---
layout: page
title: "Bluetooth Tracker"
description: "Instructions for integrating bluetooth tracking within Home Assistant."
date: 2016-04-10 17:24
sidebar: true
comments: false
sharing: true
footer: true
logo: bluetooth.png
ha_category: Presence Detection
ha_iot_class: "Local Poll"
ha_release: 0.18
---

This tracker discovers new devices on boot and tracks bluetooth devices periodically based on interval_seconds value. It is not required to pair the devices with each other! 
Devices discovered are stored with 'bt_' as the prefix for device mac addresses in `known_devices.yaml`.

<p class='note'>
Requires PyBluez. If you are on Raspbian, make sure you first install `bluetooth` and `libbluetooth-dev` by running `sudo apt install bluetooth libbluetooth-dev`
</p>

To use the Bluetooth tracker in your installation, add the following to your `configuration.yaml` file:

```yaml
device_tracker:
  platform: bluetooth_tracker
```

In some cases it can be that your device is not discovered. In that case let your phone scan for BT devices while you restart HA. Just hit Scan on your phone all the time until HA is fully restarted and the device should appear in `known_devices.yaml`.

For additional configuration variables check the [Device tracker page](/components/device_tracker/).