3gp”, “Taylor Swift – Blank Space.mp3″ and “Troy with his Dog.avi” and so on).

To narrow it down further you can put a + Between Troys Space and it will only return files with the words Troys AND Space both in one file name (so a file such as “Troys Awesome MySpace Page.mpg” matches, along with “Troy Singing Blank Space.mp4″ and “Troy Is Awesome sang by Troy.mp3″, “Space Guide.avi” or “Troys-Game.apk” won’t show in the results).

Also putting a – between Troys Space will only return files with the file name Troys AND NOT Space (so a file such as “Troys Awesome Party.avi” matches, along with “Troys awesome site walkthrough.avi”, “Troys awesome Bluetooth File Transfer guide.mp4″ and “Troys Message To Readers.3gp”, but “Troys Space Guide.avi” or “The Nexus One in Space.jpg” won’t return in the results).

You can also combine these to shorten down results even more;

– “summer + travel – 2008 – 2007” will search all files which name has the word ‘summer‘ **AND** the word ‘travel‘ **BUT DOESN’T CONTAIN** the words (or in this case digits) ‘2008‘ and ‘2007‘.

– “fall summer winter + travel” means search all files which name has the word ‘fall‘ **OR** the word ‘summer‘ **OR** the word ‘winter‘ **AND** the word ‘travel‘.

– also the short form like “-picture” is allowed and will search all files which name **DOESN’T CONTAIN** the word ‘picture‘.

• File Type: Use this if your after a certain file type (such as ticking just audio and clicking OK will find all audio files of the text input in the text box)

• Size Greater Than: Use the slider bar to choose how large the certain file you’re looking for is (such as say you’re looking for a song that’s over 1000KBs so you will slide the bar to 1000KBs and press OK)

 

• Size Lower Than: Use the slider bar to choose how small the certain file you’re looking for is (such as say you’re looking for a song that’s under 1000KBs so you will slide the bar to 1000KBs and press OK)

 

• Date Newer Than: Use the date boxes to choose a date of to find certain item (for example you’re looking for a picture you know you got after the 1st of Jan 2010 so you put that in the boxes and it will search for all files from that date forward)

 

• Date Older Than: Use the date boxes to choose a date to find a certain item (for example you’re looking for a picture you know you got before the 1st of Jan 2010 so you put that in the boxes and it will search for all files from that date forward)

4. Widget

I will now go though quickly & explain the functions of the widget found in versions 2.70 & above

So first here is what the Widget looks like

It has four symbols which I will now explain to you one at a time, the first symbol is to active Bluetooth on your device. All you do is tap the Bluetooth Icon & it will turn orange (which means it is processing your request) & then blue once it is enabled (see screenshot below)

This is what you want to see on the Widget before sending & receiving items if one of the lights below the icon is not blue click it & enable it, this should result in a clean file transfer & file push (receive).

The second icon after the Bluetooth enable icon is to make your device visible & the next one seen in the screenshot below is to enable FTP (File Transfer)

This allows you to transfer files between devices so if you want to send make sure the light below the open folder icon is blue.

The last icon is the OPP (Object Push) which allows others with Bluetooth capable devices to connect with you & send you items.

If you want to receive an item from another device the lighting blot must have a blue light underneath it in order for the other device to find, connect & send you the item.

5. Sending

I’m now going to explain how to send files by Bluetooth, this method works for any files you wish to send but before proceeding please make sure the device you’re sending to meets the following expectations

• The device you’re sending too can handle the item you’re sending meaning don’t send a theme made for a Sony Ericsson to a Nokia
• The device you’re sending the item to has enough free memory meaning if you’re sending a 21.7kb picture the device you’re sending it too needs to have at least 21.7kb in memory.

Now once your gone through the checks above find the folder with the file/s you wish to send and click the box/es of the file/s you wish to send so it will look like this

Once you have selected the files press menu on your device, select more, then select Send via Bluetooth (it will display how many items you wish to send for example 6 items)

Now you should get a device selection screen which looks a little like this

It will automatically search for new devices in your area (normally only effective as far as an average sized bedroom so make sure the user is close when trying to connect).

If you can’t find your friends device make sure they have a Bluetooth capable device and that their Bluetooth is enabled on their device.

Please Note: Some devices need to be set to discoverable in order to be found so if that is the case please set the device you’re sending too, to discoverable also before sending an item (refer to phone user manual of your friends device or contact their device provider with your friends device make & model for more info).

If you want to try finding the device your after upon going through the steps above then you can press menu and click search to re-search should the automated search not return any results, so once you click menu you should get something that looks like the following

Remember to click search devices and it will re-search for devices in your area.

Once you have located the device your after on your Android device long click it. You will get some options in a Pop-up box like this

This is what each option means

• Connect: Clicking this will connect you to the device you want to send the item to (if this is the first time sending to the device in question please use create pairing below).
• Rename: Click this to rename the device so you can easily identify it.
• Add Bookmark: Clicking this will add the device you’re sending to, to your bookmarks (recommended if you plan on sending more items to the same device later).
• Create Pairing: This is the first step to take if the device you’re sending to is one you haven’t previously sent to.

Now before sending (or if you selected add bookmark from above) if you think you will send the friend your currently sending items to some more items at a later date I recommend adding the user as a bookmark by long clicking on your friend’s phone on your device.

It should come up like this

Select add bookmark and this will save the device for future sharing.

You may now connect to the device by long clicking your friends device on your screen until the following appears

Select Connect and this should now show something like the following screenshot

Wait till this completes and it should automatically start sending the files you marked above and the screen will look something like this

Wait for that to compete and if sending multiple files the screen above will display each file one at a time not all at once so wait for a message saying sending complete or something along those lines.

