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No—the Galaxy S26 Ultra did not restore Bluetooth to its S Pen. Samsung says the included pen does not use Bluetooth, pair with the phone, or need charging. It still works as an integrated stylus, but Bluetooth-dependent features such as Air Actions and remote camera control are not available.
What “no Bluetooth” means in practice
The S Pen has two different jobs that are easy to conflate. Its on-screen stylus functions rely on the phone’s digitizer: the display detects the pen so you can write, draw, hover, and use supported pen commands. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), by contrast, lets a compatible pen communicate with the phone from a distance. Samsung ties pairing, charging, and remote S Pen functions to that wireless connection.
The S26 Ultra keeps the first set and omits the second. Samsung’s S26 Ultra S Pen support page says the pen does not support Bluetooth, so there is no pairing or charging step. Its BLE guidance identifies the wireless features that require a compatible Bluetooth S Pen.
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What still works
The S26 Ultra’s S Pen remains useful for everyday stylus work, including handwriting, drawing, hovering over supported interface elements, and using on-screen tools. Samsung highlights functions such as Samsung Notes, AI Select, Translate, and Air Command in its device-specific guide. Availability and labels for individual tools can vary with software version, region, app, and account setup.
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- Compatibility:The S Pen Only Compatible for Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G All Versions.SM-S938B, SM-S938B/DS, SM-S938U, SM-S938U1, SM-S938W, SM-S938N, SM-S9380, SM-S938E, SM-S938E/DS
- Product Feature: 1.5mm Pen Tip, 4096 level pressure sensing, precise strokes, creating pressure free. You can use it to sketch or doodle, as you like.
- Use: You can take quick notes, draw or edit with all the other typical touch screens.
- Wonderful Shading Experience: A sharper pen tip and an improved design let you approach the screen at a perfect angle for ultra-precise tilting,shading.
- Package Includes:1 * S Pen for Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The pen button is not simply dead: it can still trigger supported on-screen functions when used near the display. What it cannot do is send a Bluetooth command from across a room.
One naming distinction matters: Air Command is not Air Actions. Air Command is the on-screen menu of S Pen tools. Air Actions are remote controls sent over Bluetooth. Seeing Air Command on the phone does not mean wireless gestures are supported.
What the S26 Ultra no longer offers through its S Pen
- Air Actions and remote gestures: The pen cannot send wireless commands while you hold it away from the screen.
- Remote camera shutter: Clicking the S Pen button from a distance cannot take a photo.
- Bluetooth-based media or presentation controls: Remote functions that depend on the pen’s BLE connection are unavailable.
- Pairing and charging: There is no Bluetooth pairing process or rechargeable S Pen battery to top up inside the phone.
This is not a setting you have missed. Samsung’s S Pen compatibility information lists the S26 Ultra among models without BLE S Pen functionality. Samsung also says BLE-related troubleshooting, including S Pen reset, is unavailable for models without that support; see its S Pen troubleshooting guidance.
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- PRECISION MEETS STYLE: Use S Pen on your Galaxy Tab S9 FE with precision and control; Whether jotting notes, sketching or navigating your device, S Pen feels natural, is sensitive to pressure and is the ultimate tool for unleashing your creativity
- EASY TO CARRY, EASIER TO STORE: With IP68-certified water resistance, S Pen is ready for any outdoor adventure*; When not in use, attach it with a snap to the S Pen magnetic holder on the tablet, as it stays ready for your next bright idea
- HOVER. CLICK. GO: Pull up Air Command at the click of a button and personalize your S Pen actions; Simply hover S Pen over the screen and press the button to access features such as Smart Select, Screen Write, Live Messages and more
- COMPATIBILITY: Samsung S9 Galaxy Tab FE S Pen is compatible with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablet (sold separately)
How it compares with older Ultra phones
For owners of Bluetooth-equipped models such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra, this is a real loss of functionality if they used Air Actions, the camera shutter, or other remote controls. Samsung’s compatibility information distinguishes those Bluetooth-capable pens from the S26 Ultra’s Bluetooth-free pen. The S26 Ultra preserves the integrated writing experience, but it does not offer feature-for-feature continuity for the S Pen’s wireless remote role.
That difference matters most if the S Pen is part of how you take group photos, control a presentation, or manage media from a distance. If you mainly use it for notes, markup, drawing, text selection, or on-screen shortcuts, the missing Bluetooth layer is less consequential.
