Everyone wants a good music experience. I want to take control of my Bluetooth speaker most of the time. But sometimes, people can get a little too close to your personal space. Bluetooth speakers can be upsetting when someone gets too much control for a couple of hours. Also, it can be annoying when an unauthorized device gets paired with your Bluetooth speaker. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to kick someone off your Bluetooth speaker.
Why Remove Someone From Your Bluetooth Speaker?
There are a few reasons why you might want to remove someone from your Bluetooth speaker. Maybe they’re playing music too loudly, and you can’t concentrate. Perhaps you don’t like the way they’re using it, or maybe you’re not a fan of sharing your music.
Other reasons may be because they’ve been controlling the music for way too long, and you want to take back control. Whatever the reason, it’s easy to remove someone from your Bluetooth speaker.
How to Kick Someone Off Your Bluetooth Speaker
The process of kicking someone off your Bluetooth speaker will vary depending on the make and model of your speaker. But, in general, there are a few ways to do it.
📢Turn off your speaker and back on again.
It will usually boot anyone off your speaker who isn’t supposed to be there. It’s a simple way to take back control of your speaker without having to go through any menus.
Before turning on the speaker again, turn off the Bluetooth and back on to make it search again for devices. In this way, you can get a headstart on the process and make sure your speaker is looking for your device specifically. It may not be the most graceful way to do things, but it will kick off someone from your speaker.
📢Force Bluetooth speaker in pairing mode.
Pairing mode is a unique feature for most Bluetooth speakers, essential for initial set-up. Suppose there are multiple devices connected to your speaker. In that case, you can try putting it into pairing mode to remove the person. It will usually work if someone has connected to your speaker without your permission.
This process will vary depending on your speaker. Still, it usually involves holding down the Bluetooth button for five seconds until the LED light blinks. Search for your Bluetooth speaker and connect once you’re in the pairing mode.
If someone is already connected to your Bluetooth speaker, they will be kicked off when you try to connect. It is an excellent way to control your speaker again if someone has been hogging it for a while.
📢Speaker factory reset.
If all else fails, you can try resetting your speaker to its factory settings. It will remove all connections from your speaker, so you’ll have to start from scratch and connect your device again.
Remember that resetting your Bluetooth speaker depends on the make and model, so consult your user manual to see how to do it. But in most cases, you need to power down the Bluetooth speaker. Press and hold the Power and Bluetooth button for 15 seconds, and pair your device again. Avoid unpairing your device unless you power the speaker down.
However, this should only be a last resort as it will delete all your speaker’s settings. Suppose you’ve been having trouble with someone connecting to your speaker without your permission. In that case, this might be the solution you’re looking for.
📢Add extra re-authentication.
If you’re having a lot of trouble with someone connecting to your Bluetooth speaker without your permission, you can add extra re-authentication. It means that the person will have to type in a code before connecting to the speaker.
This process will vary depending on your speaker. Still, it usually involves going into the settings and enabling the authentication feature. Once it’s enabled, make sure to set a strong code that the person won’t be able to guess.
Extra re-authentication is an excellent way to protect your Bluetooth speaker from being hijacked. It’s also a perfect way to take back control if someone has been connecting to your Bluetooth speaker for a while.
📢Change the code or password.
Suppose some shady person has been connecting to your Bluetooth speaker without your permission. In that case, they might have figured out the code or password. In this case, you’ll need to change it to something they don’t know.
The code should match both devices to have a successful pairing. So changing the code to a new one will prevent anyone from connecting to your Bluetooth speaker.
📢Turn off Bluetooth visibility.
If you don’t want anyone to connect to your Bluetooth speaker, you can turn Bluetooth visibility. No one can see your speaker when they’re searching for devices.
Turning off Bluetooth visibility is an excellent way to protect your Bluetooth speaker from being hijacked. Some high-end speakers have a special button for Bluetooth visibility, but most speakers have it in the settings. So, consult your user manual to see where it is on your device.
When strangers try to pair their devices to Bluetooth speakers many times, it can be a little irritating. So, they will most likely look for other Bluetooth-enabled speakers. If you feel like your speaker is constantly being taken over, there are some ways to stop that from happening.
📢Use a wired connection or jack instead.
If you’re sick of people connecting to your Bluetooth speaker without your permission, you can use a wired connection instead. It will prevent anyone from connecting to your speaker wirelessly.
To do this, you’ll need to find a suitable cable for your speaker. A 3.5mm aux cable is most common, but some speakers use proprietary cables. Once you have the cable, plug it into your speaker and the other end into your device.
