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Bluetooth File Transfer with iPhone (or Android)

Anonymous
2013-11-03T14:22:34+00:00

I am testing all of the hardware on my SP2.  Has anyone successfully performed a file transfer (picture or .doc) between the SP2 and their iPhone?  (or Android) 

I have an iPhone.  Paring the devices was no problem.  They both see each other and stay connected, but file transfers fail when initiated from the SP2.

I have not found a way to initiate a BT transfer from the phone yet (which is running iOS 7.0.3) via AirDrop or other.  Going to hit the Apple forums next.

I'm satisfied that the BT hardware on my SP2 is working and this was the primary reason for performing this test, but I'd appreciate hearing from others who have also tried and what the outcome was?

Thanks

Surface | Surface Pro | USB-C

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  1. btbt 11,826 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-11-05T06:32:47+00:00

    iPhones (and iPod touches and iPads) do not support Bluetooth file transfer. Apple wants you to use iCloud or iTunes file syncing from within an app.

    Android and Windows Phone support Bluetooth file transfer and have no issues.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-05T04:52:13+00:00

    Greetings ShadowSports,

    Please try the following:

    To Receive a file:

    1. Pair your Surface and the other device.
    2. Open the Desktop app on the Surface.
    3. Right click on the Bluetooth icon in the Notification area
    4. Click on Receive a file
    5. Share/send the file from the other device via Bluetooth.
    6. You should see a confirmation box of the transfer being in progress.

    To Send the file:

    1. Pair your Surface and the other device.
    2. Open the Desktop app on the Surface.
    3. Right click on the Bluetooth icon in the Notification area
    4. Click on Send a file
    5. Select the device to send the file to and click Next.
    6. Click on Browse and find the file you wish to send and click on Next.
    7. You should see a confirmation box of the transfer being in progress, you may need to accept the file transfer on your paired device.

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  1. btbt 11,826 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2014-04-01T23:33:58+00:00

    I believe the default folder on the Surface is your Downloads folder. But it also remembers the last folder you saved a Bluetooth file transfer to. For example, when my Windows 8 machine receives a file via Bluetooth, it asks if I want to save to the Desktop.

    If you can't find the file, send another file to your Surface and during the transfer, look at the folder where it is saving to.

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  2. btbt 11,826 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-11-05T07:30:54+00:00

    Nah, AirDrop is an Apple-proprietary technology. It doesn't even work between Macs and iPhones right now.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-05T07:21:45+00:00

    Thanks Entegy,

    I figured as much since I had already tried exactly what Steven B suggested prior to posting.  Paring the devices was the real goal and the surface passed with flying colors.  I had hoped the AirDrop feature might suffice as the conduit in this case, but no.  Not a deal breaker for sure.  I can get the 2 or 3 photos I wanted for backgrounds via email. 

    Steven B thanks for your reply also.

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