How to Connect Bluetooth Keyboards to Android Phones and Tablets

There are some activities you want to do on mobile, and you discover that your regular built-in virtual keyboard just wouldn’t give you the flexibility and efficiency required, and so, you want to find a way to attach a physical keyboard.

Well, yeah, most tablets come standard with external keyboards, but for typical Android smartphones? Nah, they are not by default, built to use external keyboards – if you have to connect one, you have to go through a process.

The good thing is, modern Android versions (from Android 8.0 upwards) have built-in support for Bluetooth Human Interface Devices (HID), meaning you don’t need a third-party app before you can connect and run most Bluetooth devices and peripherals, including an external keyboard. With that said, how then do you connect an external keyboard to your Android phone?

How to Connect Bluetooth Keyboards to Android Phones and Tablets

First things first, your Android device needs to be running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or a later version. If you’re using an older Android device, you may need a third-party application that supports the particular keyboard you’re trying to connect, then use the app to connect the keyboard to your device. For devices running Android 8.0 or later, simply follow the procedure below:

• Step One: Turn on the Bluetooth keyboard and make sure the Bluetooth pairing LED comes on.
• Step Two: Turn on your device’s Bluetooth settings and search for nearby BT peripherals by tapping on “Pair new device.“
• Step Three: Tap on the Bluetooth keyboard’s name when you see it as part of the available BT devices, and select “Pair Device.

Note: Keep the keyboard within 10 meters (33 feet) of your Android device, or else your phone’s Bluetooth may not detect it for pairing. Also, some Bluetooth keyboards may require you to press and hold down certain key combinations, and a dedicated Pair button to enter pairing mode.

On Tablets

Most tablets allow you to connect the keyboard using a cable integrated into the keyboard. However, if you’re pairing a different keyboard (that’s not the one that came with your tablet), then you should follow the same Bluetooth pairing procedure as explained above.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Keyboard Not Pairing: Check if the keyboard is running on its newest firmware, and make sure it’s not too far from the phone.

• Multipoint Pairing: Some premium keyboards support simultaneous connections to multiple devices—use the Easy-Switch dial (e.g., on Logitech K380) to toggle between phone, tablet, or PC.
• External Hub Integration: For wired or USB-based keyboards, consider using a USB OTG adapter to bypass Bluetooth altogether—this can offer lower latency and eliminate pairing issues.

Conclusion

Pairing a Bluetooth keyboard to your Android phone or tablet is quite as simple as pairing your device to your new portable Bluetooth speaker you use for music playback. If you experience any lag or unresponsiveness after pairing the keyboard, check for firmware update and also restart the device the keyboard is connected to. Interestingly, there are many wireless keyboards out there in the market, and a majority use Bluetooth, so you can land yourself a good deal on one.