While a wired connection is more secure than Bluetooth, it’s not as portable. So, use this method if you’re not moving your speaker around a lot.
📢Create more distance between devices.
Bluetooth typically works best when the devices are close to each other. So to easily kick someone off your speaker, you should create more distance between the devices.
The recommended distance for most Bluetooth 5.0 devices should not exceed 30 feet. Although it may still work fine for longer distances, different obstructions may interfere with the connection.
If you’re using your speaker at home, this is easy to do. Just move your speaker away from where the person is trying to connect. If you’re using your speaker outdoors like when you’re riding a motorcycle, you might need to move it closer to you.
📢Update the Bluetooth speaker’s firmware.
Most Bluetooth speakers come with built-in firmware. Manufacturers include this feature to update the speaker’s functionality still even after it’s been sold.
Firmware updates often include security patches that can help protect your device from being hijacked. So, it’s a good idea to check for updates and install them if they’re available. Updating the firmware will usually fix any bugs causing the problem. It’s also an ideal way to improve the overall performance of your speaker.
Not all Bluetooth speakers have firmware, but most high-end and newer models do. Consult your user manual or manufacturer’s website to check if your speaker has firmware.
To update the firmware on your speaker, you’ll need to connect it to a computer or download the app for your speaker (if available). Once it’s connected, you can usually run a firmware update through the manufacturer’s software.
📢Stay connected to your speaker.
If your Bluetooth speaker can only connect with one device, then you don’t have to worry about someone else connecting to it. You need to keep your device and the Bluetooth speaker paired.
Some speakers have a feature that allows you to connect with more than one device. It can be helpful if you want to share your music with someone or have multiple devices.
But if you’re worried about someone connecting to your speaker without your permission, you can always disable the feature. Also, turn off your Bluetooth speaker when you’re not using it. It will help keep your speaker secure.
Bluetooth Signal Interference
Like any wireless signal, Wi-Fi connection, and mobile device, Bluetooth range can be interfered with. Different Bluetooth devices use different frequencies, so one type of interference might not affect all devices equally. Here are some common sources of interference:
Walls and ceilings: Bluetooth signals can penetrate walls and ceilings, but they will significantly reduce the range. The thicker the wall or ceiling, the more it will interfere with the signal.
Microwave ovens: Microwaves use the same frequency as Bluetooth so that they can cause interference. If you’re having problems connecting to your speaker, try turning off the microwave.
Electromagnetic fields: Devices like power lines, electrical appliances, and motors create electromagnetic fields. They can also be caused by metal objects like filing cabinets or metal walls.
Wireless Wi-Fi speakers: If you have a Wi-Fi speaker, it might be interfering with your Bluetooth speaker. Try turning off your Wi-Fi router to see if the problem goes away.
Poorly isolated power lines: If you have a lot of electronics in your house, you might have poor-isolation power lines. It can cause interference with your Bluetooth speaker.
Other wireless signals: Like those from cordless phones or baby monitors, other wireless signals can also interfere with Bluetooth.
Use a different method
If you’re having trouble connecting to your speaker, try moving it away from any objects that might be causing interference. You can also try turning off any devices that might be causing the interference. Here are a few ways to connect to a Bluetooth speaker.
- Bluetooth pairing: This is the most common way to connect to a Bluetooth speaker. You’ll need to have the speaker and your device close to each other.
- Near Field Communication (NFC): This short-range wireless technology allows devices to communicate when they’re close to each other. Some Bluetooth speakers support NFC.
- Infrared: This line-of-sight technology uses light to communicate between devices. It has a shorter range than Bluetooth, but it can be used even if there are objects in the way.
- Wireless: This technology uses radio waves to communicate between devices. It has a more extended range than Bluetooth, but it can be interrupted by walls and other objects.
- Wired: This is the most reliable way to connect to a speaker. You’ll need to use an audio cable to connect your device to the speaker.
Most Common Bluetooth Vulnerabilities
Bluetooth speakers are also vulnerable to the same types of attacks as other Bluetooth devices. Here are the most common vulnerabilities:
👾Viruses
Outdated software is usually prone to malware infecting your device. Viruses and worms may bring down your speaker or create more severe risks. Fortunately, you can avoid these viruses from invading your speaker by keeping your speaker’s software up-to-date and installing security updates as soon as they become available.
