Improving BLE Connection Speed in an Android App
Optimising an Android BLE app by removing delays in the connection workflow.
Sometimes software meets the functional requirement but does not offer the best user experience.
In this case, the Android app connected reliably to the client’s Bluetooth Low Energy sensor device, but the connection step felt slower than users expected.
The way the scan was handled created a delay that made the app less efficient to use, so improving this became a priority.
Challenge
Device discovery was linked to a fixed-length BLE scan, and the app waited for the entire scan to finish before showing any results. This approach ensured consistent operation but also meant users waited longer than necessary when the sensor was detected early in the scan.
The goal was to reduce this delay without changing the underlying BLE workflow or affecting the reliability of device detection.
Project Overview
Our client asked us to review the app after users reported slow search and connection times. We looked at how the full connection workflow operated to understand where the delay was introduced and whether it came from the design or the implementation. The review revealed that the process could be made faster without altering the core functionality.
With that confirmed, we could focus on making the app react as soon as a device was discovered.
Action
We carried out a code review to understand the logic behind the connection workflow. The design choice to wait for a full scan cycle before displaying results was identified as the key bottleneck. We modified the application so that devices appeared in the list immediately as they were discovered, with the list updating in real time. Since the required sensor device was typically detected within seconds, users could now select it and initiate a connection straight away rather than waiting for the full scan to complete.
OUTCOME
The updated application dramatically improved the connection process, allowing users to connect to their BLE sensor device within seconds. The fix transformed the user experience from slow and frustrating into fast, efficient, and responsive. This change not only enhanced day-to-day usability but also made the product more attractive to end-users, reducing barriers to adoption and improving overall satisfaction.
TECHNOLOGIES & SERVICES INVOLVED
- Android App (Java)
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Software, Industrial
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