Busting out long sessions using the tiny touch keyboard of your Android gadget can be dull and this has been a major hindrance to why they have not pack over computers and laptops as productiveness devices . But what if you could get the best of both worlds and use your computer keyboard on your Android phone or lozenge ? Well , in this article , we take a look at exactly that and how to do so .
1. Use PC Keyboard on Android via Bluetooth
If you own a keyboard that confirm Bluetooth , then this should be a no - brainer . We recommend $ 25Logitech K40since it ’s compatible with both Android and iOS .
To get begin , might ON your Bluetooth keyboard . Next , on your Android machine , open up Bluetooth preference from the preferences app and you should see your Bluetooth keyboard there . Just tap the name of your keyboard , wait for it to get connected and you ’re good to go .
It does n’t get more commodious than this with wirelessly typing from your keyboard on your phone or tab and although the range and speeds will depend on the Bluetooth technology your keyboard or machine is using , rotational latency should be minimum .
Pros : Quick hassle - free connectionNo extra software system requiredFully wireless connecter
Cons : Will not operate with any other keyboard that does n’t have Bluetooth
Verdict : Typing with Bluetooth keyboards on your Android works seamlessly with a very agile set - up or connector time . If you have a Bluetooth keyboard or are look for unruffled experience , definitely go with a Bluetooth keyboard and the good part : No strings(wires ) attached !
2. Use PC Keyboard on Android via USB OTG
Well , what if you do not have a Bluetooth keyboard at mitt and do not desire to buy an expensive Modern keyboard ?
This method acting works with any even keyboard as long as it link up to your computing machine via USB , but it does require you have anOTG or On - The - Go cable . tie in the OTG cable’s length to your smartphone or tablet and on the other end , plug away in your keyboard and you ’re all set ! This even work with wireless keyboards which link up via a USB receiver but be prepared to have a dangle OTG transmission line always plugged into your phone .
Although the process is not as commodious as a wireless Bluetooth one , using a wired connectedness gives you an excellent typing experience with no latency at all .
Pros : Works with almost all keyboardsNo rotational latency
con : Requires an extra OTG cableWired connection
Verdict : If you are looking for a smooth typing experience with your current keyboard and do n’t have too much money to shell out , an OTG cable television is a gaudy option which can provide you on the button what you are front for .
3. Use PC Keyboard on Android via Chrome Extension
If the hardware is n’t for you , there ’s always the power of software . Clipbrdis a Chrome extension which uses the net to synchronise over a universal clipboard giving you an overall proportionate workflow between your phone and computer .
scan : Best Clipboard Manager for Windows
To use Clipbrd , you need to install theextension on Chromeon your PC / Mac and download thefree app on your phone from the Play Store . Just put it up with your email i d and forget it ! Clipbrd works in the background and anything and everything you copy on any machine is also available on any other twist running Clipbrd . And if you are concerned about secrecy , Clipbrd uses AES-256 to cypher all your clipboard .
The main mantra of this telephone extension or app is that you work on your computer not worrying about not suffer your work on your phone , and not to refer the convenience it offers for replicate links from your phone to your figurer or vice - versa .
Another such extension : Snapcopy
Quick Tip : you’re able to even work on your estimator using Google Docs or Google Keep and get it synchronise over all your devices through the respective apps or simply any web browser app ( this works with iOS too ) .
Pros : WirelessGreat for moving school text filing cabinet to and fro between your phone / tablet and computerWorks with Windows / Mac / Linux and laptops too
Cons : Limited to ChromeHave to keep the wing / app running always
Verdict : Although this might seem a little bit gimmicky , if you have a MacBook or a laptop and you love typing on its keyboard , this might be the best gratis alternative for you . Also , you’re able to not fence with how this connects together your phone and computer , which is an add up bonus .
4. Use PC Keyboard on Android via Apps
talk about software , there are stand - alone apps which are a circle more powerful than extensions which allow you to type and even control your Android from your electronic computer . Here are some of the apps we advocate to do so .
4.1 DeskDock Pro
DeskDockhas been around for a while now and was one of the first Android apps to pop the question to use your computer keyboard on your earpiece or tablet . The app does fare with a irksome apparatus operation , so crumple up .
