How to connect a keyboard to an Android tablet (detailed description of the setup). Algorithm for connecting an external keyboard to a tablet. Is it possible to connect a keyboard to a tablet?
Tablet computers are abundantly available in the digital technology market. Samsung, Acer, Prestigio, Huawei, Asus, Chuwi, Irbis, Dexp, Texet, Iwork, iPad pro– and, quite possibly, a new company has already appeared in Asian countries. “Tablets” have firmly taken their place in the life of the modern generation. Reading books, games, the Internet, various programs and this is an incomplete list of the tablet’s capabilities. But let’s imagine a situation where you need to print large text, but you don’t have a laptop or PC at hand. Typing a voluminous document by clicking on the sensor is extremely inconvenient. Let's figure out how to connect a keyboard to a tablet and significantly increase its functionality by using it as a full-fledged monitor.
In order to connect a regular computer keyboard to the “tablet”, there are several ways.
- OTG adapter.
- Bluetooth.
- Branded docking station.
- Wi-Fi.
- IR port
The described methods are successfully suitable for such brands as: Wacom, Perfeo, Exeq Vido, Oysters, Prestigio Multipad, Huawei, Chuwi, Digma, Irbis, teXet, Vertex, Wexler, Mystery, Qumo, Ginzzu, Arnova, Explay, Colorfly, Ainol, Ramos, BQ, FNF, PiPO, Onda, Teclast, Cube, as well as more expensive models: Samsung Galaxy Tab, Lenovo, Sony, Microsoft, Asus, Apple (iPad).
Some of them are not very convenient. The option with an infrared port is hopelessly outdated and will not work on modern devices. Let's look at each in detail.
OTG adapter
One of the most common methods. Let's find out why.
Behind the tricky abbreviation is hidden the well-known cable with the usual USB connector at one end and micro USB on the other.
Be careful! There are also cables with transition to Type - C.
Such adapters are often supplied by manufacturers as standard with the device. Almost all tablets have a micro-USB or Type-C connector. It is often used to charge a gadget.
Please remember that not every device has the USB-Host function. It is this that allows you to exchange data via OTG wire. With it, you can simultaneously connect a wired computer mouse, keyboard, or modem.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth technology has replaced the well-known IR port. Its main advantage is the absence of any wires. The only condition for a trouble-free connection is the presence of a Bluetooth module on your device. To date this module present almost everywhere. Thanks to this, a Bluetooth keyboard connection can be made with almost any mobile or computer device.
- A Bluetooth keyboard can be purchased at a reasonable price (depending on the manufacturer).
- Wireless connection.
- Compatible with other digital equipment.
But there is one significant drawback - high energy consumption. The Bluetooth keyboard itself is powered by several regular batteries. The low cost of such batteries will not hit your pocket hard. The same cannot be said about the energy consumption of the module. During long connection sessions, the tablet's battery will quickly discharge. Alternatively, you can work on constant recharging.
It is worth remembering the guaranteed data transmission range – up to 10 meters. This is quite enough for everyday tasks with documents, surfing the net, and playing games.
Branded docking station
ASUS ZenPad 10 Audio Dock
A very useful, but at the same time extremely expensive tablet attachment. A branded docking station can cost about half the cost of the device itself. It is produced, as the name implies, by the manufacturer, and significantly increases the functionality of the device. Equipped, as a rule, with all known ports.
A big plus is the ability to recharge the tablet from the docking station while working. There is also a touchpad, which laptop devotees are accustomed to. Unlike a keyboard case, the docking station cannot be connected to any gadget. A certain set-top box works with a specific brand of tablet, phone or smartphone.
The average user will not have to struggle with the settings of such a set-top box or installing drivers. This applies to both Android OS and Windows.
The Apple company also has similar stations for both iPhones and iPads, equipped with a Lightning connector. The cost starts from 3000 rub.
Keyboard case
Another option widely presented by the Chinese manufacturer. Differs in versatility. You can connect with almost any Android gadget. But it doesn't differ in quality. Fails quickly.
WiFi connection
One of the rarest ways to synchronize a data input device and a tablet. Of course, if voice dialing If for some reason you are not satisfied with the on-screen keyboard, you can try setting up an external physical one via the Wi-Fi protocol. But it should be remembered that dancing with a tambourine cannot be done here.
Not every user will be able to perform a similar connection procedure. And choosing the appropriate mobile gadget that could connect to peripheral devices via Wi-Fi protocols will not be easy.
It should be noted that every year there are more peripherals with Wi-Fi.
Infrared port
As we already wrote above, this method extremely outdated. You won't be able to play Tanks with it. Even typing a short message will be difficult for an unprepared user. Another downside is the fact that most Android devices (except Xiaomi, Leagoo and other Chinese) have completely abandoned such an interface, just like Windows-based devices.
