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Ask HN: Is possible to have a Linux setup where Bluetooth just works?

4 points by aresende ↗ HN
Even with Kernel-compatible devices and custom BlueZ configuration, the UX for bluetooth devices on Linux is simple terrible. Even on Steam Deck, which is quite optimized and less-prone to errors, it is not the same as in other platforms. So I was wondering if nowadays it is possible to have a software and hardware setup where the things just works?

16 comments

[ 4.5 ms ] story [ 48.1 ms ] thread
tambourine_man
Bluetooth doesn't “just work” anywhere. It’s ranges of tolerable and Linux is just in the lowest extreme.
bradley13
I have Xubuntu on a PC and a laptop. While I don't use it often, bluetooth seems to work just fine. Never had a problem.

Maybe you need to be more specific: what problems do you have?

LMYahooTFY
Bluetooth is generally terrible, Apple had to build on top of it to make it a tolerable experience.
nikonyrh
Educate me, what did they build?
LMYahooTFY
AFAIK it's mostly not open sourced, but from what I recall the H1/H2 chips used in the devices improves and augments a lot of functionality. It includes a bluetooth modem among other things, and the result is much improved performance and pairing. On the software side I think (possibly also facilitated by the chip) Airpods also utilize a feature for switching between devices using your Apple ID. I think Apple automatically syncs bluetooth settings between your devices.
AHatLikeThat
I use Bluetooth earphones daily with my desktop running manjaro KDE. the only problems I have encountered relate to the hardwsre, not linux.
LorenDB
Bluetooth has "just worked" for me for nearly four years using KDE Plasma on Ubuntu and then openSUSE Tumbleweed.
qup
I used to have a lot of BT problems, but haven't in a couple of years.

Ubuntu, ZorinOS, and Debian all work out of the box on a couple machines from the past few years.

KomoD
It "just worked" on Fedora for me but nothing but problems on Mint
JLCarveth
It could just be bluetooth itself? I know I've had lots of problems with bluetooth UX on Android devices.
notesinthefield
Im currently typing this on a fresh Fedora install, on an XPS 7390 using a an Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, a K380 keyboard and Teams with Bose QC35 headphones. I also use a BT Polycom on the same laptop, didnt have to do anything other than repairing. Its 100% your hardware, bluetooth has been solid for a few years now.
the__alchemist
You won't like the answer, but perhaps your search will be simplified if you generalize the problem: https://xkcd.com/2055/.
wojciii
As usual xkcb is accurate. The different protocols which Bluetooth is made of are very complex and IMHO error prone to implement and test against each other.

Sometimes I get the impression that people keep on developing Bluetooth when it would make more sense to restart from scratch.

wojciii
On laptops it usually works. I would not recommend any BLE pointer devices .. they usually suck. Probably same with keyboards. Chipsets which are going to attempt to share the radio between Bluetooth and WiFi tend to fail miserably at this which can lead to bad Bluetooth performance and thus noticeable delays with keyboards and pointing devices.

It's really terrible in cars in connection with android. I assume because no one tests older cars with newer phones.

Android Auto works most of the time when it doesn't change the UI language to french.. but it's not wireless.

I just want Bluetooth to die already and get replaced with something simpler that is designed to interoperate and is actually good at this.

tkiolp4
It doesn’t work as flawlessly as you think in other OS. In macOS I have trouble with non-apple bluetooth devices all the time.
zimpenfish
One anecdata: I've not had a problem with non-Apple Bluetooth devices in over a decade (covering watches, speakers, headphones, audio recorders, gps devices, POS printers, label printers, etc.)