👾Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
A man-in-the-middle attack is when a hacker inserts themselves between two devices and intercept or change the transmitted data. This type of attack is usually done to steal information, like passwords or credit card numbers. Prevent this issue by using a secure Bluetooth connection. It will encrypt your data so that anyone can read it other than the intended recipient.
👾Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping is when someone else listens in on your conversation. This type of attack is usually done to gather information or steal secrets. Eavesdroppers deceive the owners by pretending to be a valid device. For instance, they will use a device name that your speaker recognizes. You will get tricked into pairing with that device.
To protect yourself from eavesdropping, you should use a Bluetooth speaker that supports encryption. Also, make sure to double-check the name of the device before pairing.
👾Denial of Service Attacks
A denial of service attack is when a hacker prevents you from using your device. Hackers can do this by flooding your device with requests so that it can’t handle any more requests. This type of attack can render your device unusable.
To protect yourself from a denial of service attack, you should use a Bluetooth speaker that supports encryption. It will make it more difficult for hackers to flood your device with requests. It would be best if you also keep your software updated so that you can apply security patches as soon as they become available.
👾Bluesnarfing
Bluesnarfing is a type of attack that steals data from a Bluetooth device. This attack is about pairing devices with your Bluetooth speaker without your approval. So, the hacker needs to be within range of your device to execute the attack.
It may concern many owners because they may think that their data is unsafe when they are not around, which may put our privacy at risk.
Prevent Someone From Connecting to Your Bluetooth Speaker
If you don’t want to deal with kicking someone off your Bluetooth speaker, there are a few ways that you can prevent someone from connecting to your Bluetooth speaker without your permission.
âž¡Come up with a passcode.
It may be too technical to create a passcode for your Bluetooth speaker. Still, it’s a guaranteed way to prevent anyone from pairing with your speaker without your permission.
Download the speaker’s firmware first, including a hex editor. Look for the pairing code for the Bluetooth device and enter it into the hex editor. Save the file with a new name. Using a cable, connect the speaker to your laptop or pc to upload the file to the Bluetooth speaker.
Now, when you want to use your Bluetooth speaker, you’ll need to enter the passcode to connect to it.
âž¡Change the name of the speaker.
If you change the name of your Bluetooth speaker, it will be more difficult for someone to try and connect to it without your permission. It is because they won’t know what the speaker’s name is. You can change the name of your speaker in the settings menu.
âž¡Use a jack instead of Bluetooth.
If you don’t want to use Bluetooth to connect to your speaker, you can use the jack. If you’re worried about someone trying to hack into your Bluetooth speaker, this is a good option. Use the AUX input on your speaker to connect your device.
âž¡Buy a high-quality Bluetooth speaker with a panel.
Some latest models of Bluetooth speakers include advanced features such as security code settings. To prevent unauthorized access, it allows you to enter a number or letter code. So, if you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker that is hack-proof, it’s best to purchase one of these models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you override a Bluetooth speaker?
A: Yes, you can override it if your Bluetooth speaker has a multiple connections feature and it includes a software control panel on the device. You’ll be able to see all of the devices that are currently connected to your speaker and will have the ability to disconnect any of them.
Q: How to recover deleted Bluetooth devices?
A: If you’ve accidentally deleted a Bluetooth device from your speaker, you can recover it by resetting the network settings to ensure that nothing has changed. Go to your phone’s settings and find “system.” From there, select “reset” and then choose “reset network settings.” It will bring your phone back to its original state, and you should be able to see your Bluetooth device again.
Q: How do I know if my Bluetooth speaker is hacked?
A: If you notice that your Bluetooth speaker is acting strangely, then someone may have been hacking it. It may include the speaker turning on and off by itself, the sound quality changing, or strange noises coming from the speaker. If you suspect that someone hacked your Bluetooth speaker, it’s best to reset it to its original settings.
Q: How to delete a device that I can’t remove?
A: If you’re having trouble removing a device from your Bluetooth speaker, the device may no longer be paired with the speaker. In this case, you can try to “forget” the device from your speaker.
Final Thoughts
Nowadays, Bluetooth speakers have been a popular device among people from all walks of life. It allows you to listen to music wirelessly and easily connect to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
However, some risks come with using Bluetooth speakers. There have been cases where people have hacked into Bluetooth speakers to eavesdrop on conversations or play inappropriate content. Fortunately, there are helpful ways to kick someone off your Bluetooth speaker. By following the tips listed above, you can keep your Bluetooth speaker to yourself and avoid potential security risks.