Possible problems
- Some models do not support OTG, so they simply will not see the connected keyboard; you will have to use other methods or “invent the bike” by reflashing the equipment.
- Logitech has versions tied to a specific manufacturer, for example, Samsung will work as it should, but Huawei will refuse.
- If the connection does not occur, inspect the connector for dirt and damage.
Conclusion
We've looked at five main options for connecting additional equipment to your tablet. Use external device input is much more convenient. All you have to do is choose the one you like the most.
Video
Modern tablets are truly multifunctional devices that can perform almost any task without worse than a computer. Their performance is not inferior to some PCs, and the set of applications allows you to perform any, even the most unusual options. However Some tablets do not have a keyboard to function fully. After all, typing large amounts of text using a touchpad is not always convenient.
To make typing more convenient, you can connect a wireless device to your tablet. wired keyboard. And we'll tell you how to do it.
How to connect a keyboard via bluetooth
The most convenient way to connect your device to an Android tablet is a wireless connection. It provides mobility and comfort of use, allowing the user to avoid unnecessary wires. There are two main methods of wireless connection.
Via external module
Many Bluetooth devices provide communication between devices through special external modules that come included. In order to implement this connection, you will need a USB port. Usually tablets are equipped with such a connector, but there are models without a USB port. In this case, the only solution is to use a mini-USB to USB adapter. It connects to the corresponding connector and turns the mini-USB port into a full-fledged USB connector.
REFERENCE! Tablets often have multiple mini-USB ports, but some models only have one.
In this case, simultaneous connection of the keyboard and the process of charging the device is impossible, since the only connector will be occupied by the connected gadget.
After to USB port the keyboard was connected, the device itself will recognize and configure the gadget.
REFERENCE! On some OSes, for connected devices to function, you need to go to the appropriate settings and allow the use of this particular equipment.
Via internal Bluetooth module
This method is more convenient, since it does not require additional connection with an adapter or the use of any connectors.
In order to make a Bluetooth connection through the internal module on the tablet, both gadgets need to be turned on. Then go to the wireless connection settings and turn on Bluetooth. After this, the search for devices ready to connect will begin. From the list of possible connections, you should select the keyboard model and pair it.
REFERENCE! The system may require a password for switching. This password usually defaults to four ones or zeros.
However, on different models given password may vary. To clarify this information, you should refer to the technical literature that comes with the equipment.
After connection, the keyboard will appear in the list of connected devices and will be ready for use.
Pros and cons of Bluetooth connection
Among the undoubted advantages worth highlighting mobility wireless devices, and also ease of setup and ease of use.
Main minus is possibility of connection loss, and also communication breakdown with increasing distance. Besides, Bluetooth connection reduces the operating time of the gadget without recharging.
Hello.
I think no one will deny that the popularity of tablets has grown greatly in recent years and many users cannot imagine their work without this gadget :).
But tablets (in my opinion) have a significant drawback: if you need to write something longer than 2-3 sentences, then it becomes a real nightmare. To correct this, there are small wireless keyboards on sale that connect via Bluetooth and allow you to close this drawback (and they often even come with a case).
In this article, I wanted to look step by step at how to set up connecting such a keyboard to a tablet. There is nothing complicated in this issue, but as with everything, there are some nuances...
Connecting a keyboard to a tablet (Android)
1) Turn on the keyboard
The wireless keyboard has dedicated buttons for turning on and setting up the connection. They are located either slightly above the keys, or on the side wall of the keyboard (see Fig. 1). The first thing you need to do is turn it on; as a rule, the LEDs should start flashing (or lit).
Rice. 1. Turn on the keyboard (note that the LEDs are lit, i.e. the device is turned on).
2) Setting up Bluetooth on the tablet
In the settings you need to open the section " Wireless networks "and turn on the Bluetooth connection (blue switch in Fig. 2). Then go to Bluetooth settings.
Rice. 2. Setting up Bluetooth on the tablet.
3) Select a device from the available ones...
If your keyboard is turned on (the LEDs on it should be blinking) and the tablet begins to search for devices available for connection, you should see your keyboard in the list (as in Fig. 3). You need to select it and connect.
Rice. 3. Connecting a keyboard.
4) Pairing
The pairing process is establishing a connection between your keyboard and your tablet. As a rule, it takes 10-15 seconds.
Rice. 4. Pairing process.
5) Password for confirmation
The final touch is that you need to enter a password on the keyboard to access the tablet, which you will see on its screen. Please note that after entering these numbers on the keyboard, you need to press Enter.
Rice. 5. Entering the password on the keyboard.