Congratulations you have now passed steps to sending files via Bluetooth File Transfer.

6. F.A.Q’s

Q. Why Does Bluetooth File Transfer require the contact read permissions?

A. In order to send your contacts over Bluetooth, if you wish, for example to your car-kit or to another smartphone. Open main menu, select Send contacts item, put a check beside the contacts you would like to send and finally press Send button.

Q. Bluetooth File Transfer has ads, how do I go about removing those?

A. In order to generate some income in order to manage and maintain the app Medieval Software needs to include ads however you can purchase Medieval Licensing System app from Google Play here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.medieval.license to remove advertising.

Q. Why do you need more access to location information?

A. Firstly let me just tell you I am answering this personally as maintainer of this guide, therefore I am under no real pressure to sugar coat the answer, so when I say that I can ensure you that Medieval Software doesn’t actively track your location I am being sincere. Most apps that have advertising need location permissions to target ads to your area. Sadly this permission is required to run ads and ads are required to cover development costs but again you can remove ads (see previous question above).

Q. Why doesn’t it work on my Android phone? (Hero / Galaxy / Spica / GW620)

A. Unfortunately, some Android smart-phones still can’t use Bluetooth functionality to transfer files. It happens mainly with Android 1.5 (Cupcake) and Android 1.6 (Donut). Please refer to medieval’s compatibility table and check if your mobile phone is currently supported or not by their application.

NOTE – starting from Android 2.0 (or above), the Bluetooth layer will work correctly, even with the unsupported phones!!!

Q. Why can’t I receive files with Android 1.5 (Cupcake) or 1.6 (Donut)?

A. If your phone is Rooted, in other words you have gained root permissions with a hack and subsequently you have installed a customized firmware like CyanogenMod or ChromeDroid, then you can receive files from any device (by accepting a “SU”, aka SuperUser, dialog request).

Otherwise, without root permissions, you can receive files only from another “Bluetooth File Transfer (for Android)” software; so in this case only Android-to-Android transfers are supported. However, even without root, if you are able to connect to your target device (laptop, mobile phone, printer, car kit, and so on…) using our software, then you can download the files you want.

DOWNLOAD = receive files, UPLOAD = send files

Q. There’s a way to block the “300 seconds” discoverable request?

A. When the “300 seconds” discoverable dialog appear, just press [NO] button and it will not prompt you again, the next time.

Q. Why the Bluetooth communication sometimes becomes slow?

A. Almost all mobile phones enter into power saving state, or into stand-by state if you prefer this term, after a period of inactivity. When this happens, some mobile phones also put its Bluetooth chip in low-consumption state, making active transfers extremely slow and troublesome. Therefore, when you experience this problem, just recover both mobile phones (sender and receiver) from the power saving/stand-by state.

Q. Can I send music, videos and photos with this program?

A. Sure! First of all you have to find the files you would like to send via Bluetooth, by using our powerful search engine: open main menu and click over the “Find files” button. Insert all the search parameters you want and then press “Find” button. When the research is completed, put a check beside the files you want to send, then open main menu, press “More” button and finally click over the “Send via Bluetooth (## items)” button. Now just select the target device and the transfer starts … that’s all!

Q. Why can’t I connect to my BlackBerry device?

A. Unfortunately, BlackBerry devices don’t support Bluetooth receiving service natively, so you can’t receive files via Bluetooth unless you install a third-party application.

NOTE – Currently, we don’t have such application for BlackBerry!

Q. Does anyone know why when I turn on my Bluetooth, the app closes automatically…But if I turn off, I can get access to everything in the app like search file or go settings?

If the program crashes, then follow these steps:

1. Turn OFF Bluetooth on your phone then start the program
2. When BlueFTP requests to turn on Bluetooth, just press CANCEL button, to maintain the Bluetooth in OFF state
3. Open menu, press “Settings…” and then uncheck all the check boxes labeled as “Enabled”, to disable the file receiving services that cause crash, then press BACK key
4. Now turn ON Bluetooth on your phone, either by using Android settings or by clicking over “Turn on Bluetooth” button in “Remote files” page (right-side) of BlueFTP – wait a bit
5. You can now use the program.

Q. I’m having issues and the guide doesn’t help what can I do?

A. You can contact the support team by emailing admin@medieval.it, leaving comments on the market with 1 star ratings saying something is broken may not get seen as the market comments are not checked on a daily basis so please use the email if you have issues & if possible have a logcat available to attach to the email to help Medieval fix the issues faster & easier.

Q. I have a general question on how to use this application that you haven’t answered?

A. I may have missed a question but please feel free to leave comments below with your questions & I will try my best to help but remember don’t tell me about the bugs as I don’t have the power to fix them & only contact via email will help you with bugs such as trouble connecting to a PC & application force-closes on a certain feature such as accessing options but I am open to all questions about this guide & the application in general.

7. App Updates

Version 5.57 (Current)

• Added coarse location permission to enable Bluetooth device search on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).
• Added a MENU button on top-right.

Version 5.56

• Fix for Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).

Version 5.55

• Fix for Android 5.0 (Lollipop).

Version 5.50

• Added the Phone Book Access Profile (OBEX PBAP) client in order to download contacts via Bluetooth.

Version 5.45

• Removed the old live folder provider for home-screen
• Fixed thumbnail engine for huge directories
• Minor bug fixes

8. Guide Completed

This concludes the beginner’s guide to Bluetooth File Transfer.

Please give the developers a break and read this fully before e-mailing them with issues as it may not be Bluetooth File Transfer’s fault.

Should you have an issue that hasn’t been covered in this guide please email admin@medieval.it

Furthermore if this guide helps you please leave me a nice comment below I love reading all the great comments and it shows my time hasn’t been wasted.