Some users consider the lack of physical keyboards on modern phones to be a key drawback of models that fit into different price categories. A way to correct this disadvantage is to connect a USB or wireless keyboard, among which there are both full-size gadgets and devices with small dimensions. The process of connecting them, as well as a selection of popular products, is the topic of this material, where we describe in detail how to connect a Bluetooth keyboard on Android, what is needed for this, which devices are best to use and much more.
Method 1. Connection via cable (using OTG).
Many modern (and not so modern) smartphones and tablets support OTG technology, which allows you to connect computer peripherals to these gadgets - a keyboard, mouse, flash drive, external hard drive, printer, etc.
You can find out whether your device supports OTG in its detailed specifications or in one of several special applications, such as USB OTG Checker. If your smartphone or tablet does not support OTG, then you can immediately proceed to method No. 2.
Then there are two options: using a wireless or wired keyboard and mouse.
Method 1A. Wireless keyboard and mouse.
To test the connection, I used a wireless multimedia keyboard + mouse kit from Smartbuy (SBC-220349AG-RW). In this case, a regular OTG cable
, with which I connected
a nano-receiver
, i.e. a universal receiver, similar to a flash drive, which is responsible for communicating with wireless devices.
If your wireless keyboard and mouse have their own receivers, then you will need a special OTG adapter with two USB ports or just a USB hub. This method is also suitable for connecting a wired keyboard and mouse.
Method 1B. Wired keyboard and mouse.
If you want to connect a wired keyboard and mouse, you will need an OTG adapter
with two USB inputs or optional
USB hub
.
I prefer the second option, since the adapters I found do not look very reliable and do not have very good customer ratings. There are special OTG hubs, but the nearest stores did not have them in stock. To be honest, problems can arise with USB hubs, since among the cheap representatives there are a lot of defective ones. However, a USB hub can be useful in other situations.
We connect the OTG cable to the smartphone or tablet, connect the hub to it, and then connect the wired keyboard and mouse to the USB hub.
Step-by-step instruction
Now let's look at how to properly connect a keyboard to a tablet using one of the methods discussed above - via USB, using Bluetooth or using Wi-Fi. Each method has its own characteristics and therefore requires separate consideration.
USB connection
A universal connection method is using a USB connector. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Make sure your tablet supports USB host. This means that the device must have a USB or Micro USB port, as well as the ability to install additional drivers to work with an external device.
- Connect the keyboard and tablet through the socket. If you cannot connect devices directly, use a USB to MicroUSB adapter (officially called OTG cable). Sometimes such a connection is included with the equipment. If you don't have it, you'll have to buy it separately.
- Wait some time until the planetary device installs the necessary software for the equipment to operate.
If the USB keyboard fails to connect automatically, you will have to install the drivers manually. To do this, take the following steps:
- Find and download the Russian Keyboard application on Google Play.
- Enter the tablet settings, and then go to Language and settings.
- Check the box next to the installed program.
- In the software itself, select Hardware keyboard.
- In Switch layout, select the optimal combination of buttons.
- In the Select a layout section, check the External keyboard section.
- Restart your device.
As you can see, connecting a keyboard to a Tablet PC is not a problem. This method is reliable, stable and consumes less energy.
Via Bluetooth
The next question is how to connect a Bluetooth keyboard to the tablet. This option is more attractive from the point of view of mobility, because there are no unnecessary wires, and the system itself is very simple. The main requirement is that the tablet device and keyboard have Bluetooth. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Enable wireless connections on your tablet and keyboard.
- In the settings, in the Bluetooth section, find the desired device and connect to it.
This is a convenient option that allows you to connect devices to each other without the use of wires. Interestingly, there are still keyboards with a radio interface (IR port) on sale. The same procedure applies here as in the case of Bluetooth, so there should be no difficulties.
Via WiFi
When considering the question of which tablets you can connect a keyboard to, we mentioned the option with Wi-Fi. To implement this method, the following conditions must be simultaneously met:
- The connected “keyboard” has a WiFi module installed that matches the standards of the Tablet PC.
- Both devices work without a router. In this case, the tablet must not only have WiFi support, but also have a 3G/4G connection, that is, act as an access point. This is necessary so that in the future you do not depend on the signal range and send commands correctly.
If the above conditions are met, connecting two devices is not difficult. This is done according to the same principle as in the case of Bluetooth.
Mouse and keyboard
Sometimes situations arise when you need to connect a mouse and keyboard to the tablet at the same time. This idea can be realized in two ways:
- Connecting wired peripheral devices via USB or Micro USB smartphone.
- Synchronization of a tablet device and a wireless mouse via Bluetooth.
In the first case, you need a USB splitter if the device is equipped with only one connector. Otherwise, the principle of connection and settings does not differ from what is said above.
