Get to know how to activate and use Bluetooth in your Galaxy Note 3. Pairing with other Bluetooth devices, and sending and receiving data, are covered.
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Bluetooth creates a direct wireless connection between two devices over short distances. Use Bluetooth in Galaxy Note 3 to exchange data or media files with other devices.
- Samsung is not responsible for the loss, interception, or misuse of data sent or received via the Bluetooth feature.
- Always ensure that you share and receive data with devices that are trusted and properly secured. If there are obstacles between the devices, the operating distance may be reduced.
- Some devices, especially those that are not tested or approved by the Bluetooth SIG, may be incompatible with your device.
- Do not use the Bluetooth feature for illegal purposes (for example, pirating copies of files or illegally tapping communications for commercial purposes).
- Samsung is not responsible for the repercussion of illegal use of the Bluetooth feature.
To activate Bluetooth, on the Applications screen, tap Settings → Connections → Bluetooth, and then drag the Bluetooth switch to the right.
Pairing with other Bluetooth devices
On the Applications screen, tap Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Scan, and detected devices are listed. Select the device you want to pair with, and then accept the auto-generated passkey on both devices to confirm.
Sending and receiving data
Many applications support data transfer via Bluetooth. An example is Gallery. Open Gallery, select an image, tap 
→ Bluetooth, and then select one of the Bluetooth devices. After that, accept the Bluetooth authorization request on the other device to receive the image. The transferred file is saved in the Bluetooth folder. If a contact is received, it is added to the contacts list automatically.
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Any questions? let us know in the comment box below.
Hani says
July 7, 2017 at 5:42 amHi..where to find the received bluetooth images from other device in samsung note 3
Simon says
July 7, 2017 at 11:53 amFiles received through Bluetooth in Note 3 should be in the Download folder.
You can also find the exact location in Gallery app. You can find the received images in Gallery app. Open it in Gallery app, then tap menu button (left button) in Note 3, then tap Details. The full path should be shown as /storage/emulated/0/Download/ImageFileName.
If you receive files through third-party apps with Bluetooth, then it depends on the app. But you should be able to find the received files in Gallery (for images and videos) or My files (tap Recent files –select the file, tap menu button, then tap Details to get the path).
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David Bentz says
June 20, 2016 at 5:30 amI recived a .vcf file by bluetooth on my galaxy s6, but i can’t find that file, i need that file, help me
Simon says
June 20, 2016 at 9:39 amIt depends on the app you are using.
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brean a lopez says
February 29, 2016 at 3:59 amI can’t receive files on my note 5
Simon says
February 29, 2016 at 5:03 amAny messages from sending devices? Can you send files to that device from Note 5?
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Tarik says
January 16, 2016 at 9:51 ami tried to send file from my note3 to my laptop via bluetooth but always gave me “file not sent” although i can pair them
Simon says
January 16, 2016 at 2:17 pmSometimes, the pop up for receiving files on PC may be blocked somehow. Did you try to send file in the other direction (from PC to Note 3)?
Another possible cause is the laptop does not have proper Bluetooth profile (this depends on chip and driver of the Bluetooth device on the laptop) for phones. So, it does not recognize the phone as a sending source.
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dinaliza says
March 7, 2015 at 11:27 pmwhen i receive from laptop multiple of pics for example
it asks me for each pic to accept or ignore
>> is there a way to accept them all as it is paired device
Samsung note 3
thanks in advance
Simon says
March 8, 2015 at 2:52 amI guess it depends on the driver on the laptop, not the settings on your Note 3.
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Jez says
February 27, 2015 at 5:21 amI guess there is a list that ask me which device to make a request to nearby devices but I just have only one. But if it’s about “passively wait” as you said, it’s done. I just hope the developer will improve it back like the good old one in the future models. Thank you very much.
Simon says
February 27, 2015 at 10:17 amWhen Bluetooth is turned on, Note 3 should always scan nearby devices, but it doesn’t actively connected to the devices paired before. Some other Bluetooth devices may automatically connect to a paired device if they find one.
