How to Identify Unknown Bluetooth Devices in Windows 11?

Win 11 23H2 build 22361.2715
When adding a device (Bluetooth in this case) some devices show as "Unknown Device" followed by a string of numbers and letters. For example "co228d8c7dac".
Is there a way to identify this type of anonymous device?
Thank you.

Depends. You'd need access to the device, but yeah, it should have that information somewhere in the device's interface, provided it has one. If it has no interface, like a tracker, then it may be printed on the device.

If you don't recognize the device, don't connect to it. If you're already connecting to said device, check all your current BT devices and see if it matches. If not, remove it.

If you later figure out what device it is and need it connected, you can always re-connect it.

There's a very old program by Nirsoft called Bluetoothview that still works though the oui.txt list is old. It doesn't install so you run from the .exe folder. You can copy the oui text and paste into notepad. Takes a little bit of time. Save as oui.txt and place into the Bluetooth viewer's folder. It might give you some helpful info. If no good for your usage then simply delete it.

These "numbers" are the MAC address (network address) of the unknown Bluetooth device. I have also seen that in my Android smartphone when searching for Bluetooth devices to connect. If the signal of the device is too weak, the device cannot properly identify itself so you see only the MAC address of it. Trying to connect to such device it will probably fail due to weak signal. While the device signal becomes stronger you will see its MAC address is replaced by the device name (such as "JBL Go" for my speaker) on the list. Some devices have a timeout and after this expires they are no longer discoverable. In most speakers and other devices there is a BT button which you press for a few seconds to go back in discoverable mode. For earpods, simply put them back in the charging case for a couple of seconds and they will go back in discoverable mode. For best results wait until the computer or smartphone quits searching for devices, make the device you want to connect discoverable and immediately search again. I have also seen that one or two devices might be hard to reconnect. If you cannot connect them after 2-3 attempts, it is best to just unpair them (remove from the known devices) and try to connect them again.

I thought that too - except the original post had a letter "o" in it. If it were a "0", though, it makes more sense.

Also, BT is supposedly a short-range wireless so anything within range can be picked up such as cellphones, mice, keyboards, etc. I have a device show as only numbers and finally figured out after eliminating known devices that it is my wife's cpap/breathing device.

I didn't know a CPAP device comes with BT connection. Mine is too old...

If it's a MAC address then you would use the numbers and lookup online using a tool like MAC Address Vendor Lookup | MAC Address Lookup who the manufacturer is based on the MAC address which should give you a hint what specific device it is.

No need to, most probably is the neighbor's smartphone or tablet which is too far to properly identify.

spapakons said:

I didn't know a CPAP device comes with BT connection. Mine is too old...

Click to expand...

It even uses a 4GB SDHC card.