Below, we’ll explain what Bluetooth 5 is, then cover how you can check your PC’s Bluetooth version and upgrade your adapter to the latest version.
What Is Bluetooth 5?
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology found in almost all new electronic devices. It enables you to connect devices together.
For example, it’s used to connect smartphones to wireless devices including wearables (like wireless earbuds), smart home devices, peripherals (like wireless keyboards), and audio devices (like a car’s audio system).
Bluetooth 5 is the latest version of Bluetooth, introduced in 2016 to replace the older Bluetooth 4.2. The first Bluetooth 5-enabled devices were released in 2017, including the Apple iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S8.
Bluetooth 5.0 brought several new features to the table, including increased data rate and bandwidth. Its functionality has improved further with Bluetooth 5.1, Bluetooth 5.2, and the most recent new version, Bluetooth 5.3.
Compared with previous versions, Bluetooth 5.0 had:
Luckily, each Bluetooth iteration is backwards compatible, meaning that if your Bluetooth devices are only Bluetooth 4.2-compatible, they’ll still work with a Bluetooth 5 smartphone — but they will run on Bluetooth 4.2.
How to Check Which Bluetooth Version You Have
To check your Windows PC Bluetooth version:
How to Upgrade Your PC to Bluetooth 5
If you want to make the most of the latest Bluetooth technology, but your PC only supports Bluetooth 4, it’s possible to upgrade. All you need to do is purchase a new Bluetooth adapter that’s compatible with the best Bluetooth specification and connect it to your PC.
Disable the Built-in Bluetooth Adapter
To disable your older adapter:
Connect the New Bluetooth Adapter
Now, simply plug-in the new adapter. To check that it’s connected properly and recognized by your PC:
Can I Upgrade My Smartphone to Bluetooth 5?
Unfortunately, if your smartphone (or other handheld device) isn’t Bluetooth 5-compatible, there’s no way to upgrade it. Instead, you’ll have to purchase a new device that is compatible with Bluetooth 5. However, all new Bluetooth 5-enabled peripherals will be backwards compatible with your phone.
