Connecting a Keychron keyboard to your phone, tablet, or computer takes about five minutes and works the same way across all Keychron models

Keychron keyboards ship in wired mode by default. To use them wirelessly, you need to switch them to Bluetooth mode, put them in pairing mode, then select them from your device's Bluetooth settings. The physical steps are the same whether you own a Keychron K2, K8, K10, or any other model — the only difference is which key combination you press.

This guide walks you through the pairing process step by step, explains what to do if your keyboard won't show up, and covers the most common mistakes that prevent a successful connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Keychron keyboards arrive in wired mode and must be switched to Bluetooth mode using the physical switch on the back or bottom of the device.
  • Once in Bluetooth mode, hold Fn + Q (or Fn + 1, 2, or 3 depending on your model) for three seconds to enter pairing mode — the keyboard will flash a light to confirm.
  • Open your device's Bluetooth settings, find the keyboard in the list of available devices, and tap or click to pair.
  • If the keyboard does not appear in Bluetooth settings, try restarting both the keyboard and the device you are pairing with.
  • A Keychron keyboard can be paired to multiple devices but can only connect to one at a time — switch between them using the Fn + number key combination.

Switch your keyboard from wired to Bluetooth mode

The first step is to move the physical switch on your Keychron keyboard from wired to wireless. This switch is located on the back or bottom of the keyboard, depending on the model. Look for a small toggle or slider labeled with a USB symbol on one side and a Bluetooth symbol on the other.

Slide or flip the switch toward the Bluetooth symbol. You should see a light on the keyboard turn on or change color — this confirms the keyboard is now in Bluetooth mode and ready to pair. If no light appears, check that the keyboard is charged or plugged in, since Bluetooth mode requires power.

Put the keyboard into pairing mode

With the keyboard in Bluetooth mode, you now need to enter pairing mode so your device can find it. The key combination depends on which Keychron model you own, but the process is the same: hold down Fn plus a number key for three seconds until the keyboard's light flashes rapidly.

For most Keychron models (K2, K3, K4, K6, K8, K10, K14), hold Fn + Q for three seconds. For some older models, the combination is Fn + 1, Fn + 2, or Fn + 3 depending on which Bluetooth slot you want to use. Check the manual that came with your keyboard or the Keychron website if you are unsure which combination applies to your model.

When you hold the correct key combination, the keyboard's light will flash quickly — usually white or blue. This flashing means the keyboard is now broadcasting its Bluetooth signal and waiting for a device to connect to it. This pairing mode lasts about two minutes, so move to the next step right away.

Find and select the keyboard in your device's Bluetooth settings

Open the Bluetooth settings on the device you want to connect — a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. The exact path depends on your device, but you are looking for a menu that shows available Bluetooth devices.

On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth and wait for the list to populate. On an Android phone, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth and tap the search or scan button. On a Windows computer, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Bluetooth and wait for devices to appear. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and look for your keyboard in the list.

You should see your Keychron keyboard appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. It will be labeled with the model name — for example, "Keychron K2" or "Keychron K8 Pro". Tap or click on it to pair. Some devices will ask you to confirm the pairing; if so, select yes or confirm.

Once paired, the keyboard's light will stop flashing and stay solid, and you should be able to type on your device. The pairing is now complete.

Switch between multiple paired devices

Keychron keyboards can be paired to up to three devices at once, though they can only connect to one device at a time. If you have already paired your keyboard to one device and want to switch to another, you do not need to pair it again — just use the Fn key combination to switch between slots.

Hold Fn + 1 to connect to the first paired device, Fn + 2 for the second, and Fn + 3 for the third. The keyboard will disconnect from the current device and connect to the one you selected. This takes a few seconds, and the keyboard's light may flash briefly during the switch.

If you want to pair a keyboard to a completely new device and you have already used all three slots, you will need to unpair it from one of the existing devices first. On the device you want to remove, go to Bluetooth settings, find the keyboard in the list of paired devices, and select forget or unpair. Then follow the pairing steps above to add the new device.

Troubleshoot if the keyboard does not appear in Bluetooth settings

If you have held Fn + Q for three seconds and the keyboard's light is flashing, but the keyboard still does not show up in your device's Bluetooth settings, try these steps in order.

First, restart the keyboard. Switch it back to wired mode for a few seconds, then switch it back to Bluetooth mode. This resets the Bluetooth connection and often solves the problem. Then enter pairing mode again by holding Fn + Q for three seconds.

Second, restart the device you are trying to pair with. Turn off Bluetooth completely, wait ten seconds, then turn it back on. This clears any stuck connections and gives your device a fresh start. Then check the Bluetooth settings again — the keyboard should appear within a few seconds of entering pairing mode.

Third, check that the keyboard is charged. Bluetooth mode requires power, and a low battery can prevent the keyboard from broadcasting its signal. If the keyboard is wireless-only (no USB cable), plug it in to charge for at least 30 minutes. If it has a USB cable, plug it in directly to the device you are pairing with and try again.

If the keyboard still does not appear after these steps, the Bluetooth chip may be faulty. Contact Keychron support with the model number and serial number of your keyboard — you can find these on the back of the device or in the original packaging.

Common mistakes that prevent pairing

The most common reason a Keychron keyboard will not pair is that it is still in wired mode. Check the physical switch on the back or bottom of the keyboard and make sure it is set to Bluetooth, not USB. A keyboard in wired mode will not broadcast a Bluetooth signal no matter how many times you press Fn + Q.

The second most common mistake is not holding Fn + Q long enough. You must hold both keys down for a full three seconds — one or two seconds is not enough to enter pairing mode. Count to three slowly while holding the keys, and watch for the light to flash rapidly before you release.

A third mistake is trying to pair while the keyboard is already connected to another device. If the keyboard is currently connected to your phone, it will not pair with your computer at the same time. Disconnect it from the phone first by going to that device's Bluetooth settings and selecting forget, then try pairing with the computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Keychron keyboard wired and wireless at the same time?

No. A Keychron keyboard is either in wired mode or Bluetooth mode, not both. If you want to use it wired, flip the switch to USB mode. If you want to use it wireless, flip the switch to Bluetooth mode. You cannot have it connected via USB cable and Bluetooth at the same time.

Why does my keyboard keep disconnecting from Bluetooth?

The most common cause is that the keyboard's battery is low. Bluetooth connections drop when power is weak. Plug the keyboard in to charge for at least an hour. If disconnections continue after a full charge, try unpairing the keyboard from your device and pairing it again from scratch — sometimes a stale connection causes repeated drops.

Can I pair my Keychron keyboard to my iPad and iPhone at the same time?

Yes, you can pair it to both devices, but it will only connect to one at a time. Use Fn + 1 to switch between them. When you press Fn + 1, the keyboard disconnects from whichever device it is currently connected to and connects to the other one.

What should I do if I forgot which Bluetooth slot I used for which device?

Try Fn + 1, Fn + 2, and Fn + 3 in order and see which device the keyboard connects to with each combination. Once you figure out which slot is which, write it down or take a photo of your notes so you remember next time.

Does my Keychron keyboard need to be charged to pair via Bluetooth?

Yes. Bluetooth mode requires power, so the keyboard must have enough battery to broadcast its signal. If the keyboard is completely dead, plug it in to charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to pair. Wired mode does not require a charge — the keyboard draws power from the USB cable.