
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has recently announced the release of the Bluetooth 6.1 specification, a minor revision based on the Bluetooth Core Specification 6.0. This update primarily enhances the privacy and security features of the Bluetooth Random EPA (Extended Privacy Address) mechanism while also improving energy efficiency.
Last year, Bluetooth 6.0 introduced more precise distance measurement capabilities, significantly enhancing device-finding features and improving the user experience with Bluetooth-based digital key authentication through more accurate spatial awareness.
With the incremental upgrade to version 6.1, the specification now incorporates a randomized RPA (Resolvable Private Address) mechanism, allowing Bluetooth device addresses to change at random intervals. This reduces the likelihood of tracking by unauthorized third parties, thereby reinforcing user privacy. At the same time, energy efficiency has been optimized so that frequent address changes do not negatively impact the battery life of Bluetooth-enabled devices.
The Bluetooth SIG also noted a shift in its update cadence—from major version revisions every two years to smaller, semi-annual updates. With this change, the organization will place less emphasis on version numbers in marketing efforts, instead highlighting the specific technologies supported by each release—such as Auracast and other advanced features—thereby moving away from identifying Bluetooth advancements solely by version labels.