bluetooth-sendto

bluetooth-sendto [--device=ADDRESS] [--name=NAME] [FILE...]

-d, --device=ADDRESS
    Specify the local Bluetooth adapter address (e.g., AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF)

-n, --name=NAME
    Specify the remote device name for easier selection during scan

bluetooth-sendto is a Linux command-line utility from the BlueZ Bluetooth protocol stack, designed primarily for desktop environments to transfer files to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices using the OBEX (Object Exchange) push protocol.

It is commonly invoked from file managers like Nautilus in GNOME, where users select files and choose 'Send to Bluetooth' to share them with phones, headphones, or other gadgets. When run without specifying a target, it launches a graphical dialog (using tools like Zenity or GTK) to scan for and select discoverable Bluetooth devices by name or address.

Once a device is chosen, it establishes a connection and pushes the specified files. It supports multiple files and works with RFCOMM channels typically on port 9 for OBEX Object Push. Requires BlueZ services running (bluetoothd) and a paired or discoverable remote device.

Ideal for quick sharing without pairing hassles in many cases, but may require manual pairing first for security. Not suited for scripting due to its GUI dependency.

Requires graphical environment (GTK/Zenity); not script-friendly. Needs rootless BlueZ (bluetoothd) running and rfcomm support. Fails if device not discoverable/paired. Deprecated --dest option in newer versions.

bluetooth-sendto photo.jpg
Opens dialog to select device and send file.

bluetooth-sendto --device=00:11:22:33:44:55 --name=MyPhone *.txt
Sends all .txt files to named device on specified adapter.

Introduced in BlueZ 4.x (circa 2008) as part of gnome-bluetooth utils; evolved with BlueZ 5.x for better D-Bus integration. Widely used in GNOME/KDE until modern alternatives like obexctl gained traction.

bluetooth-receive(1), bluetoothctl(1), obexctl(1), rfcomm(8)