How to add Bluetooth to an old stereo

Plug a Bluetooth receiver into a free input on the stereo, such as AUX, TAPE or CD, and pair your phone with it. Here you need a receiver (it takes sound in), the opposite of the transmitter used for TV headphones. Don’t use the PHONO input.

Gold-plated RCA audio plugs on a wooden table

Yes. You need a converter.

What you need

Bluetooth receiver Look for: Bluetooth audio receiver with RCA output $15–$35, needs USB or wall power
RCA stereo audio cable Look for: Red/white RCA male to male $5–$10

Connect it like this

PhoneBluetooth
Bluetooth receiverBluetooth in, RCA stereo audio out. Needs power.
RCA stereo audio cable
Old stereoRCA stereo audio in

What to know

Difficulty: Easy
Cost: About $20–$45 if you buy everything new
Sound: Good. Bluetooth compresses the audio a little
Lag: Some. Noticeable in fast games or lip-sync
Extra power: Yes, the converter needs USB or wall power

Why this works

Bluetooth is digital and RCA stereo audio is analog. A plain cable can’t bridge that. A powered Bluetooth receiver translates the signal.

Before you buy

Direction matters. You need Bluetooth in and RCA stereo audio out. The Bluetooth transmitter looks almost identical but works the other way. Check that the box says “Bluetooth audio receiver with RCA output”.

Good to know

iPhone 15 and newer (USB-C) can send video. Many Android phones cannot; check your model’s specs for "DisplayPort output".

Your gear a little different? Answer a couple of questions about your own ports.

Check my exact setup