For many reasons, I need to connect my earbuds to different computers from time to time. On Mac I can use Alfred + alfred+bluetooth-workflow, so convenient! To get similar experience on Linux, I did the following.
First, install bluez if not already: sudo apt install bluez.
Then find the earbuds address: bluetooth scan on or just do it once using gnome-control-center.
Create a script with content as the following. This tries to connect to the earbuds for at most 5 times, each with 2 seconds timeout.
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#!/usr/bin/env bash
connect () { /usr/bin/bluetoothctl --timeout 2 connect <address> | grep "Failed to connect"; }
END=5
x=$END
while [ $x -gt 0 ]; do
connect
ret=$?
if [ $ret -ne 0 ]; then
break
fi
x=$(($x-1))
done
Put this script somewhere under $PATH and create a keyboard shortcut in gnome-control-center. Then good to go.
It is also possible to use Albert terminal plugin, ~but that opens a new terminal, which is a bit annoying.~ Updated: holding Alt gives more options including running in the background.