Use Android as a BLE MIDI Host Server

MIDIHub can turn your Android device into a BLE MIDI host server. This allows other BLE-capable devices like iPads, iPhones, computers, and keyboards to discover and connect to your Android device wirelessly.

When to Use BLE Host Mode

Use this feature when you want:

Your iPad or iPhone to send MIDI to Android apps
Your computer’s DAW to control Android synthesizers
Multiple devices to connect to your Android as a central hub
Wireless MIDI without network configuration

Setting Up BLE Host Server

1. Enable BLE Host in MIDIHub

Open MIDIHub and tap the device selector
Toggle on “BLE Host”
Your Android device is now broadcasting as a BLE MIDI server
The service name will typically be your device name or “MIDIHub BLE”

2. Connect from Your External Device

From iOS (iPad/iPhone):

Open your MIDI app’s settings
Look for Bluetooth MIDI devices
Select the MIDIHub BLE service
Tap Connect

From macOS:

Open Audio MIDI Setup
Click the Bluetooth icon
Find and connect to MIDIHub BLE

From Windows:

Use a BLE MIDI tool like MIDIberry
Scan for devices
Connect to MIDIHub BLE

From other MIDI devices:

Put the device in BLE client/central mode
Scan for available hosts
Select MIDIHub from the list

3. Verify the Connection

Once a device connects:

Tap the BLE Host device in the port overview to see currently connected devices
Open the log view to confirm MIDI data is flowing

4. Route the MIDI Data

Swipe from the BLE input to route incoming MIDI:

To virtual outputs - Send to Android music apps
To USB devices - Forward to hardware synths
To RTP-MIDI - Bridge to network sessions
To other BLE devices - Create complex wireless setups

Video Tutorial

Watch how to use Android as a BLE MIDI Server:

Managing Multiple Connections

MIDIHub’s BLE Host can handle multiple simultaneous connections.

Tips for Best Performance

Power Management

Disable battery optimization for MIDIHub
Keep screen on for initial setup
BLE is designed for low power - battery impact is minimal

Connection Stability

Keep devices within 10 meters for best results
Minimize interference from other 2.4GHz devices
Save your routing as a Preset for quick recovery

First-Time Setup

Some devices need you to “forget” and re-pair after first connection
iOS devices may require you to confirm the connection in Settings
Windows may need additional BLE MIDI bridge software

Common Scenarios

iPad to Android Synth Apps

Enable BLE Host in MIDIHub
Connect from iPad’s MIDI app
Route BLE input to virtual output
Select that virtual port in your Android synth

Computer DAW to Android

Enable BLE Host
Connect from computer’s MIDI settings
Route to multiple virtual outputs
Control several Android apps from your DAW

Wireless MIDI Keyboard Hub

Connect keyboard to another device
That device connects to Android BLE Host
Android routes to USB interfaces or apps
Creates a wireless MIDI distribution center

Connect MIDIHub to MIDIHub

Enable BLE Host on one Android device
Open MIDIHub on the second Android device
Connect to the first device’s BLE Host
Route MIDI between two Android devices wirelessly

Troubleshooting

Device Can’t Find BLE Host

Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on Android
Toggle BLE Host off and on
Restart Bluetooth on both devices
Check if another app is using Bluetooth MIDI

Connection Drops Frequently

Move devices closer together
Check for interference (WiFi routers, microwaves)
Disable power saving features
Update to latest MIDIHub version

No MIDI Data Flow

Verify connection in port list
Check log view for activity
Ensure correct routing (swipe from input to output)
Test with simple note messages first

Next Steps

Learn about connecting to BLE devices as a client
Set up RTP-MIDI for network MIDI
Create custom rules for MIDI processing