Auto-Connect Settings
The auto-connect feature monitors for nearby paired Bluetooth devices in discovery/pairing mode and automatically initiates connections when they come within range. This is useful for devices that don’t auto-reconnect and require the Kobo to start the connection process.
When to Use Auto-Connect
Use Auto-Connect For
- Devices requiring Kobo-initiated connection - Bluetooth devices that are in discovery, pairing, or broadcasting mode and need the Kobo to initiate the connection
- Devices that don’t auto-reconnect - Devices that disconnect and don’t automatically reconnect when turned back on or when Bluetooth is re-enabled
Use Auto-Detection For
- Devices that auto-reconnect - Some Bluetooth devices (page turners, remotes, keyboards) automatically reconnect when they wake from sleep or when Bluetooth is re-enabled
- Already-connected devices - If your devices already handle reconnection on their own
See Auto-Detection for details on handling devices that auto-reconnect.
Use Dispatcher “Connect to Device” Action For
- On-demand connections - When you want to trigger a connection with a gesture or profile
- Power saving - When you don’t want continuous scanning for nearby devices
See Using Dispatcher to Connect Bluetooth for details on the dispatcher approach.
Settings
Auto-connect to nearby devices
When enabled, the plugin continuously scans for nearby paired Bluetooth devices in discovery/pairing/broadcasting mode. When a paired device comes within range (detected via RSSI signal strength), the plugin automatically initiates a connection to that device.
- Default: Disabled
- When enabled: Continuously scans and monitors RSSI for all paired devices
- Connection initiation: The Kobo (not the device) initiates the connection request
- Notification: Shows a notification when a device is auto-connected
- Requirements: Device must be paired, in discovery/broadcasting mode, and not currently connected
Stop auto-connect after connection
When enabled, auto-connect scanning stops after the first successful device connection. This saves battery and prevents unnecessary scanning if you typically only use one Bluetooth device at a time.
- Default: Enabled
- Only active when: “Auto-connect to nearby devices” is enabled
- Behavior: Scanning automatically resumes when a connected device disconnects or when Bluetooth is toggled off and back on
How It Works
- When Bluetooth is enabled and auto-connect is turned on, the plugin starts scanning for nearby paired devices in discovery/pairing/broadcasting mode
- For each paired device, the plugin monitors the RSSI (signal strength):
- RSSI indicates how strong the wireless signal is from the device
- When a device’s RSSI changes, it means the device has come into range or moved away
- When a paired device with a valid RSSI is detected (in range), the plugin:
- Checks if it’s not already connected
- Verifies it’s in your paired devices list
- Automatically initiates a connection request (the Kobo starts the connection)
- If “Stop auto-connect after connection” is enabled:
- Scanning stops after the first successful connection
- Scanning resumes when that device disconnects
- Scanning also resumes when Bluetooth is toggled off and back on