Do I need a USB Bluetooth dongle to use ToyControl
A USB Bluetooth dongle is only needed if your computer has no working Bluetooth. Here is how to tell, and what to look for.
A USB Bluetooth dongle is a small adapter that adds Bluetooth to a computer that does not have it, or that has a weak version of it. Many ToyControl users never need one. Some do. Here is how to tell.
The short answer
If your computer already pairs with Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth mouse without trouble, you do not need a dongle. If it has no Bluetooth at all, or its Bluetooth is unreliable, a dongle is a cheap fix.
When you need one
- A desktop PC with no Bluetooth. Many desktop towers ship without it. Laptops almost always have it built in.
- Old or flaky built-in Bluetooth. If your toy keeps dropping the connection mid-session, the computer's Bluetooth may be the weak link. A modern dongle often fixes it. See My toy keeps disconnecting.
- Running several toys at once. Some older Bluetooth chips struggle past one or two devices. A better adapter helps.
How to check what you have
On Windows, open Settings and look for a Bluetooth section. If there is none, you have no Bluetooth. On a Mac, look in the menu bar or System Settings. If Bluetooth is there and your other Bluetooth gear works, you are set.
What to look for in a dongle
- Bluetooth 4.0 or newer. Anything sold today qualifies, and this is the version that supports low-energy devices like interactive toys.
- A small adapter that plugs straight into a USB port. Avoid running it through an unpowered hub.
- On Windows, if the computer already has weak built-in Bluetooth, it sometimes helps to switch the built-in one off so the dongle is the only one in use.
For specific picks, see The best USB Bluetooth dongles for desktops.
The other option
If you would rather not deal with Bluetooth at all, a WiFi toy skips it entirely. A Bluetooth toy like a Lovense Lush needs a working adapter; a WiFi toy does not. See Bluetooth vs WiFi sex toys.
Disclosure
ToyControl earns a commission when you buy through links in this article. We only recommend products we have tested or that the community consistently confirms work with ToyControl. Our recommendations are not affected by commission rates. If a product we link to does not work as described, use the Report a bug button in the app and we will revise the article.