Method 2: Connect via Bluetooth.
If your gadget does not support OTG technology, then the keyboard and mouse can be connected via Bluetooth, but, as you understand, you will need special peripherals - a Bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth mouse.
If you have not previously dealt with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, you can easily confuse them with conventional wireless devices that connect to a computer, smartphone or tablet using a nano-receiver [Method 1A].
Well, in this method we will need a Bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth mouse. For testing, I used a Logitech Keyboard 480 keyboard and a SVEN RX-575SW mouse. The pairing keyboard asks for a code that you must enter on it and press Enter. The mouse can operate in several modes, one of which, Bluetooth, is activated by simultaneously pressing all three buttons for a few seconds. If I hadn’t found this activation method on the Internet, I wouldn’t have guessed it in real life. By the way, in reviews of the SVEN RX-575SW mouse, some users write that the mouse does not work smoothly via Bluetooth, which is extremely unpleasant. I confirm...
Problems and solutions
Bluetooth version is not compatible
The only case in which this situation may arise is when the Bluetooth specification of the keyboard is higher than that of the mobile phone, and the gadget for some reason does not provide backward compatibility. If it turns out the other way around - the smartphone uses a newer version of BT, then this usually does not lead to any problems.
An option to correct this situation is to purchase a keyboard with backward compatibility or a less recent version of Bluetooth. A more expensive solution would be to buy a new phone. You can also purchase a modern Bluetooth adapter that connects via USB, but not all manufacturers produce the drivers necessary for the job.
Keyboard cannot be found
It's probably not turned on and you're mistakenly pressing the pairing button instead of the power button. First press “Power”, and only then – “Connect”.
Another common reason is low battery level . You can fix it by inserting a new battery or, if the keyboard supports the corresponding function, by recharging the built-in battery.
Layout does not switch
You can change the input language both through the phone settings, which is inconvenient because you need to perform this action often, and using key combinations. The most common are Ctrl+Space, Alt (left)+Shift, Ctrl+Shift. Some models require you to use Caps Lock or Shift twice quickly.
There are no uniform standards here, so if the tips above do not help, it is best to contact the instructions or the seller.
Users of all modern Android devices, including TV set-top boxes, will be able to connect and configure a wireless input device, be it a mouse, keyboard, graphics tablet, or even MIDI.
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Keyboard settings
If everything is clear with the mouse after connecting, then the keyboard will need adjustment. Once your device is paired, open the notification shade and select Set up a physical keyboard.
You will be prompted to select “Keyboard Layout Settings.” Depending on the operating system and shell, this menu may look different. In the layout settings, select the language you need or two languages, for example, English and Russian. The combination of switching between them may differ on different keyboards, in my case - “CTRL + spacebar”.
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How to control your Android device with a mouse and keyboard
The good thing about gadgets running the Android operating system is that they allow you to choose a control method that suits you in a particular situation to perform various types of tasks. And now we’re not talking about the fact that smartphones and tablets can be controlled using gestures or voice (which, without a doubt, is convenient). What we mean is that you can turn an Android device into an almost full-fledged computer by connecting a keyboard and mouse to it. And now you will learn how to do this.
Android gadgets can be easily controlled using a keyboard and mouse
Troubleshooting
When the device does not display data input correctly, or does not respond correctly to touch or even lags, you must use the following program. External Keyboard Helper Pro is a great assistant for debugging keyboard devices on the Android operating system.
To edit the layout:
- Install this program.
- Go to “Language and input”, on the standard phone settings.
- Set this application to “Default” settings.
- In the program itself, click on the “Russian language” button and go to “Full settings”.
- In "Keyboard Layout" you should edit the selected template to use. There you can set all the usual keyboard shortcuts.
- To edit one of the keys or some combination, click “Add value”. After this, a specific action value is entered on the keyboard.
In addition, the program allows you to set certain combinations that allow you to turn on or swap applications when you press one of the buttons.
How to Connect a Mouse and Keyboard to Android
First, you will need to download a program called DeskDock to your smartphone or tablet. Of course, there is another way (which we'll cover in a moment), but using DeskDock is the fastest, easiest, and most reliable approach. DeskDock has both free and paid versions, but the regular one is enough for our work.
DeskDock turns your Android screen into a full-fledged monitor, allowing you to move the mouse on the gadget's screen and type text using the keyboard. But that's not all. DeskDock allows you to use your device as a second screen, which is very convenient when working. You leave one screen as a working environment, and the second for supporting applications. In this case, in addition to installing the application on your phone or tablet, you will also need to install the version on your PC. Windows, MacOS and Linux operating systems are supported.
