How to connect a keyboard and mouse to your phone

Modern phones are as powerful as old computers. At the same time, the application store is rich in various kinds of programs and applications that allow you to provide functionality no worse than that of a real PC. And games on smartphones are increasingly reminiscent of games on a computer, both in graphics and gameplay. That is why there is often a need to connect a keyboard and mouse to the phone to make the work more comfortable and the gameplay more convenient and interesting.

No matter how much technology has developed, connecting a keyboard and mouse to a smartphone still remains a rather non-standard process and not all gadgets support control using such devices. That is why, before you start preparing for connection, you should check whether your phone supports such gadgets.

In addition to the keyboard and mouse, some smartphones also support a gamepad, which allows you to enjoy gaming on your phone to a whole new level..

Basic ways to connect a keyboard and mouse to a smartphone.

There are two main connection methods:

1. Wired.
2. Wireless.

To connect gadgets to a smartphone via cables, you will need an On-The-Go adapter (aka OTG) and a USB splitter.

The connection process will proceed as follows:

First we need to turn the mini-USB connector on the phone into a full-fledged USB.To do this, we will need an OTG adapter, which will allow us to use a full port on the phone.

 REFERENCE! When using an OTG adapter, the user has the opportunity not only to connect various devices via regular USB, but also to launch media files from a regular flash drive, which can also be connected to this connector.

Since there are two connected devices (keyboard and mouse), you will need a special splitter, due to the fact that there is only one connector on the smartphone.

We connect OTG to mini-USB, and a splitter should be connected to the adapter. After this, just connect the keyboard and mouse to the newly formed USB ports and the device is ready to use.

ATTENTION! This method deprives the smartphone of the ability to charge, since there is only one connector on the device, and it will be occupied.

Wireless connection.

Wireless connection is provided by Bluetooth technology and comes in two types:

• When connecting gadgets through its own module
• When connecting gadgets via the Bluetooth module on the phone.

If the user connects devices through an external module, then, as in the previous paragraph, you will need to use an OTG adapter. A wireless module from a mouse and keyboard is connected to it, after which the devices are paired and the gadgets are ready for use.

To connect devices via the internal module of the smartphone, you should go to the device settings. Select “Wireless connection settings” - “Bluetooth settings”. Enable this option and start searching for devices. When the desired model is found, pairing is required. It is possible that during switching, the gadget may require a password.It usually comes in four units, but it may vary from model to model. In order to find out the password, go to the manufacturer’s website or use the technical documentation.

REFERENCE! Bluetooth pairing can provide high-quality data transfer only at a distance of up to 8–10 meters. If this distance increases, the quality of communication will be impaired and the user will not be able to control the smartphone using wireless devices.

Useful tips

When connected to a keyboard, the user will have the opportunity not only to type text, but also to use hot keys such as Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V, Alt+Tab and others.

After turning on the mouse, a cursor will appear on the smartphone screen, which also provides full control as on a computer.

Main connection problems.

The most common malfunction is that the smartphone does not “see” connected devices. There are several reasons and ways to solve this problem.

1. The device does not support connecting additional equipment for control at all. There is no way to fix this problem. Since many smartphones, especially older models, do not support keyboard and mouse controls.
2. The smartphone does not support OTG. Some phone models may indeed not support such an adapter. In this case, you can only connect the keyboard via a wireless connection.
3. The voltage at the mini USB output is not enough to maintain the functionality of two devices or a Bluetooth module. This is a fairly common problem that can be solved by using not a passive, but an active splitter, which has an additional amplification stage.
4. Conclusion

Controlling a smartphone using a keyboard and mouse is quite simple, but such a connection can cause some inconvenience. First of all, a large number of cables during a wired connection. This problem can only be resolved by making a wireless connection. If gadgets that support Bluetooth are not available, then the problem cannot be solved.

You can also highlight the problem of a rapid decrease in battery charge when connecting devices via Bluetooth. If the devices are connected via an internal module, then the device can simply be charged, which will eliminate this problem. However. If the connection is made through an external module, you will not be able to charge your smartphone, since the only connector will be occupied.

It should also be mentioned that many smartphones support connecting not only a keyboard and mouse, but also a full gamepad. The connection process is almost no different, but only requires an adapter, since there is only one device and there is no need to connect a splitter.