(SOLVED) - Error: "The device does not have the necessary services" when using bluetooth to browse files on Galaxy S7 Edge

How do I get the "necessary services" on my Galaxy S7 Edge phone using Android Marshmallow so I can use bluetooth to browse and transfer files between my Macbook Pro and my phone?

The error message "The device does not have the necessary services" shows up after I click the "Browse" button on the "Browse Device" window after selecting my phone as the Bluetooth device.


Solution 1:

Even if it should be part of the Android OS, looks like the OBEX FTP service is not included.

I searched the Play Store and there is at least one program that allows for browsing from a paired device (in this case my Mac) and it's: Bluetooth File Transfer (that also works as a client).

Remember to go into the app settings to select which folder will be used as a root for the server, otherwise it's set to /store/emulated/0

Solution 2:

I found a way to do this on rawinfopages.com.
Thank you guys!

  1. System Preferences > Sharing
  2. Select Bluetooth Sharing to see the settings
  3. You can do what you want here. I changed to "Ask What to Do" for both when receiving items and when other devices browse
  4. Tick Bluetooth Sharing to turn the service on
  5. Then you're set to share from your phone over bluetooth to your Mac, following instructions on screen

Worked for me 2020 March 7 (Happy Women's Day :) transferring from a Galaxy S6 to macOS Catalina 😍.

I was also getting the same error message "The device does not have the necessary services" before doing the above and sucessfully transferring a photo :)

all the best
Dave