> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dongle.hideez.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dongle.hideez.com/how-to-use-hideez-bluetooth-dongle-on-chromebook.md).

# How to use Hideez Bluetooth Dongle on Chromebook

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tested on:** 

* Acer Chromebook CP311-3H (ARM Cortex-A53, Model *jacuzzi*, Board *juniper*), 
* Google ChromeOS version 142.0.7444.220 (Official Build) (64-bit)
  {% endhint %}

## Switching to the External Bluetooth Dongle

### **Step 1:** Plug the USB Bluetooth dongle into a USB port.

This allows the Chromebook to detect an external Bluetooth adapter.

### **Step 2:** Open Chrome and type *chrome://flags* in the address bar.

This page contains experimental system settings, including Bluetooth stack options.

<figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2FoqUQTra3JfizJcqRlZMH%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2009.04.29.png?alt=media&amp;token=3c3ed501-f2ac-4969-bd57-76d593dacf89" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2FzSA8gAo6smkmZYVqjPEU%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2009.09.04.png?alt=media&amp;token=04db3d84-e66a-4713-9bfb-d853a5f3230e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Step 3:** Find the flag **“Use Floss instead of BlueZ”.**

Floss is the newer Bluetooth stack; disabling it forces the system to fall back to BlueZ, which works better with external dongles.

<figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2FeKm2XuHxPZis4cJDOH5E%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2014.34.19.png?alt=media&amp;token=4d7cc069-c3a1-4df3-bdc8-8ffccacc4b5c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Step 4:** Set this flag to **Disable**.

Disabling the flag ensures ChromeOS won’t override the external adapter with Floss.

<figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2Feuf4CrhjZfstHHx2O0Im%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2014.34.42.png?alt=media&amp;token=c6000f99-e025-41b7-8910-183aa69531a7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Step 5:** Click **Reset** to reboot the Chromebook.

A restart is required for the Bluetooth system to reload with the new configuration.

<figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2FxVcxwOhSPCTunji7kkA5%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2014.34.49.png?alt=media&amp;token=6b0aa042-e6d0-4735-964c-58cf9f7086fb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Step 6:** After a restart, open the Bluetooth menu near the clock.

This lets you confirm the Bluetooth system is active and ready to detect hardware.

### **Step 7:** Turn Bluetooth **off**, then **on** again.

Toggling Bluetooth forces ChromeOS to reinitialize the adapter list.

<div><figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2FmAvdUN10U98RpPkNGuAn%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2014.55.47.png?alt=media&amp;token=fa818799-0ab0-4592-8ae7-e99a88619138" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2FVfVwNPHIzWiki9DN7wlU%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2012.25.59.png?alt=media&amp;token=42f00355-d685-4c87-a865-c6f16ebcdbea" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="warning" %}
If the dongle does not activate immediately, try restarting the Chromebook again.\
Some ARM-based Chromebooks require an additional reboot before switching fully to the external Bluetooth adapter.
{% endhint %}

### **Step 8:** Click **“Pair new device”.**

Your dongle should begin glowing blue, indicating it has started scanning for Bluetooth devices. This confirms that the external dongle is now the default Bluetooth adapter.

<figure><img src="https://4278716273-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M7HfF1vPVVRPdEjUgtA%2Fuploads%2FCRWkPfG8mo89oPZxhj15%2FScreenshot%202025-12-08%2012.25.59.png?alt=media&amp;token=192011d4-babb-47d2-b093-7fa16e847aa2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## **Switch Back to the Internal Bluetooth Module**

1. Unplug the Bluetooth dongle from the USB port.
2. Restart your Chromebook.
3. Open the Bluetooth menu near the clock.
4. Turn Bluetooth **off**, then **on** again.
5. Click **“Pair new device”.**

Your Chromebook will automatically return to the internal Bluetooth module if it is functioning properly.