Can an older S Pen or the S Pen Pro bring Air Actions back?
There is no officially verified workaround that restores Air Actions on the S26 Ultra. A Bluetooth-capable pen on its own cannot establish that the phone supports the BLE workflow it needs; inserting an older pen does not add wireless support to the handset. Samsung’s documentation does not provide a method for enabling S26 Ultra Air Actions with another pen.
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- Greate Quality : Brand New High Quality Stylus Pen (Without Bluetooth) .Before shippment, we will check every point include :the appearance ,touch , color and function to make sure that you got a High-Quality Satisfied Product
- Take Note :It also work for Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra 5G. The Stylus Pen （Without Bluetooth） Can't use pen to control Bluetooth functions such as taking photos of mobile phone (please pay attention when purchasing)
- Hight Sensitivity:4096 levels of pressure sensitivity.Precise touch and control, support all menu functions.Perfect replacement. The Pen allows you to make quick notes, draw or edit along with all other typical touch-screen commands
- What in the Package : 1 Pen + 5 black tips,1 Tweezer
Samsung identifies the S Pen Pro as Bluetooth-capable for certain supported devices, but that is not confirmation that its remote controls work with the S26 Ultra. Do not buy an older S Pen or S Pen Pro on the assumption that it will restore the missing features. If this is the deciding factor, ask Samsung to confirm compatibility for your exact phone model and software version before purchasing.
Likewise, the absence of a Bluetooth option is not a sign that your S26 Ultra pen is defective, and repeatedly looking for a pairing or reset control will not change the device’s documented BLE limitations. A future software change should not be assumed unless Samsung announces support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Alternatives for remote control
- Remote photography: Use a Bluetooth camera shutter remote or a tripod with a remote. A smartwatch may also offer camera control, but support depends on the phone, watch, camera app, and region—check the exact combination before relying on it.
- Presentations: Consider a dedicated Bluetooth presentation remote or use controls on the laptop or tablet running the presentation. A watch or third-party app is an option only if the relevant software explicitly supports the setup.
- Writing and drawing: Keep using the S26 Ultra’s included S Pen. A Bluetooth pen does not improve the basic on-screen writing experience.
If Air Actions are essential and you want them built into the S Pen, consider a Bluetooth-equipped older Ultra instead, such as an S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra. Check the seller, condition, warranty, and current availability; older-model prices and stock vary, so there is no reliable universal price to quote.
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- BE READY FOR INSPIRATION: Jot down notes effortlessly and sketch with precision, thanks to the 0.7mm fine tip of Galaxy S24 Ultra S Pen¹; Transform your device into a versatile hub for your creativity and go beyond pen and paper
- CONTROL YOUR PHONE TOUCH-FREE: Air actions transform your S Pen into a remote control for your Galaxy S24 Ultra²; With a flick of your pen, control your tunes and effortlessly glide through photos without touching your screen
- SEAMLESS CONTROL WITH A CLICK AND A TAP: With Air Command, quickly access your favorite apps and S Pen features in a convenient collapsible menu; Add or remove shortcuts based on your preferences – it’s just a tap away
- DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra S Pen is compatible for use with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone
Who should choose the S26 Ultra?
It remains a sensible fit if you want Samsung’s current Ultra phone and primarily use the S Pen to write, draw, annotate, or work with on-screen tools. Samsung’s U.S. launch announcement listed general availability beginning March 11, 2026, and a U.S. starting price of $1,299.99 before trade-in; price and availability vary by market and promotion.
Think twice if remote shutter control, Air Actions, or presentation gestures are a major reason you buy an Ultra. In that case, the S26 Ultra’s S Pen is not a substitute for the Bluetooth-equipped experience on older models, and a separate remote may be an extra device you would rather not carry.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSamsung also notes that the S26 Ultra S Pen is not compatible with the standard Galaxy S26 or S26+. If you need a replacement for the Ultra, Samsung says replacements are available through Samsung.com; that replacement does not add Bluetooth.
Why did Samsung remove Bluetooth?
Samsung’s support documentation establishes what the S26 Ultra S Pen supports, but it does not establish the company’s reason for the change. Claims that Samsung removed BLE to save space or cost, improve reliability, or because few people used Air Actions are speculation unless Samsung confirms them. The practical result is clear without guessing at the motive: the pen no longer needs Bluetooth pairing or charging, but it also cannot serve as a wireless remote.
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