How to transfer files between an Android device and another bluetooth device (iPhone, Kindle Fire HD, Bluetooth supported Laptop etc)

Here we'll refer to the 2 bluetooth devices as 'Android device' and 'Other device'


Step 1 - Initial Set-up

Install 'Bluetooth Transfer' or 'Bluetooth Transfer Trial' (Free) on the 'Android device'
This is the main screen of the app.

Install a bluetooth file transfer app on the 'Other Device'. If the device comes with built in bluetooth FTP support then no need to install the app. Check the product manual for details on supported blutooth operations.

Android app on Google Play

Android app on Amazon App store

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Step 2 - Open 'Bluetooth Transfer'

Open the app 'Bluetooth Transfer' on 'Android Device'. You'll see a dialog requesting permission to turn on bluetooth.
Click Yes.

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Step 3 - Make 'Other Device' Discoverable

Go to 'Other device' and turn on it's bluetooth. Now make that device 'Discoverable'. For ways to do that check the device manual.
Once you make 'Other Device' discoverable it can be found by 'Android device' while you try a device search.

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Step 4 - Search for devices

Now come back to 'Android device'.
Click on the search icon on the menu bar. The app will start searching for nearby bluetooth devices that are in visible (discoverable) mode. This takes around 10 seconds.

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Step 5 - Pair with 'Other Device'

After search is completed, all devices found will be listed.
If 'Other device', is displayed under the button 'Find Bluetooth Devices', then check whether it's status is 'Paired' or 'Not Paired'. In this screenshot the device is shown as 'Paired'.
Since only 'Paired' devices can connect to other bluetooth devices, if you find that 'Other device' is 'Not Paired', then long press on the device and select 'Pair'.
Follow the on-screen instructions to pair with the device. All you have to do is enter the same pin when prompted on both devices.
If 'Other device' is 'Paired' skip this step.

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Step 6 - Connect to 'Other Device'

After pairing is completed, tap on 'Other Device' and touch 'Connect'.
'Bluetooth Transfer' will try to connect to 'Other Device'.
If the connection is not successful after few seconds (ie if the progress display keeps on going) then check the 'Other Device' to see if it has some kind of authorization which you need to accept.

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Step 7 - Connected.

After succeful connection you can see this screen. There are 3 tabs displayed. 'My Device' lists the files on 'Your device'. 'Apps' displays the application installed on your device and 'Nexus One' (name of the other device) lists the files on 'Other device'.

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Step 8 - Choose file to send from 'Android device'

Now we're going to send a file from 'Android Device' to the 'Other Device'.
For this pick any file from the tab 'My Device'. Here we're picking the file 'Lady Gaga.mp3'. Navigate to that file using the file browser in 'My Device' tab
Now long press that file (Press and hold) to bring up the menu as in figure. Select the menu option 'Push files to Remote device' by touching it.

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Step 9 - Confirm push location.

You'll see a pop up like this. File will be sent to the folder selected in 'Remote Device' tab. But you can change it by touching 'No' in this pop up and selecting a new location.
Here I have chosen the folder /mnt/sdcard/remote-folder in 'Remote Device' tab. So I am clicking 'Yes' to proceed with the push.

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Step 10 - Wait for sending to be completed

File will be sent to the 'Other Device'. A progress message will be shown as it is being sent. Wait for it to be completed.

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Step 11 - Check for the file in 'Remote Device' tab.

Once sending is completed the file will be saved in the 'Nexus One' (your remote device) folder. Check for it there.

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Step 12 - Disconnect from 'Remote Device'

From the 'My Device' tab or 'Remote Device' tab select the 'Disconnect' menu option.

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Step 13 - We're done.

Pick 'Yes' to disconnect from the remote device and end this ftp session.
Congratulations! You successfully transferred your first file via bluetooth.

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