Although there is a demonstration free version of the app on the Play Store , it does n’t on the dot allow you to use your keyboard on your telephone set ; so you have to spend around $ 6 to download the app on your telephone set . We have done adetailed article on how to use DeskDockto partake in your computer mouse and keyboard , but in a nutshell , you have to set up the app on your Android and its server program on your computer(Mac/ Windows/ Linux ) and you also have to link up your twist with a USB cable system to your computer .
Yes the price might be a little too high and set up process is n’t a picnic , but the amount DeskDock take to the table make it all deserving it . DeskDock basically urinate your Android twist another screen / presentation along with your reckoner , which you may control with your keyboard as well as mouse . take off from a universal clipboard and drag and drop to the ability to connect more than one headphone / pad of paper makes DeskDock the coolheaded app on this lean . You know what ’s cool ? Customisable keyboard cutoff to control your telephone . DeskDock has that too .
pro : operate your phone using both your keyboard and mouseShared clipboardSupport for multiple phone at onceCustomisable shortcuts
Cons : Tedious apparatus procedureHigh PriceWired connexion
Read : Best GIF Keyboard Apps for Android
4.2 Remote Keyboard
If you are not convinced by DeskDock ’s features and its price , Remote Keyboardis a great alternative which work just as well and is also completely gratuitous .
exchangeable to the previous app , Remote Keyboard comes with an Android app but you also want to install a telnet client on your information processing system and set everything up is a similar recollective process . But a great thing about Remote Keyboard is that it supports wireless connection over a internet along with USB and ADB .
For a telnet node , you may either use Windows ’ built - in telnet node or a third party one likePuTTY . We recommend PuTTY and will show you how to set it up with Remote Keyboard .
After instal the Remote Keyboard app and granting it permission , you should see a port number and an IP address on your earphone screen .
spread PuTTY and enter the IP speech and porthole bit and you should be connect . Although Remote Keyboard is n’t as rich in features as DeskDock , it ’s a free app that gets the business done pretty well .
pro : Supports connection over WiFiUniversal clipboardCompletely free
Cons : The computer needs to be onLong set up process
4.3 Bonus App: Samsung SideSync
If you own a Samsung smartphone or tablet , then you ’re in lot because Samsung already has such an app for free with which you’re able to control your Samsung twist from your computer . Samsung Sidesyncis uncommitted for both Windows and Mac and that ’s the only app you ’ll be call for , you do not have to put in anything spare on your phone .
Sidesync supports both wireless(over the same web ) and USB connectivity alternative and the cognitive operation is surprisingly simple ; just open up Sidesync on your computer and link your phone , that ’s it ! It offers unseamed connectivity with transferring files , icon and texts with prosperous dragging and dropping and you may even receive phone calls on your electronic computer if you need to .
Verdict : This selection is for citizenry who enjoy working more on their computer as a whole and can do so while controlling their phone from the same keyboard .
4.4 Keyboard Apps
Last but not least , we have several full - size keyboard apps on the Google Play Store that can replicate a computer keyboard and give you its functionality from your phone itself . Some that we can recommend isHacker ’s KeyboardandProgrammer Keyboard , both of which sport a full - size keyboard layout with pointer winder , part keys and also a numpad .
But after all , these are screen keyboard and long sessions on these are definitely not enjoyable , thus we do not recommend them instead of a physical keyboard . However , if you utilise your phone for SSH or even for some light put on , it ’s good to know that you could get away by using this instead of an actual keyboard , as most other Android keyboard apps do not have Esc , Ctrl or affair keys .
pro : Full - size keyboard within the telephone set itself
Cons : impracticable for productiveness
finding of fact : You never know when you could be in that dire berth where you demand that mapping key to be used on your phone / tablet , so it ’s honorable to be safe than sorry . Also if you do not mind type at a screen and are used to a electronic computer keyboard layout , these apps extend you on the nose that with the punctuation symbols where you ’d expect them ; and all of this while just staying as an app in your earpiece .
Wrapping Up: Use PC Keyboard on Android
If you have a keyboard which you require to expend with your Android gadget just link it with your phone / pad using the most commodious path uncommitted ( Bluetooth / OTG ) . If you want to work on your phone from your computer , Chrome lengthiness or standalone apps will fulfill the chore while the latter giving you more customisability and control of your sound . And if you do not have a keyboard with you ( maybe in an emergency brake ) but you need it to be used on your phone / lozenge , hold back out the full - size keyboard apps on the Play Store .
