Q: What is Sonim BLE Connect?

A: Sonim BLE Connect is a SCOUT feature that allows Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) accessories to be compatible with Sonim phones. It also enables Bluetooth (BT) Push-to-Talk (PTT) accessories to work seamlessly with several PTT apps.

 

Q: How is Sonim BLE Connect accessed?

A: Sonim BLE Connect can be accessed from Sonim SCOUT > Utilities > Sonim BLE Connect.

 

Q: What are the prerequisites to using this feature?

A: Ensure phone Bluetooth is turned ON and location permission has been accepted in order to use the Sonim BLE Connect feature.

 

Q: How can I make sure I’m always using the latest version of BLE Connect?

A: Sonim BLE Connect app can be updated via App Updater for XP3 and XP5s devices (SCOUT > Setup > App Updater > Check for updates). Use the Google Play™ store to update the application on XP8 by searching for “Sonim BLE Connect”.

 

Q: Which BLE accessories are supported by Sonim BLE Connect?

A:

Table 1: Native and non-native accessories

Sl No.Device NameNativeNon-native
1Blue Parrott B350-XTYesNo
2Blue Parrott B450-XTYesNo
3Blue Parrott C400-XTYesNo
4Blue Parrott S450-XTYesNo
5Blue Parrott B550-XTYesNo
6Blue Parrott C300-XTYesNo
7AINA Voice RecorderYesNo
8AINA Smart ButtonNoYes
9Klein Blu PTT ButtonNoYes
10Pryme BLENoYes

 

 

 

 

 

Q: How do I pair an accessory with Sonim BLE Connect?

A: Ensure phone Bluetooth is turned ON.

If accessory is listed under Native accessories in Table 1: Native and non-native accessories:

  1. Ensure the Accessory is powered on and in pairing mode
  2. Navigate to Phone Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth > + Pair new device
  3. Select the accessory from list of Available devices
  4. Pair the device by clicking on PAIR option
  5. Once paired, the accessory will be listed under Paired devices
  6. Navigate to Sonim SCOUT > Utilities > Sonim BLE Connect. Sonim BLE Connect will scan for nearby BLE devices (within ~10 meters).
    1. If not listed, use the Overflow menu > Refresh to refresh the main screen.
  7. Once detected Sonim BLE Connect will list the accessory in the Sonim BLE Connect main screen.
  8. Select the accessory to connect.

 

If accessory is listed under Non-Native accessories in Table 1: Native and non-native accessories:

  1. Ensure the Accessory is powered on and in pairing mode
  2. Navigate to Sonim SCOUT > Utilities > Sonim BLE Connect. Sonim BLE Connect will scan for nearby BLE devices (within ~10 meters). Once detected Sonim BLE Connect will list them in the main screen.
    1. If not listed, use the Overflow menu > Refresh to refresh the main screen.
    2. If accessory is not being listed after a Refresh, ensure that the non-native device is NOT paired under Phone Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth. If paired, have the accessory disconnect from device Bluetooth
  3. Once detected Sonim BLE Connect will list the accessory in the Sonim BLE Connect main screen.
  4. Select the accessory to connect.

 

Q: My BLE device is not listed under Sonim BLE Connect. Why?

A: Ensure that the BLE accessory is one of the supported BLE accessories. (Refer to Table 1: Native and non-native accessories). Refer to Q: How do I pair an accessory with Sonim BLE Connect?

 

Q: How are “Native” accessories connected? I don’t see them listed in the app.

A: Native accessories (as listed in Table 1: Native and non-native accessories) are first connected using standard Android Bluetooth pairing before the accessory can be listed in Sonim BLE Connect.

 

Q: How are “Non-native” accessories connected?

A: Non-native accessories (as listed in Table 1: Native and non-native accessories) are listed immediately in Sonim BLE Connect and can be directly connected through the BLE Connect feature. No need to connect with Android Bluetooth.

Q: Why are native and non-native BLE devices connected differently with Sonim BLE Connect?

A: Some accessories have the relevant interfaces that allow for Sonim BLE Connect to connect to the accessory without first connecting to the phone via Bluetooth System settings.

 

Q: My device went out-of-range, how do I auto-reconnect to BLE Connect?

A: The accessory should auto-reconnect to BLE Connect.  If BLE Connect does not auto-reconnect with the accessory, open SCOUT > Utilities > BLE Connect and select the accessory from the list.

 

Q: Does Sonim BLE Connect support PTT applications?

A: Yes, Sonim BLE Connect supports PTT applications. BLE Connect passes Accessory button presses to corresponding PTT application.

 

Q: Would the PTT application partners need to do any specific customizations to work with new BLE PTT accessories?

A: No additional development is not needed from current PTT App Partners to support new BLE PTT accessories.

 

Q: Which PTT applications does Sonim BLE Connect support?

A: If a PTT application works with the PTT button on the phone, then all of the supported accessories listed in Table 1 will work with that application via BLE Connect.

 

Q: “Unable to communicate with BT accessory” popup is being displayed. Why?

A: At times the accessory may go out of communication mode when the device is overloaded with connections or when a previous connection was not disconnected correctly. To resolve the issue, remove the accessory from the paired list of BT System Settings and Sonim BLE Connect by selecting ‘FORGET’ from the dialog options. Freshly pair the accessory and retry.

 

  1. BLE Connect shows that the accessory is connected but the button functionality is not working.
  2. It is likely that the accessory was not completely connected. Reset the phone’s Bluetooth by turning it OFF and switching it back ON and reconnect the accessory.