Wireless accessories don't just require pairing and that's it: many demand a minimum Bluetooth version to function at 100%. If you are missing certain features (high quality audio(extended ranges, specific profiles), the problem may not be the accessory, but the Bluetooth version of your device.
Although the devices are usually backward compatible and almost always connect, use a phone or computer with an older version This means that some of the improvements in recent versions are not being used. Below you will see how to check the Bluetooth version in Windows 11 (and Windows 10), Linux and Androidwhat each number means and what to do to correctly interpret the results.
What does the Bluetooth version mean and why should you care?
The Bluetooth version identifies the main specification that understands the device's radioEach version upgrade has added improvements (Energy Efficiency (stability, speed, range, new profiles), that's why some accessories require a specific generation to unlock advanced features.
As a curiosity, the name Bluetooth comes from Harald Blåtand (Harald Bluetooth)A Scandinavian king associated with the unification of peoples; hence the logo with runes alluding to his initials. This standard is maintained by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG)And in the current catalog you'll find many 4.x and 5.x radios, while the protocol's technical mapping tables also reflect correspondences up to newer versions.
One key point: the version you often see on the system comes from LMP (Link Manager Protocol) or the HCI version. It's not just a decorative number: it's the clue to knowing which main specification your equipment supports and, therefore, what real benefits It can be used with your headphones, speakers or car hands-free system.
Windows 11 (and Windows 10): How to view the LMP version and translate it
In Windows, the most reliable way to find out is from the Device administratorYou don't need external programs, just follow a few keystrokes and look for the appropriate box.
- Right click on Home and enters Device administrator.
- Expand the section Bluetooth to view the listed items.
- Identify the Bluetooth radio true (not the enumerator). It is usually called something like "Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth" or "Realtek Bluetooth Adapter", that is, a name with a manufacturer.
- Right-click on that radio and choose Properties.
- Go to the tab You advanced adapter.
- In "Firmware Version" you will see the entry LMP (Link Manager Protocol). That's the number you need for map the real version Bluetooth.
The LMP value represents the maximum main specification fully supported because of your module. A higher version accessory will almost certainly connect, but it might lose features or work with limited functions.
Use this table to translate LMP to Bluetooth major version (abbreviated format): If your Windows displays LMP=X, here's its equivalent.
| LMP version | Bluetooth Main Specification |
| LMP 0 | Bluetooth 1.0b (retired) |
| LMP 1 | Bluetooth 1.1 (discontinued) |
| LMP 2 | Bluetooth 1.2 (discontinued) |
| LMP 3 | Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (retired) |
| LMP 4 | Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (obsolete, withdrawn) |
| LMP 5 | Bluetooth 3.0 + HS (obsolete, being phased out) |
| LMP 6 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| LMP 7 | Bluetooth 4.1 |
| LMP 8 | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| LMP 9 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| LMP 10 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| LMP 11 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| LMP 12 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| LMP 13 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| LMP 14 | Bluetooth 6.0 |
With that reference, if your adapter says for example LMP 9You'll know that the specification that completely dominates is Bluetooth 5.0And so on with the rest of the numbers, allowing you to check at a glance whether your equipment is up to par with your accessories and, if you need to manage them, learn how. unpair a device.
Alternative method in Windows: a quick and portable tool
If you'd rather avoid the trip through Device Manager, there's a small, portable utility called Bluetooth Version Finder It directly shows you the version supported by your Windows. It's lightweight, requires no installation, and It saves you several clicks.
Simply download it from its official website, unzip the file, and run the program to see the result. You'll get it in seconds. exact version that controls your Bluetooth adapter.
Linux: interpret dmesg, hciconfig and LMP/HCI
In Linux, some commands Generics do not reveal the hardware version. For example, when using dmesg | grep Bluetooth You'll see kernel stack lines (Core, L2CAP, SCO, BNEP, MGMT), but that It's not the adapter version..
sudo dmesg | grep Bluetooth Bluetooth: Core ver 2.22 Bluetooth: HCI Device & Connection Manager initialized Bluetooth: HCI Socket Layer initialized Bluetooth: L2CAP Socket Layer initialized Bluetooth: SCO Socket Layer initialized Bluetooth: BNEP (Ethernet Emulation) ver 1.3 Bluetooth: BNEP Filters: Protocol Multicast Bluetooth: BNEP Socket Layer initialized Bluetooth: MGMT ver 1.22 Bluetooth: RFCOMM TTY Layer initialized Bluetooth: RFCOMM Socket Layer initialized Bluetooth: RFCOMM ver 1.11
As you can see, they appear there. software stack versionsNot the one from physical radio waves. For the data we're looking for, it's more useful. hciconfig -a, which reveals HCI, LMP, manufacturer and more interface details.
