btmgmt

btmgmt [options] [{command [params]}]

-i, --index=INDEX
    Select controller by index (default: 0)

-b, --no-paging
    Disable paging output beyond 24 lines

-n, --timestamp
    Prefix lines with timestamps

-t, --tty=TTY
    Specify controller by TTY path

-V, --version
    Print version information

-h, --help
    Show usage help

btmgmt is a command-line utility from the BlueZ Linux Bluetooth stack, providing low-level access to Bluetooth controllers via the kernel's generic Management (MGMT) socket interface.

It enables precise control over adapter states, discovery, scanning, advertising, pairing, security settings, and more. Ideal for developers, testers, and scripting, it supports multiple controllers by index and outputs machine-readable responses.

Key uses include enabling/disabling power, setting discoverable/connectable modes, LE scanning/advertising, reading controller info (version, features, LE states), managing bonds/keys, and handling events like device found or passkey requests. Unlike interactive bluetoothctl, btmgmt is non-interactive and raw, perfect for automation.

Most operations require root privileges. It's crucial for embedded systems, debugging HCI issues, or customizing Bluetooth behavior beyond D-Bus APIs.

Requires root for most commands. Not all commands supported on every controller/hardware. Output is verbose; parse carefully for scripts.

info
power on|off|auto
find [le|bredr]
discov on|off
pair <BDADDR>
set-powered on|off
set-connectable on|off
set-discoverable on|off

btmgmt info — Show controller details.
btmgmt -i 0 power on — Power on first controller.
btmgmt find — Start device discovery.

Introduced in BlueZ 4.93 (2012) with MGMT kernel API for modern Bluetooth. Expanded in BlueZ 5.x for BLE (Bluetooth 4.0+), with ongoing updates for Bluetooth 5.x features like extended advertising.

bluetoothctl(1), hciconfig(8), hcitool(8), btmon(1), bluetoothd(8)