How to Install the Latest Version of BlueZ on Ubuntu

If you work with Bluetooth devices on Linux, BlueZ is the official Bluetooth protocol stack you’ll use. Ubuntu includes BlueZ in its repositories, but those versions can lag behind the latest releases. To unlock new features, bug fixes, and hardware support, you might want to install the newest version of BlueZ.

This guide shows you exactly how to do that—no unnecessary jargon, just steps that work.

What is BlueZ?

BlueZ is the Bluetooth stack for Linux, powering everything from wireless headphones to IoT devices. Most Linux distributions ship with BlueZ, but not always the most up-to-date version.

Why Upgrade BlueZ?

• Better device compatibility
• Latest bug fixes
• New features (like improved BLE support)

If you’ve run into connection issues or your hardware isn’t recognized, updating BlueZ is often the fix.

Step 1: Remove the Old BlueZ Version

First, open your terminal and run:

sudo apt-get remove --purge bluez

This clears out any existing BlueZ installation.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Before you build BlueZ from source, you need some tools and libraries:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y libdbus-1-dev libudev-dev libical-dev libreadline-dev \
    libglib2.0-dev libusb-dev build-essential make automake libtool pkg-config \
    python3-pip

Step 3: Download the Latest BlueZ

Visit the official BlueZ release page to find the latest version, or use these commands to get it directly:

cd /tmp
wget https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/bluetooth/bluez-5.74.tar.xz
tar xf bluez-5.74.tar.xz
cd bluez-5.74

Note: Replace 5.74 with the latest version number you find.

Step 4: Build and Install BlueZ

Now, compile and install:

./configure --prefix=/usr --mandir=/usr/share/man --sysconfdir=/etc --localstatedir=/var
make
sudo make install

This process may take a few minutes. If you don’t see errors, you’re good to go.

Step 5: Enable and Start the Bluetooth Service

Restart the Bluetooth service so Ubuntu uses your new BlueZ:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl restart bluetooth
sudo systemctl status bluetooth

If it’s running and you don’t see errors, the installation worked.

Step 6: Verify BlueZ Version

Check that you’re on the latest version:

bluetoothd -v

You should see the version number you just installed.

Troubleshooting

If you run into issues:

• Make sure all dependencies are installed.
• Check for typos in the commands.
• Review the output for error messages.

For most users, following these steps will get you up and running with the latest BlueZ.

Final Thoughts

Staying up to date with BlueZ means better Bluetooth on Ubuntu. You get new features, better hardware support, and smoother performance. Bookmark this guide for the next time you set up a new system or run into Bluetooth headaches!

Questions? Drop them in the comments below.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!