The basic steps to pair a Bluetooth keyboard
To connect a Bluetooth keyboard, you put the keyboard into pairing mode, then tell your device to look for it. The exact steps depend on your device type — phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop — but the principle is the same on all of them. Most keyboards pair in under a minute once you know where to look.
Start by turning on the keyboard and finding its pairing button. This is usually a small button on the back or underside, sometimes labeled "Pair" or "Connect". Hold it for three to five seconds until you see a light blink or flash — that means the keyboard is now discoverable. Leave it in this state while you move to your device.
On your device, open the Bluetooth settings. On Windows, this is in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. On Mac, it's System Settings > Bluetooth. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth. On Android, it's Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth or Settings > Bluetooth & device connection > Bluetooth, depending on your phone's manufacturer. Turn Bluetooth on if it isn't already.
Your device will now scan for nearby Bluetooth devices. The keyboard should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds. Tap or click its name, and your device will ask you to confirm the pairing. Select "Pair" or "Connect". Once the keyboard shows as "Connected" in your Bluetooth settings, you're done — start typing to test it.
Key Takeaways
- Put your keyboard into pairing mode by holding its pairing button until the light blinks, then open Bluetooth settings on your device and select the keyboard from the list.
- On Windows, pairing happens in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices; on Mac, it's System Settings > Bluetooth; on phones, it's in the main Bluetooth settings menu.
- The keyboard will show as "Connected" in your Bluetooth settings once pairing is complete, and you can start using it immediately.
- If the keyboard doesn't appear in the list, restart both the keyboard and your device, then try pairing again.
- Most keyboards stay paired to a device after the first connection, so you only need to turn the keyboard on and off to reconnect on future uses.
What to do if the keyboard doesn't appear in the list
If you've held the pairing button but the keyboard still doesn't show up, the keyboard may not be in pairing mode. Try holding the button longer — some keyboards need 10 seconds or more. Check the keyboard's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm the exact button and how long to hold it. Some keyboards use a combination of keys instead of a single button.
If the keyboard still doesn't appear, restart both devices. Turn off the keyboard, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your device's Bluetooth by toggling it off and on in settings. Try the pairing process again. If the keyboard has a low battery, it may not broadcast a strong enough signal — plug it in or replace the batteries and try once more.
Pairing on Windows computers
On Windows 10 and 11, open Settings and go to Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Put your keyboard into pairing mode, then click "Add device" or "Add Bluetooth or other device" at the top of the window. Select "Bluetooth" from the options that appear. Your keyboard should show up in the list within seconds. Click it and follow any on-screen prompts to complete the pairing.
Once paired, the keyboard will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on and your computer's Bluetooth is active. If you need to re-pair the keyboard later, you can remove it from the list by clicking it and selecting "Remove device", then repeat the pairing steps above.
Pairing on Mac computers
On macOS, click the Apple menu and go to System Settings > Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on. Put your keyboard into pairing mode. The keyboard should appear in the list on the left side of the window. Click it and then click "Connect". macOS may ask you to type a code on the keyboard to confirm the pairing — do so and press Enter. The keyboard will then show as "Connected".
On older Macs running macOS Big Sur or earlier, the path is slightly different: Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth. The pairing process is the same. After pairing, the keyboard will reconnect automatically when you turn it on.
Pairing on iPhones and iPads
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on. Put your keyboard into pairing mode. The keyboard will appear in the list of available devices. Tap its name. iOS will ask you to confirm the pairing — tap "Pair". Some keyboards may ask you to type a code on the keyboard itself to confirm; if so, type the code and press Enter.
Once paired, the keyboard will reconnect whenever it's turned on and your iPhone or iPad's Bluetooth is active. You can use the keyboard to type in any app, including email, messages, and web browsers. If you want to unpair the keyboard, go back to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to the keyboard's name, and select "Forget This Device".
Pairing on Android phones and tablets
On Android, the exact path varies by manufacturer, but it's usually Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth or Settings > Bluetooth & device connection > Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth on. Put your keyboard into pairing mode. The keyboard should appear in the list of available devices. Tap its name to pair. Some keyboards will ask you to confirm by typing a code; if so, type it and press Enter.
After pairing, the keyboard will reconnect automatically when turned on. To unpair, go back to Bluetooth settings, find the keyboard in the list, and tap "Forget" or the trash icon next to its name. If your Android device doesn't show a Bluetooth option in Settings, look for "Wireless & networks" or check your device's manual for the correct path.
Troubleshooting common pairing problems
If the keyboard pairs but doesn't type, make sure it's actually selected as the input device. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and confirm the keyboard shows as "Connected". On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and check that the keyboard is listed. On phones and tablets, the keyboard should work automatically once paired, but try turning Bluetooth off and on again if it stops responding.
If the keyboard keeps disconnecting, the battery may be low. Replace the batteries or charge the keyboard if it's rechargeable. Move closer to your device — Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, but walls and interference can reduce it. If the keyboard pairs to one device but you want to use it with another, you'll usually need to unpair it from the first device before pairing it with the second. Some keyboards can pair with multiple devices at once, but this is less common and requires checking the keyboard's manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pair my keyboard every time I use it?
No. Once you pair a keyboard to a device, it stays paired. You just need to turn the keyboard on, and it will reconnect automatically as long as your device's Bluetooth is active. You only need to go through the full pairing process once, or if you want to pair the keyboard with a different device.
Can I use one keyboard with multiple devices?
Some keyboards can pair with multiple devices and switch between them, but most can only connect to one device at a time. Check your keyboard's manual to see if it supports multi-device pairing. If it does, you'll usually press a button or key combination to switch between paired devices. If it doesn't, you'll need to unpair it from one device before pairing it with another.
Why does my keyboard work sometimes but not other times?
This usually means the keyboard's battery is low or dying. Replace the batteries or charge the keyboard. It can also happen if your device's Bluetooth is turned off or if something is blocking the signal between the keyboard and your device. Try moving closer to your device and turning Bluetooth off and on again.
What if I forgot which device my keyboard is paired with?
Put the keyboard into pairing mode and check which device it appears on in the Bluetooth settings. That's the device it's currently paired with. If you want to pair it with a different device, unpair it from the current one first, then pair it with the new device.
Does the keyboard need to be charged or have batteries to pair?
Yes. The keyboard needs power to turn on and enter pairing mode. If it's battery-powered, make sure the batteries are installed and have charge. If it's rechargeable, plug it in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before trying to pair it.