There are several ways I know of to use a real keyboard to enter text on your mobile device. You can use the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit and a regular USB keyboard, you can use a bluetooth keyboard or you can use your Mac’s keyboard as a bluetooth keyboard.
Nulaxy Rechargeable Bluetooth Keyboard with Magnetic Detachable Leather Cover, Ultra-slim Portable Keyboard for iPad iPhone Apple Phone Samsung Tablets-KM12 Black 4.4 out of 5.
When I heard about this for the first time I asked myself – why would I want to do this? The answer is easy. You are at your Mac and want to quickly answer an SMS. Normally you would have to take the phone and type on its tiny touchscreen. Or you could use a full-sized keyboard to type it. That’s what the following solutions offer, without having to buy a separate keyboard just for typing on your phone. I have to say, I’ve gotten used to it.
I had the chance to test a bluetooth keyboard that is able to switch with a button press between 3 connected devices, as well as two applications that let you use your Mac’s keyboard as a bluetooth keyboard.
1Keyboard
The Mac OS X app 1Keyboard resides in the status bar waiting for you to use it. It can manage multiple devices and assign a shortcut to each device configured. To configure a mobile device you just connect your device with your Mac using the bluetooth settings while 1Keyboard is running.
As soon as the device is connected to the Mac, a dialog is shown to configure the device. When I tried to setup the connection to the iPad I noticed some problems which where solved by an iPad restart, while connecting to an iPhone worked seamlessly. Switching between the Mac and the Phone is just a shortcut away.
The Anker compact keyboard is also compatible with a range of Bluetooth devices including Mac, PC, Windows, iOS and Android. You can use it easily with your iPhone, Mac or an Android phone. Anker has also ensured that it is easy to type on this device with low-profile matte keys with the frame being sturdy to. In just a few steps, you can turn your iPhone (or any iOS device) into a keyboard and mouse to control your computer from a distance. Sharon Profis Jan. 20, 2012 9:18 a.m.
As well as the normal typing functions, 1Keyboard also allows you to control your iDevice’s screen brightness (F1, F2), and volume (F10, F11, F12) directly from your Mac’s keyboard. When the shortcut is hit, a nice overlay shows you the connected devices name and the icon you have configured for it.
1Keyboard is a nice application that is located in the menu bar and doesn’t get in the way, but its there when you need it. Exactly how a great app should be.
Type2Phone
Type2Phone also lets you use your Mac as a Bluetooth keyboard. In comparison to 1Keyboard, Type2Phone is not located in the status bar. It is shown in the Dock as a regular application. Like 1Keyboard, you can configure a keyboard shortcut for each of your connected devices. To activate a device you just switch to the Type2Phone application and all your keyboard input is redirected. The procedure of configuring a new device follows a similar procedure as in 1Keyboard. The phone or tablet has to establish the connection while you have set the application to “Connect to New Device”.
Connect Bluetooth Keyboard To Iphone
Additionally to the brightness settings (F1, F2) and the volume control (F10-F12) a number of additional F-keys have special functions that come in handy on iOS devices.
F3 simulates the Power button
F4 simulates the Home button
F6 simulates the slide to unlock from the lock screen
F8 starts playback, and F7 and F9 go to the next / previous songs
Conclusion for the application solution
Both applications offer extremely fast switching between the Mac and the mobile device to enter text. The preference to stay connected to the device even after switching away makes that possible. Switching with this setting on makes it extremely fast. Both solutions are worth their price. 1Keyboard by Wiener Apps is sold for € 7,89 (first month offer € 5,52) and Type2Phone by Houdah Software is € 4,49 on the Mac App Store.
Logitech K760 bluetooth keyboard
The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K760 keyboard is able to connect to 3 devices and switching between them is a matter of one button press. The keyboard is limited to 3 devices and switching takes a couple of seconds, but once connected it works perfectly with iPhone and iPad. For use with iDevices it has special symbols on some keys to show the iDevice-specific functions like the home button. Except from the home button and volume control I didn’t find any other special buttons. The feel of typing K760 is very close to that of a MacBook’s built-in keyboard.
Summary
Actually this whole article was entirely written on an iPhone and an iPad using the described applications. It was interesting to see my typing on my Mac’s keyboard appearing on my devices.
My advice for users of MacBook’s that need a comfortable way to type on their phone, would be to go with the application solution, unless you need an extra keyboard for your Mac anyway, since the bluetooth keyboard is a great solution as well.
In closing, I want to say thanks to the developers of these great applications for providing me with the opportunity to try them.
Read more of my posts on my blog at http://blog.tinned-software.net/.