6) Completing the connection
If everything was done correctly and there were no errors, then you will see a message that the bluetooth keyboard is connected (this is wireless keyboard). Now you can open Notepad and type to your heart's content.
Rice. 6. Keyboard connected!
What to do if the tablet does not see the bluetooth keyboard?
1) The most common thing is a dead keyboard battery. Especially if this is your first time trying to connect it to a tablet. Charge the keyboard battery first, and then try connecting it again.
2) Open system requirements and a description of your keyboard. What if it is not supported by Android at all (note also the Android version)?!
3) There are special applications for " Google Play", for example "Russian Keyboard". By installing such an application (it will help when working with non-standard keyboards) it will quickly eliminate compatibility problems and the device will start working as expected...
Connecting a keyboard to a laptop (Windows 10)
In general, you need to connect an additional keyboard to a laptop much less frequently than to a tablet (after all, a laptop has one keyboard :)). But this may be necessary when, for example, the original keyboard is flooded with tea or coffee and some keys do not work well on it. Let's look at how this is done on a laptop.
1) Turn on the keyboard
A similar step as in the first section of this article...
2) Does Bluetooth work?
Very often Bluetooth is not turned on at all on the laptop and the drivers are not installed on it... The easiest way to find out if it works wireless connection- just see if this icon is in the tray (see Fig. 7).
Rice. 7. Bluetooth works...
Delivery of drivers in 1 click:
3) If Bluetooth is turned off (for those who have it working, you can skip this step)
If you have installed (updated) the drivers, then it is not a fact that Bluetooth works for you. The point is that it can be turned off in Windows settings. Let's look at how to enable it in Windows 10.
First, open the START menu and go to settings (see Fig. 8).
Rice. 9. Go to Bluetooth settings.
Then turn on the Bluetooth network (see Fig. 10).
Rice. 14. Checking the seal...
I'll wrap it up here, good luck!
Most Chinese tablets have a touchscreen (screen touch processor) that is resistive, not capacitive, so it only responds to touches of the screen with some pressure.
As a result, typing text on the built-in on-screen keyboard, the user almost has to point his fingers at the touchscreen. Many people get bored with this pretty quickly and decide to buy a keyboard for their tablet.
But connecting an external keyboard to the tablet raises new questions: does it need a driver, how to add a Cyrillic layout, etc.
All these questions will no longer be relevant after installation. "ruKeyboard" for Android
. A program that supports an external (hardware) keyboard and many layouts. You can download the stable version of “ruKeyboard” for Android by clicking on the link. Further customization of the tablet keyboard is discussed using this particular version as an example.
1. After installing ruKeyboard, go to the tablet settings.
2. Find the “Language and Settings” item and check the box next to “ruKeyboard”.
3. Then go to the “ruKeyboard” settings and select “Hardware Keyboard”.
4. Go to “Select a layout” and in the list of available layouts that opens, select “External keyboard”
5. Open any program that has a text input field, such as a browser.
6. Make a long click (click with a delay) on the text input field and select “ruKeyboard” in the “Input Method” menu that appears.
Please note: in the "ruKeyboard" version mentioned here, you can quickly switch the layout by pressing the "Del" key. On most portable keyboards it is located in the upper right corner.
If your Android tablet has Bluetooth support, you can connect to it wireless bluetooth keyboard that you can buy inexpensively
Today I will tell you how you can easily connect a keyboard to Android tablet or smartphone. This can be done in several ways: via a USB OTG cable, network adapter Wi-Fi, IR or Bluetooth. After this, typing will become much easier for you, since many standard key combinations are available when you connect an external keyboard.
Before this, I have already published interesting posts on the topic of connecting various headsets to an Android tablet or smartphone that may interest you:
Connecting a keyboard to Android via USB OTG
To connect a regular wired keyboard to your Android tablet or smartphone, you need to buy an additional USB OTG cable. It costs only a couple of dollars and can be purchased at any electronics store or radio market. On one side there will be a microUSB plug, and on the other there will be a USB connector into which you must connect your wired keyboard.
If your device is not equipped with a USB connector, then you will have to buy an additional adapter with a USB on one end and a connector suitable for your device on the other. You will need to insert a USB OTG cable into it.
How to connect a wireless keyboard to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth
If you want to connect a wireless keyboard, then this is even easier than with a wired headset. Just do it peripheral device visible, turn on Bluetooth on your Android smartphone or tablet, go to settings Bluetooth Android and choose what exactly you want to connect to.
If you have a wireless keyboard with a radio interface, then you won’t be able to do without an OTG adapter. You will need to insert a USB receiver into it and turn on the keyboard.
And in order to use the Russian language when working with the keyboard, you need to download the Russian Keyboard application. The layout can be switched using the key combination Alt + Shift / Space or Shift + Space.
