The basic steps work the same way on most devices

Connecting a Bluetooth keyboard starts with turning on the keyboard's power switch, then opening your device's Bluetooth settings and selecting the keyboard from the list of available devices. Most keyboards pair on the first try and stay connected until you turn them off. The exact steps differ slightly between Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android, but the core process — power on, search, select, confirm — is identical across all of them.

Before you start, check that your keyboard has a power switch and that it has batteries installed (or is charged if it's rechargeable). Some keyboards have a dedicated Bluetooth button you need to hold down to enter pairing mode; others pair automatically when turned on. Check your keyboard's manual or the manufacturer's website if you're unsure.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on your Bluetooth keyboard and hold down its pairing button (usually on the back or bottom) for three to five seconds until a light blinks.
  • Open Bluetooth settings on your device, search for available devices, and select your keyboard's name from the list.
  • Some keyboards require you to type a four-digit code on the keyboard itself to confirm the connection.
  • Once paired, your keyboard will reconnect automatically whenever it's turned on and in range, without repeating the pairing steps.
  • If pairing fails, restart both the keyboard and your device, then try again from the beginning.

How to pair on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open the Settings app and go to Bluetooth & devices (or Devices > Bluetooth in older Windows versions). Click "Add device" at the top, then select "Bluetooth" from the menu. Your computer will search for nearby devices. Hold down your keyboard's pairing button until its light blinks, then wait for the keyboard to appear in the list on your screen.

Click the keyboard's name when it appears. Windows may ask you to type a four-digit code on the keyboard to confirm — if so, type the numbers shown on your screen using the keyboard itself, then press Enter. Once the keyboard shows as "Connected," you're done. Test it by clicking in a text box and typing a few characters.

How to pair on Mac

Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Hold down your keyboard's pairing button until its light blinks, then wait for the keyboard to appear in the Bluetooth devices list.

Click "Connect" next to the keyboard's name. Mac may ask you to type a four-digit code on the keyboard — if so, type the numbers shown on your screen and press Enter. The keyboard will show as "Connected" once pairing is complete. You can now use it to type in any application.

How to pair on iPhone and iPad

Open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Hold down your keyboard's pairing button until its light blinks, then wait for the keyboard to appear under "Other Devices" in the Bluetooth list.

Tap the keyboard's name. Your device may ask you to type a four-digit code on the keyboard — type the numbers shown on your screen and press Enter. Once the keyboard shows as "Connected," you can use it to type in Mail, Notes, web browsers, and most other apps. Some apps may not support external keyboards.

How to pair on Android

Open Settings and go to Connected devices or Bluetooth (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap "Pair new device" or the plus icon. Hold down your keyboard's pairing button until its light blinks, then wait for the keyboard to appear in the list.

Tap the keyboard's name. Your phone may ask you to type a four-digit code on the keyboard — type the numbers shown on your screen and press Enter. Once the keyboard shows as "Connected," you can use it to type in any app that accepts text input. Some apps may not support external keyboards.

What to do if pairing fails or the keyboard won't connect

If the keyboard doesn't appear in the device list, make sure the keyboard is powered on and its pairing button is held down for at least three to five seconds. Some keyboards have a separate power switch and a pairing button — both must be on. If the light on the keyboard isn't blinking, the pairing mode isn't active.

If the keyboard appears but won't connect, or if you see an error message, restart both the keyboard and your device, then try pairing again from the beginning. Turn off the keyboard completely, wait ten seconds, then turn it back on. On your device, go back to Bluetooth settings, forget the keyboard if it's listed there, and search for it again. If the keyboard still won't pair, check the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting steps specific to your model.

If your keyboard was previously paired to a different device, it may try to reconnect to that device instead of pairing with a new one. Consult your keyboard's manual for how to clear its pairing history, or try pairing it to the new device while the old device's Bluetooth is turned off.

How to disconnect or forget a Bluetooth keyboard

To temporarily disconnect without unpairing, simply turn off the keyboard. It will reconnect automatically the next time you turn it on and it's in range.

To permanently unpair the keyboard so it won't reconnect, go to your device's Bluetooth settings, find the keyboard in the list of paired devices, and select "Forget," "Remove," or "Unpair" (the exact wording depends on your device). Once forgotten, the keyboard will no longer connect automatically. You'll need to pair it again if you want to use it with that device in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my keyboard keep disconnecting?

Bluetooth keyboards disconnect when they run out of battery, go out of range (usually beyond 30 feet), or when your device's Bluetooth is turned off. Check the keyboard's battery level first — most keyboards have a low-battery indicator light. If the battery is fine, move closer to your device and make sure Bluetooth is still on. If disconnections continue, restart both devices and re-pair them.

Do I have to pair my keyboard every time I use it?

No. Once paired, your keyboard will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on and it's in range of your device. You only pair once. If you want to use the same keyboard with multiple devices, you'll need to pair it separately to each one, but it will remember all of them and switch between them automatically.

Can I use the same Bluetooth keyboard with multiple devices at once?

Most Bluetooth keyboards can pair with multiple devices, but they can only connect to one device at a time. You can switch which device the keyboard is connected to by turning it off and on again, or by using a keyboard button or app to switch between paired devices (if your keyboard supports this feature). Check your keyboard's manual to see if it has a multi-device mode.

What if my device doesn't have Bluetooth?

Older computers and some tablets don't have built-in Bluetooth. You can add Bluetooth to a desktop computer by plugging in a USB Bluetooth adapter (a small dongle that costs $10 to $30). Plug it into an available USB port, install any drivers if prompted, then pair your keyboard using the same steps as above.

Is my keyboard compatible with my device?

Most modern Bluetooth keyboards work with any device that has Bluetooth — Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android all use the same Bluetooth standard. Check your keyboard's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it supports your specific device type. Some gaming keyboards or specialty keyboards may have limited compatibility.