DeskDock supports quite a large number of devices
Now, if you are using the version for a smartphone, you will need a mouse and keyboard that work via Bluetooth (if you don’t have those, don’t worry, we’ll tell you what to do below). Turn on your keyboard and mouse and start pairing your devices. Once this is done, you can fine-tune your gadgets in DeskDock. If you want to use an Android device as a second screen, then connect the keyboard and mouse to the computer, and DeskDock on your smartphone/tablet and DeskDock on your PC will connect themselves, organizing a single work area.
Connecting a wireless mouse
When you don’t want to bother with a wired connection, or you need more mobility when operating devices, you can purchase a wireless manipulator, the connection of which is realized via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. In practice, connecting a wireless mouse to a tablet is faster and easier via the Bluetooth channel. Synchronization is performed in the following sequence.
- Enable the Bluetooth function in the device settings.
- Connect an external Bluetooth module to the OTG adapter (if included) or press the corresponding button on the back of the mouse.
- The mobile device system will automatically search for the device. After the name of the found manipulator appears on the screen, you need to click on it with your finger to complete the synchronization process. Some models may require you to enter a PIN code for pairing (see instructions).
The appearance of a familiar mouse cursor on the screen will allow you to control the device via a Bluetooth-synchronized manipulator.
Using a Wi-Fi channel to synchronize a tablet with a mouse is a more demanding method that requires certain conditions to be met. Failure to comply with these requirements leads to incorrect operation or inoperability of the manipulator. The conditions are as follows.
Both devices, tablet and mouse, must be equipped with Wi-Fi modules
And while modern tablets usually have such equipment, a manipulator is more difficult to find. No additional network hardware should be required for the mouse. When synchronizing over Wi-Fi, it is important that the network masks completely match and the IP addresses partially match. The Wi-Fi manipulator must independently process commands and interact with the operating system of the tablet in a compatible format.
How to connect a wired mouse and keyboard to Android
And here is the promised alternative method. True, it will require some financial expenses from you. If you need to connect a wired mouse and keyboard, you will need a special adapter. Namely USB OTG (On-The-Go). We even talked about what else OTG is capable of in a separate article, so we recommend that you read this material and subscribe to the Telegram news channel so as not to miss similar articles in the future.
USB OTG itself is not expensive. In particular, it can be easily found on a well-known Chinese website. But if you don’t want to wait, you can look for it in Russian online stores yourself. In any case, purchasing it will be much cheaper than buying a full-fledged PC. And if you only need to “type and watch videos,” then you can do this on your favorite gadget.
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How to connect a keyboard and mouse to your phone
Modern phones are as powerful as old computers. At the same time, the application store is rich in various kinds of programs and applications that allow you to provide functionality no worse than that of a real PC. And games on smartphones are increasingly reminiscent of games on a computer, both in graphics and gameplay. That is why there is often a need to connect a keyboard and mouse to the phone to make the work more comfortable and the gameplay more convenient and interesting.
No matter how much technology has developed, connecting a keyboard and mouse to a smartphone still remains a rather non-standard process and not all gadgets support control using such devices. That is why, before you start preparing for connection, you should check whether your phone supports such gadgets.
In addition to the keyboard and mouse, some smartphones also support a gamepad, which allows you to enjoy gaming on your phone to a whole new level..
Unified Remote
This product is perhaps the most popular of all that allows you to use your Android phone as a Bluetooth keyboard.
It is available on GooglePlay in two versions, paid and free. But for most users, the free version with fewer functions will be sufficient: it can be downloaded from . In addition, with the help of the application you can use Android not only as a Bluetooth keyboard, but also as a mouse or as a remote control.
To use your Android device as a Bluetooth keyboard, follow these steps:
- Download and run the application on your smartphone.
- The next step will display a window with a link to the program’s home page (www.unifiedremote.com): you will need to follow it from your computer to download and install the server application on it.
- Next will be the main application window, swipe to the right and select “Servers”.
When you have reached this stage, your PC should have the server installed and Bluetooth enabled. Select the name of your computer and return to the main window.
- Then there are two ways to enter text from your phone
- Click on the “Keyboard” item, after which the keys will be displayed.
- Select "BasicInput" to open the touchpad window. In this window, you can control the cursor, like on a laptop, and when you click on the keyboard icon at the bottom left, your keyboard will pop up, which you use when typing SMS. That is, in this mode you can simultaneously control the cursor and enter text, which is very convenient.
Basic ways to connect a keyboard and mouse to a smartphone.
There are two main connection methods:
To connect gadgets to a smartphone via cables, you will need an On-The-Go adapter (aka OTG) and a USB splitter.
The connection process will proceed as follows:
First we need to turn the mini-USB connector on the phone into a full-fledged USB. To do this, we will need an OTG adapter, which will allow us to use a full port on the phone.