hciconfig -a hci0: Type: Primary Bus: USB BD Address: 88:53:2E:EB:24:71 ACL MTU: 310:10 SCO MTU: 64:8 STATUS: UP RUNNING PSCAN RX Bytes: 821 acl: 0 sco: 0 events: 69 errors: 0 TX Bytes: 5671 acl: 0 sco: 0 commands: 65 errors: 0 Features: 0xff 0xff 0x8f 0xfe 0x9b 0xff 0x59 0x87 Packet Type: DM1 DM3 DM5 DH1 DH3 DH5 HV1 HV2 HV3 Binding Policy: RSWITCH HOLD SNIFF PARK Binding Mode: PERIPHERAL ACCEPT Name: 'dell' Class: 0x6c010c (Services: Rendering, Capture, Audio, Telephony; Device: Computer, Laptop) HCI Version: 3.0 (0x5) Revision: 0x1b07 LMP Version: 3.0 (0x5) Subversion: 0xfc00 Manufacturer: Intel Corp. (2)
In the previous example, the LMP version listed as 3.0 (0x5), which according to the table is equivalent to Bluetooth 3.0 + HSThat's the information you need to know what real features you can take advantage of in Linux with your devices.
Android: Check the version with AIDA64 and review features with BT/BLE Checker
The radio version isn't directly displayed on the Android system information screen. Therefore, the most convenient way is to use a diagnostic app. check versionas the AIDA64, which provides a detailed summary of the hardware and system.
Once installed, go to the section System and scroll down until you find the entry called «Bluetooth version"There you will see the specific number that your mobile phone supports according to its internal metadata, which It allows you to confirm if it meets the requirements of the accessory you want to use.
Remember that, although a phone with Bluetooth 4.2 It can connect to headphones Bluetooth 5.0It will not take advantage of certain benefits (e.g., efficiency or maximum speed), because the pairing is backward compatible but the improvements of each generation They are not inherited backwards.
If you prefer to check what Bluetooth profiles and capabilities Your phone supports it (it's more technical), try the free app BT / BLE CheckerShows direction MAC and compatible functions, although it does not include detailed explanations of each profile.
Something important: the Bluetooth version It cannot be updated via software.It is a physical component integrated into the terminalTherefore, it is not possible to replace it with a higher version without changing the hardware.
Alternative methods on Android (Android 5 and Android 7)
On some devices with older versions like Android 5 Lollipop or Android 7 Nougat, you can view component information from Settings> Applications activating the view of apps of the system. It's a slightly longer process, but it can clear up any doubts when you don't want to install anything.
Enter to SettingsLook for the General section (if your layer displays it), tap on Applications and activate the option Show system (in the three-dot menu). Next, locate Bluetooth (choose the one with the blue icon) to open its profile and check the firmware/protocol version that uses the device.
In those cases, protocol values are shown, for example «5.0.2»Or«7.1.1"You should interpret those numbers using the LMP table seen earlier: 5.x corresponds to Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, and a 7.x version is associated with Bluetooth 4.1In other words, you won't see "Bluetooth 4.1" directly, but rather the information that allows you to deduce it.
As always, the appearance of the menus may vary depending on the brand and its customization layer, but the options are basically in the same place. If you get confused, resort to AIDA64 It remains the fastest and clearest option.
Compatibility, everyday uses, and why problems sometimes arise
Bluetooth is versatile: it's useful for Headphones, speakers, remote controls, hands-free devices, file sharing and much more. Although it's not used as much for moving photos as it once was, it remains a key component of the mobile and PC wireless ecosystem.
In practice, backward compatibility allows linking devices from different versionsHowever, doing so can reduce performance and even lead to inconsistent experiences if one device attempts functions the other doesn't understand. That's why some pairings seem "unstable": It's not magic, it's the version.
Recent phones often have 4.2 or 5.x radios, which offer better power consumption and more robust connections. However, if an accessory requires a specific minimum version to activate features (for example, certain modes of transfer or profiles), your older device will connect, but it won't activate those improvements.
That's why it's helpful to check the version of your phone or PC adapter before buying headphones, speakers, or dongles. A quick glance at the LMP on Windows or HCI/LMP on Linux, or the version reported by AIDA64 on Android, you avoid surprises.
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