Auto Connect Nexus 5 Bluetooth to Macbook Pro for Smart Lock

Question

Level 1

79 points

Auto Connect Nexus 5 Bluetooth to Macbook Pro for Smart Lock

I would like to have my Nexus 5, (Android 5), automatically link to my Macbook Pro, (10.10), via bluetooth, whenever it's in range, and stay connected as long as it's in range for the purposes of engaging Android 5's Smart Lock.

I've paired them from both directions, and I can send a file from the Nexus 5 to the MBP. If I try to use the "Connect to Network" choice from the MBP bluetooth preferences I get a "Network is Unavailable" message on the MBP. Unfortunately, for any of these activities the BT connection lasts for no more than the time it needs to transfer the file, or a few seconds otherwise.

I don't need to do anything via the bluetooth connection between computer and phone, I just want it to automatically connect and stay connected when in range, or failing that, let me manually connect and stay connected when in range. If there's some BT app that can achieve this, please feel free to point me in that direction.

Thanks

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Nov 16, 2014 6:34 AM

Reply

Answer 1

bgulotta

Level 1

14 points

Nov 19, 2014 11:58 AM in response to jasn

Hey jasn,

The way I achieved the desired behavior was to pair my nexus 5 with my macbook pro. Then go into your Nexus 5 and enable bluetooth tethering. Finally go into your network settings on your macbook pro and enable a bluetooth PAN between your nexus 5 and macbook pro. Then the new Smart Lock feature will work.

Brian

Reply

Answer 2

jasn Author

Level 1

79 points

Nov 19, 2014 12:36 PM in response to bgulotta

Thanks Brian,

After setting Bluetooth tethering under Tethering & portable hotspot, to on, I was able to do the same thing. I don't need to tether via bluetooth here at my desk, but it does keep smart lock unlocked, which is what I wanted. Having said that, it looks like Google will update Play Services to provide smart lock with trusted location capability, so I won't need to do this while at home any more.

Jason

Reply

Answer 3

schmecky

Level 1

0 points

Nov 20, 2014 8:49 AM in response to bgulotta

I have the same problem with the Nexus 6. Is there any way to do this without enabling Bluetooth tethering? I definitely don't want to do that, but I really want Smart Lock enabled. It seems silly that I can't just connect my Nexus 6 to my computer without tethering.

Reply

Answer 4

jasn Author

Level 1

79 points

Nov 20, 2014 9:15 AM in response to schmecky

So far, I'm not able to find an OSX app that can simply enable the BT connection to my Nexus 5 and keep it connected. Even the BT tethering will quit after a while. A better solution is coming with the next update to Google Play Services, when they add a trusted place to smart lock, as described in my prior post. That way you can specify a location where smart lock will keep the phone unlocked. Hopefully the Android devs will consider adding more trusted options later, like trusted wifi, or trusted while on AC, etc.

Good Luck,

Jason

Reply

Answer 5

schmecky

Level 1

0 points

Nov 20, 2014 9:32 AM in response to jasn

That's not ideal for me...I'd like to have Smart Unlock on while I'm at my desk at work. I can't use location or wifi because then my phone would be unlocked anywhere in the building. I might have to try getting some NFC stickers and see how that works. I wish Bluetooth would work though.

Reply

Answer 6

jasn Author

Level 1

79 points

Nov 20, 2014 9:38 AM in response to schmecky

Good point. I actually ordered some NFC tags, and I'm going to play around with them and see how easy it is to set them up at my desk to enable smart lock. I also asked over on the xda-forums if there was such a device as a Qi charger with an NFC chip built in, which could enable the phone to be unlocked while charging, but so far no response yet.

Good Luck..

Reply