Related posts:
We are often caught in a situation where we wish to control our MacBook from our iPhones. Be it a movie night on your cozy couch or music playback at your house party. Not everyone uses those big and expensive Bluetooth speakers but we still always need to have control of the media. So I found just the app that some of you might find really handy as it is all solutions under one name. Let’s see how it works.
Read: How to Use iPhone as Speaker For Mac
Use iPhone as Mouse For Mac
To use the iPhone as a trackpad on your Mac, we’ll use a simple app called Remote Mouse. The app has both free and paid versions which differ in services. Services like mouse controls, app launcher, portrait keyboard are available in the free version. While the landscape keyboard, media controls, and system control are all part of the pro version of the app. But for most parts, you can perform all necessary actions in the free version itself.
Download Remote MouseiOS | macOS(free, $2)
Step 1: Download the apps on both the devices
To use your iPhone to control your Mac you’ll need to install Remote Mouse on both your iPhone as well as Computer. Links are shared above and both the app versions are available natively on the app store.
Step 2: Connect via Wi-Fi
Once you’ve downloaded the apps on both the devices, open the app on your iPhone and look for connections on top of your screen. Initially, it will say ‘Connection Failed’.
Tap on the marked section and you should be able to see your MacBook’s name. Remember to keep both the devices on the same Wi-Fi network. If you still don’t see your device name, launch the macOS app again. Once visible, simply tap on it to connect.
Step 3: Connect via IP address or QR code
If you’re not on a Wi-Fi connection you can simply tap on the ‘+’ sign on the top right corner to explore more options. You’d still need to be on 3G or 4G network though.
Here you may tap on either option. Click on history to connect to the device you have previously connected. Or if you are a new user head to the other options.
To connect the devices via IP address, first head to your macOS application. If the app is launched it’s probably sitting on your menu bar as it has no such interface.
Iphone App Bluetooth Keyboard For Mac
Click on Show IP Address and you’ll see a small pop-up window with the address.
On your iPhone app where you tapped on the ‘+’ sign. Now select the IP address option and insert the IP address shown on your macOS app.
To connect via QR code, click on ‘Show QR code’ on your macOS app. A small pop-up window will appear with a QR code.
On your iPhone app tap on ‘Scan QR code’. Allow the camera permission and scan the QR code on your Mac’s screen.
Step 4: iPhone as track-pad
Once your devices are connected simply open your iPhone app. The empty screen is your trackpad with a scroller on your right and mouse buttons at the bottom. You can move around the cursor, scroll pages and click links via your iPhone itself. You can even make swipe gestures as you do on your Mac’s trackpad.
Read: How to Use iPhone as Wireless Microphone For Mac
Step 5: iPhone as a keyboard
While your devices are connected you can access the keyboard on your iPhone to input data on your MacBook. Just tap on the keyboard sign at the bottom of your iPhone app and a keyboard will pop-up on your screen. If you’re on a paid version you can even use the keyboard in landscape mode.
Bonus Options
Step 6: iPhone as a media controller
On your iPhone app tap on the media button at the bottom to access the media controls for your MacBook. You can play/pause, rewind/forward and control pretty much all basic functions via this remote.
Step 7: iPhone as an app launcher
You can launch almost all the apps on your MacBook that are visible on your launchpad. Click on the app window like icon at the bottom of your iPhone app and you’ll see all the apps on your Mac’s launchpad. Click on any app to launch it on your Mac and navigate through the trackpad and keyboard.
Step 8: Operate Mac’s browser controls via iPhone
Although you already have so much control of your MacBook with the mouse and keyboard controls. But the app on your iPhone gives you furthermore control of your browser by giving you some quick control options in a special tab. Click on the browser tab of your iPhone app to the options. You can access the back button, zoom in / zoom out web pages and even tap on some quick website links that you frequently use.
Step 9: MacBook system controls on your iPhone
As if it wasn’t already more than enough, you can even take control of your Mac’s system controls from your iPhone itself. Meaning that you don’t have to get up from that couch even after the movie is finished. You can Log-off, sleep or even Shut-down your system from your iPhone app itself. It’s a paid feature again, but worth it.
Best Bluetooth Keyboard For Mac
Closing Words
You and I have the same thought right now, this app should probably work on changing its name. It does more than what the name suggests and so I ended up telling you more than I intended to. But these are some gaps between iOS and macOS that most of us were looking forward to filling. Well, go ahead and try the app. Start with the free version and if it proves to be good for you, a $2 purchase will make it even better. As always let us know your thoughts and experience in the comments below.
Use Iphone As Bluetooth Keyboard For Mac
Read: Apps To Use Phone Camera as Web Camera For PC And Mac