Android devices have come a long way, even as far as replacing laptops and desktops for everyday tasks like taking notes. But even now, with all the advancements made, Android phones still lag in one critical area: typing.

I've tried all kinds of alternative keyboards for Android. One of my favorites is Gboard with gestures, but even so, I can type three times faster with a physical keyboard. When you need speed, "thumb typing" isn't enough.

Here's how to connect a physical keyboard to any Android mobile device and turn it into a desktop replacement. The most straightforward option is a USB keyboard, although you may need an accessory you can grab off Amazon for it to work.

Use USB OTG to Connect Your Keyboard

Note that Android devices are thinner than the connection bit of a USB cable—so how does one actually connect a USB keyboard to an Android device? With an adapter called USB On-the-Go (OTG), which comes in several shapes and sizes.

Specifically, you'll need a USB-to-Micro-USB adapter (for older phone models) or a USB-to-USB-C adapter (for newer phone models). Not sure which one you need? Learn all about the different USB cable types and how to identify USB-C cables.

If both your keyboard and Android phone have USB-C, you don't need to purchase an adapter; you can connect them directly.

We recommend Posdou's USB 2.0 Micro USB Male to USB Female OTG Adapter or Basesailor USB-to-USB-C OTG Adapter. If you prefer a cable, you might consider Rankie's Micro USB (Male) to USB 2.0 (Female) Adapter or UGREEN's USB-C to USB 3.1 Adapter (if you have a USB-C Android phone).

Regardless of which kind you get, they all operate the same way: plug the proper side of the cable into your Android device, then plug your USB keyboard into the USB side of the cable to establish a connection.

Setting Up the External USB Keyboard for Android

Once you connect your Android phone to a keyboard, you should take two minutes to set it up properly. It will likely work straight out of the box, so this step isn't strictly necessary—but it won't take long, and you might as well tweak it to your liking from the start:

  1. Navigate to your device Settings.
  2. Tap on System.
  3. Tap on Languages & input.
  4. Tap on Physical keyboard.
  5. Under the Physical keyboard settings page, tap on your keyboard's name and select Set up keyboard layouts from the pop-up. On the next page, choose a keyboard layout for example English (US), Colemak style.

Now open any app and start typing. It should work.

The screenshots above are for Google Pixel series phones running Android 13. The steps may look slightly different for you depending on your device manufacturer, model, and Android version.

What You Should Know About Connecting an Android Phone to a Wired Keyboard

One thing I found surprising is that Android actually supports most of the "special" keys on a keyboard. Seeing as how touchscreen keyboard apps aren't one-to-one replications, I didn't think this would be true. But it is!

For example, the Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, and Delete keys work just fine. This is so useful when typing long form, such as when taking notes or writing up a paper. The Enter key also works as expected, inserting new lines or submitting forms as appropriate to the context.

Print Screen also works, which triggers the screenshot action at the operating system level. Since taking screenshots on Android can sometimes be a pain, this is an amazingly simple workaround that's peculiar yet convenient.

keyboard slightly angled inwards for gaming-1
Image Credit: Jhet Borja

The Windows key (if using a Windows keyboard) and the Command key (if using an Apple keyboard) will trigger special functionality depending on your version of Android. On my Google Pixel 6a, it brings up Google Assistant.

Media keys are hit or miss. When I plug in my generic mechanical keyboard, the keys for volume control and playback control are functional. But when I plug in my Apple Magic Keyboard, none of the special keys register. That might be an Apple-only issue, and I fully expect most keyboard media keys to work fine.

We've encountered two downsides to using a USB keyboard with an Android device. First, there's no quick way to switch keyboard languages or layouts, and second, you lose access to things like emojis and special symbols that aren't typeable with a physical keyboard.

Why Not Just Use a Laptop?

You probably have a laptop that you love and use daily. But we can think of a few occasions when connecting a keyboard to Android can prove a better fit than carrying around a proper laptop:

  • Android devices and keyboards can often be acquired for cheaper than the price of a workstation laptop.
  • You can detach the keyboard and use the mobile device on its own as necessary.
  • You can keep all of your work on the Android device instead of syncing it with a laptop.
  • You can use that certain Android app you like that isn't available on your laptop.
  • Android devices often have longer battery life than laptops.

Once everything is set up and working, you can even take it a step further by mirroring your Android screen to a computer. You probably won't want to work like this 24/7, but if you occasionally need a bigger screen, try it. You can also control Android using your computer's mouse and keyboard.

Still not sold on the idea of using a USB keyboard with Android? See other ways to type on an Android phone.

Use an External Keyboard to Type on Your Android Phone

On Android, you have a variety of ways to type. If you need faster typing speeds, using an external keyboard is one of the best options. To connect a wired keyboard to your Android phone, you may need an OTG adapter that should set you back less than $10.

If you're lucky to have USB-C ports on both your phone and keyboard, you can link them directly. And depending on your keyboard model, you can use special keys for quick actions which makes the experience more intuitive.