bluetoothd

Start the daemon

$ bluetoothd

$ bluetoothd [[-n|--nodetach]]

$ bluetoothd [[-f|--configfile]] [path/to/file]

$ bluetoothd [[-d|--debug]]

$ bluetoothd [[-d|--debug=]][path/to/file1:path/to/file2:...]

bluetoothd [options]

-h, --help
    Show help and exit

-i, --adapter=NAME
    Select adapter name (repeatable)

-v, --version
    Print version and exit

-C, --compat
    Enable legacy compatibility mode

-d, --debug[=FILE]
    Enable verbose debug logging (optional file)

-E, --experimental
    Activate experimental features

-n, --nodetach
    Run in foreground (no daemonize)

-u, --udev
    Listen on udev control socket

-r, --release
    Release D-Bus name on exit

bluetoothd is the core Bluetooth daemon in the Linux BlueZ protocol stack, managing all Bluetooth operations on the system.

It handles adapter initialization, device scanning and discovery, pairing, bonding, connection setup, and profile services like A2DP for audio, HSP/HFP for headsets, HID for input devices, and GATT for BLE.

The daemon communicates via D-Bus (org.bluez interface), enabling tools and desktop environments (e.g., GNOME Settings, KDE Plasma) to control Bluetooth. It supports both Classic Bluetooth and Low Energy (LE) modes, with features like LE advertising, mesh networking, and experimental capabilities.

Configuration is via /etc/bluetooth/main.conf, with per-adapter settings in /var/lib/bluetooth/. Logs go to systemd journal or a debug file. Primarily managed as a systemd service (bluetooth.service), not for direct manual runs except debugging.

Avoid manual execution; use systemctl for bluetooth.service. Multiple instances conflict on D-Bus/ports. Requires kernel Bluetooth modules (btusb, bluetooth). Debug mode increases log verbosity.

Edit /etc/bluetooth/main.conf for globals (e.g., DiscoverableTimeout).
Adapter configs in /var/lib/bluetooth/<MAC>/main.conf.

System bus service org.bluez at /org/bluez. Use dbus-send or libbluetooth for apps.

Debug with -d; view via journalctl -u bluetooth.

Introduced in BlueZ 3.x (~2004) by Marcel Holtmann's team. Evolved with BlueZ 5.x for modern BLE/GATT support; current in BlueZ 5.70+ with systemd integration since ~2010.

bluetoothctl(1), btmgmt(8), hciconfig(8), hcitool(8), systemctl(1)