Use an Android phone as a Windows shortcut keypad

Before you start

Turn on Bluetooth and keep the Android app open. Some phones lack the required HID Device capability even when they connect to Bluetooth headphones.

Check the policy for a managed PC. A connection that needs no receiver installation still requires permission to connect and use a Bluetooth input device.

How to do it

1. Open the connection controls

   Choose Connect computer on the phone. Select Windows under Pairing guide to see the Windows instructions. Read Shortcut keys and use Change if it names Mac; the guide selection and actual shortcut convention are separate controls.

2. Pair from Windows

   Choose Make discoverable on the phone and accept Android’s prompt. On the PC, follow Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth. The app also suggests Show more devices if the phone is missing. Choose the phone and confirm the pairing requests.

3. Check ordinary letters first

   Open an empty text document on Windows and send a few letters from Keyboard. Then select sample text and test Copy and Paste. Inspect the result to distinguish connection problems from application focus or shortcut mapping.

4. Edit one shortcut button

   In Buttons, choose Edit and open an existing button or empty slot. In Tap, use Add step → Key press to configure a combination, name it clearly and choose Save, then Done to leave Edit. For example, test Ctrl plus F in an application where it opens Find. Review the result before adding other commands.

5. Organise the working set

   Group Copy, Paste, Undo and Find on the first page. Use Settings → Profiles & preset packs → Save current deck as profile before loading another setup: Load replaces the live deck.

Match the command to the application

The Windows starter deck includes familiar actions such as Copy, Paste, Undo, Save and Find, plus Redo with Ctrl plus Y and Search with Win plus S. Those are key sequences, not a guarantee that every PC has the same configuration. A host may have remapped, disabled or reassigned them.

For an app-specific deck, use the shortcuts assigned in that application on your PC. The same Ctrl combination can mean different things in two programs. Name buttons for their purpose and test with the relevant window focused.

Combine pointing and shortcuts

Mouse provides pointer movement, clicks and a scrolling strip. Tools → Trackpad + Keys combines pointing and direct keys. These basic input tools are free, so you can establish compatibility before considering paid controls.

Tools → Numpad and Jog / Scrub provide other input surfaces. The active application interprets their actions; the phone does not read a spreadsheet cell or video timeline. Test navigation or repeated input in a temporary example.

Check text and timing before adding macros

Text macros use a US ASCII mapping; the Windows layout or input method can change punctuation. A Delay separates steps by time rather than confirming a window has loaded. Start with short, observable sequences.

The free tier supports one page with up to 12 buttons and all macro step types. More pages and the 4 × 5 grid require Pro. Purchase availability, prices and any trial eligibility are shown by Google Play in the app.