Connect Bluetooth Devices on Microsoft Surface with Windows RT
Microsoft Surface includes Bluetooth 4.0 that allows you to easily connect devices like keyboards, Fitbit and Nike+ fitness, printers and music devices.
Update: Windows RT was an operating system (similar to Windows 8.1) that never caught on. The RT version of Windows (and the Surface RT) is no longer supported.
The Microsoft Surface includes Bluetooth 4.0 which is the latest version of the wireless protocol and more energy efficient. It’s is backward compatible and allows you to connect your Bluetooth devices easily. Here’s how to find and add Bluetooth devices to the Surface.
Bluetooth Microsoft Surface
By default, the Bluetooth icon appears on the desktop Taskbar. After turning on the Bluetooth device, you want to pair, click or tap the icon and select “Add a Bluetooth Device.”
PC Settings opens with Devices selected. Windows RT will scan and detect Bluetooth devices, select the one you want to add.
Then pair the device by entering the code on the screen or verifying the code it sends to the Bluetooth device. For example, here, I’m adding a third-party Bluetooth keyboard.
You can also make your Surface discoverable by opening settings and check “Allow Bluetooth Devices to Find this Computer” and click OK.
Bluetooth lets you easily connect devices like keyboards, Fitbit and Nike+ devices, printers, and music devices. As Bluetooth 4.0 continues to develop and more devices incorporate it, I’ll have more groovy tips and tricks for using it from your Surface tablet.
6 Comments
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Joe
January 24, 2013 at 8:20 am
I noticed you have a Roku connected to your Surface. How do you connect the two and what can you do via that connection?
Brian Burgess
January 24, 2013 at 9:01 am
@Joe It’s the Roku 2 XS and the Bluetooth in it is used to pair the remote / game controller — http://goo.gl/ZQQBP
Other than that, I haven’t been able to do anything else with it.
Joe
January 24, 2013 at 10:53 am
Thanks, I’ve used the Roku remote Win 8 app and although it’s not “official”, it’s worked ok for me.
Tom Wiesmueller
July 23, 2013 at 10:56 am
My JLAB Crasher Bluetooth speaker connects to the Surface, but only gives a short burst
of sound and then stops. The speaker works well with my Acer Aspire using Bluetooth version
4.0 + HS.
Mark
November 2, 2014 at 6:46 am
My Surface RT will connect to Bluetooth devices, but I have to disconnect and re-pair every time I fire up. How can I find compatible devices? Windows Compatibility site is worthless.
Thank you
Jasson X
June 24, 2016 at 6:22 pm
Will Microsoft surface work with amazon echo for Bluetooth speaker ?