- A
The tablet will not be able to pair with the printer due to version mismatch.
Why wrong: Bluetooth is backward compatible; pairing is possible between different versions.
- B
The connection will operate at Bluetooth 5.0 speeds and range.
Why wrong: The connection operates at the lowest common version, so Bluetooth 2.1's limitations apply.
- C
The tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities.
Backward compatibility ensures they connect, but the older device's version dictates the connection parameters.
- D
The printer must be upgraded to Bluetooth 4.0 to work with the tablet.
Why wrong: No upgrade is needed; Bluetooth 2.1 devices work with newer versions.
Question 120 of 1,020
Bluetooth Backward Compatibility Between Versions
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device connection methods. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is deploying a fleet of tablets for field workers who need to print invoices on a Bluetooth printer. The tablets are Android-based and support Bluetooth 5.0. The printer is an older model supporting Bluetooth 2.1. Which of the following is true about the compatibility between these devices?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities. This is because Bluetooth is designed with full backward compatibility across versions, meaning a Bluetooth 5.0 host can discover, pair, and communicate with a legacy Bluetooth 2.1 peripheral, but the entire link must negotiate down to the lowest common denominator—the older device’s supported feature set. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that backward compatibility does not mean the newer device’s enhanced range, speed, or data throughput will be available; instead, the connection is limited by the older version’s specifications. A common trap is assuming the devices won’t connect at all or that the newer device will somehow “upgrade” the older one. To remember this, think of it like a highway: a sports car (Bluetooth 5.0) can drive on an old dirt road (Bluetooth 2.1), but it must slow down to the road’s speed limit.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities.
Bluetooth is backward compatible, meaning a Bluetooth 5.0 device can connect to a Bluetooth 2.1 device. When paired, the connection negotiates the highest common version, which is Bluetooth 2.1. Therefore, the tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities, including its speed, range, and power consumption profile.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The tablet will not be able to pair with the printer due to version mismatch.
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth is backward compatible; pairing is possible between different versions.
- ✗
The connection will operate at Bluetooth 5.0 speeds and range.
Why it's wrong here
The connection operates at the lowest common version, so Bluetooth 2.1's limitations apply.
- ✓
The tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities.
Why this is correct
Backward compatibility ensures they connect, but the older device's version dictates the connection parameters.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The printer must be upgraded to Bluetooth 4.0 to work with the tablet.
Why it's wrong here
No upgrade is needed; Bluetooth 2.1 devices work with newer versions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In CompTIA A+ exams, a common pitfall is assuming that newer Bluetooth versions are not backward compatible, leading candidates to incorrectly select version mismatch as a reason for failure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
During the Bluetooth pairing process, the Link Manager Protocol (LMP) negotiates features and version support, automatically selecting the highest common version. For example, Bluetooth 5.0's LE Coded PHY (125 kbps to 2 Mbps) and 2 Mbps PHY are unavailable when connecting to a Bluetooth 2.1 device, which only supports Basic Rate (BR) at 1 Mbps. In real-world scenarios, this means field workers may experience slower data transfer and shorter effective range when printing invoices, but the connection remains functional.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Connection Methods — This question tests Mobile Device Connection Methods — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities. — Bluetooth is backward compatible, meaning a Bluetooth 5.0 device can connect to a Bluetooth 2.1 device. When paired, the connection negotiates the highest common version, which is Bluetooth 2.1. Therefore, the tablet and printer will connect but only at Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities, including its speed, range, and power consumption profile.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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