REFERENCE! When using an OTG adapter, the user has the opportunity not only to connect various devices via regular USB, but also to launch media files from a regular flash drive, which can also be connected to this connector.
Since there are two connected devices (keyboard and mouse), you will need a special splitter, due to the fact that there is only one connector on the smartphone.
We connect OTG to mini-USB, and a splitter should be connected to the adapter. After this, just connect the keyboard and mouse to the newly formed USB ports and the device is ready to use.
ATTENTION! This method deprives the smartphone of the ability to charge, since there is only one connector on the device, and it will be occupied.
Wireless connection is provided by Bluetooth technology and comes in two types:
If the user connects devices through an external module, then, as in the previous paragraph, you will need to use an OTG adapter. A wireless module from a mouse and keyboard is connected to it, after which the devices are paired and the gadgets are ready for use.
To connect devices via the internal module of the smartphone, you should go to the device settings. Select “Wireless connection settings” - “Bluetooth settings”. Enable this option and start searching for devices. When the desired model is found, pairing is required. It is possible that during switching, the gadget may require a password. It usually comes in four units, but it may vary from model to model. In order to find out the password, go to the manufacturer’s website or use the technical documentation.
REFERENCE! Bluetooth pairing can provide high-quality data transfer only at a distance of up to 8–10 meters. If this distance increases, the quality of communication will be impaired and the user will not be able to control the smartphone using wireless devices.
Keyboard dock for tablets - connection
Docking stations are usually stationary and equipped with a built-in keyboard. At the same time, they serve as a charger and a phone stand. The presence of such functions as a touch screen, camera, audio output, USB ports, connectors for connecting other devices turns a mobile device into an almost full-fledged laptop.
Unlike the keyboard case, the dock version is not a universal device, that is, it cannot be connected to any gadget. The ability to synchronize two devices is provided by the manufacturer, so only specific models of tablets and dock keys can be connected.
To connect a keyboard dock, no settings or driver installation is required - synchronization is performed automatically. Equipped with its own battery, it not only does not consume power, but also extends the battery life of the mobile gadget without recharging.
Useful tips
When connected to a keyboard, the user will have the opportunity not only to type text, but also to use hot keys such as Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Alt+Tab and others.
After turning on the mouse, a cursor will appear on the smartphone screen, which also provides full control as on a computer.
Main connection problems.
The most common malfunction is that the smartphone does not “see” connected devices. There are several reasons and ways to solve this problem.
Controlling a smartphone using a keyboard and mouse is quite simple, but such a connection can cause some inconvenience. First of all, a large number of cables during a wired connection. This problem can only be resolved by making a wireless connection. If gadgets that support Bluetooth are not available, then the problem cannot be solved.
You can also highlight the problem of a rapid decrease in battery charge when connecting devices via Bluetooth. If the devices are connected via an internal module, then the device can simply be charged, which will eliminate this problem. However. If the connection is made through an external module, you will not be able to charge your smartphone, since the only connector will be occupied.
How to connect a keyboard and mouse to an Android smartphone
The Android operating system allows you to use a mouse, keyboard, and even a gamepad (game joystick). And yes, this means that you can attach a regular mouse to your Android smartphone and a mouse pointer will appear on the screen, or connect a keyboard and use it for convenient and fast typing, as well as implement many standard hotkey combinations.
To do all this, we will need: 1- USB OTG (On-The-Go) cable/adapter, which has a USB-A connector on one side, and a Type-C/MicroUSB on the other; 2- If we want to connect two devices, for example, a mouse and a keyboard at the same time, then we will need any USB hub. 3- Actually the keyboard and mouse itself.
Note: to connect two peripheral devices at the same time, the USB input of your smartphone must be at least USB 3.1 version. If the version is lower, then you will be able to connect only one device to choose from.
If you have found or purchased all this, then we connect the OTG to the smartphone, and accordingly connect the hub to the OTG.
Well, we connect our peripherals to the hub, namely the keyboard and mouse.
Great, all that remains is to enjoy the process, because you got the cheapest PC.
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Via Bluetooth
Only suitable if the mouse and keyboard are wireless and have Bluetooth connectivity. With the keyboard, everything is usually simple: put it in search mode, send a connection request through the menu in the phone settings, enter the connection code (on the physical keyboard, not on the screen) - and you’re ready to use it.
There may be difficulties with the mouse. Firstly, you often need to enter a security code confirming that you have the device and no one else is trying to connect. Sometimes this code is written in the mouse instructions or on the manufacturer’s website, sometimes on its back side. Most often, the connection codes are “0000” or “1234”, but they do not always work. Secondly, not all mice can work with Android devices at all. Relatively old mouse models cannot be connected to a mobile device.