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Jez says
February 27, 2015 at 1:22 amNo. I just paired a head set as my first device so there’s only the head set in the list. No other device nearby.
Simon says
February 27, 2015 at 4:45 amI mean whether the note 3 shows the list of nearby devices or the note 3 shows some pairing request.
For note 3, it is passively waiting for other Bluetooth device to initiate the pairing. This is different from older models. So, for some Bluetooth devices, it can be paired automatically. But for some, it is not. I don’t think you can change this behavior for Note 3.
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Jez says
February 26, 2015 at 2:18 pmIt’s the same old head set I used with S2 and I leave the phone’s bluetooth always on. The S2 connected as soon as the head set turned on but Note3 have pairing request popup instead.(ofcourse I did not turn both S2 and Note3 at the same time.) Is it some kind of security they come up with or just plain developer’s mistake? I’m not english native speaker so, Thank you for your reply and to bear with my english skill.
Simon says
February 27, 2015 at 12:06 amIn note 3, is it a list of nearby devices or pairing request?
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Jez says
February 26, 2015 at 12:43 pmMy Galaxy Note 3 paired with Nokia head set successfully. But they didn’t auto connect the next time I turn it on. Unlike Galaxy S2 that a had used for many years, instant connected each time I turn it on. I had try to find the topic over the internet that suggest installing the App called “bluetooth auto connect”. Still, it always pop up pairing request everytime I turn it on. Is there other option that bring me to old good S2 connection way?
Simon says
February 26, 2015 at 2:00 pmIt depends on the headset as well. You may try to turn on Bluetooth on the phone first, then power on headset. Some headsets can then connect automatically.
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pallavi says
January 23, 2015 at 4:21 amis there any way to track out what data have been transferred from my note 3 neo to other devices and to which device?
Simon says
January 23, 2015 at 10:06 amBy default, the Bluetooth only tracks received files, not sent files. You may try some third party apps to track sick things.
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Faisal says
January 4, 2015 at 6:22 amany solution identified?
Simon says
January 4, 2015 at 12:12 pmWhat’s your Bluetooth problem?
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Ben ashworth says
September 14, 2014 at 10:54 pmHelp my samsung galaxy note 3 cant bluetooth media files to a samsung galaxy note 1 does anyone know why I cant.
Simon says
September 15, 2014 at 10:30 amCan you pair them?
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mitul bhatia says
September 8, 2014 at 12:15 pmHi,
i have a samsung galaxy note 3. While transferring files from my laptop via bluetooth to my phone, I receive the files in the downloads folder on the phone memory, instead of receiving it in the bluetooth folder. How can i change this ??
Mitul.
Simon says
September 8, 2014 at 12:37 pmI think this is normal if the Bluetooth is initiated from the PC/laptop.
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mitul bhatia says
September 8, 2014 at 12:43 pmHi Simon,
But this is the 1st time its happening as previously i used to receive them in the bluetooth folder itself even via my laptop.
Simon says
September 9, 2014 at 10:20 amNot sure. For me, the file is in download folder if it is from the laptop. If it’s from other phones, it’s normally enters bluetooth folder. I had thought it’s probably due to the working mode (protocol). Anyway, i am not an expert on this. Actuality I seldom use Bluetooth to transfer files because it’s too slow.
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brian says
October 7, 2014 at 9:08 pmsame issue here. previous files sent to Bluetooth folder and now its going to “download” folder. im guessing a change with the last update.
mohammed says
December 6, 2014 at 7:50 pmSame problem with my note 3… im receiving the bluetooth transfer files in my downloads folder. Do anyone have the solution for this?
Simon says
December 7, 2014 at 1:40 amThis is normal and no settings for this. Does it cause any problems?
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Emilly says
August 31, 2014 at 8:03 amhey, i was wondering why does my received files via bluetooth disappeared by itself?
Simon says
August 31, 2014 at 1:02 pmDid you check the files with My Files or on the PC? Sometimes, the list of received files may be not reliable.
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