Pairing/Re-pairing Wireless Keyboard

Question

Level 1

21 points

Pairing/Re-pairing Wireless Keyboard

I managed to pair my wireless keyboard to my iPad. It wasn't especially easy--I had to delete it from my Bluetooth network on the computer. Once I did that, it was fine. However, it took even more time to re-pair the keyboard with the computer again. I had to leave it off for a few minutes after deleting it from the iPad.

Am I doing something wrong--is it normally this difficult? Is Apple trying to get us to buy a separate wireless keyboard because it takes too much effort to use it for both/either the computer and iPad?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.5), TechnoWeinie with iMac, iPhone3GS, iPad and iPods galore

Posted on Nov 29, 2010 3:31 PM

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Answer 1

Asatoran

Level 4

2,532 points

Nov 29, 2010 3:51 PM in response to karenvb

Bluetooth keyboard (and mice) can only pair to one computer at a time. They're not designed to "switch between computers." It's not a conspiracy from Apple, but a limitation of the Bluetooth profile for Human Interface Devices (HID, a.k.a. keyboards, mice, joysticks, etc.) Maybe in the future, but for now, you have to choose the iPad or the computer an stick with it.

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Nov 29, 2010 3:53 PM in response to karenvb

Yes, it is normal You have to unpair a BT device from one device before you can pair it with another. To unpair it from a Mac you go to preferences and click on the disconnect button. To unpair from the iPod you go to the BT setting and touch on the forget this device button.

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Answer 3

Jerryb

Level 3

870 points

Nov 29, 2010 4:08 PM in response to karenvb

You shouldn't have to pair/re-pair. You only need to pair the devices once. What you do have to perform each time you want to go from iPad to computer is a disconnect/connect.

In other words, if you are using the keyboard with your computer and want to use it with your iPad, simply go to the bluetooth menu option and "disconnect" the keyboard from the computer. Now go to the bluetooth setting on the iPad and "connect" the keyboard.

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Answer 4

Fred-M-

Level 4

2,397 points

Nov 29, 2010 3:58 PM in response to karenvb

Karen-

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I think there would be problems if a keyboard accidentally was paired with two machines at the same time. To keep that from happening, you must remove the pairing with one before you can pair with the other. And pairing involves both the machine and the keyboard, so both need to be unpaired before the switch can be made.

Fred

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Answer 5

karenvb Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 29, 2010 4:03 PM in response to karenvb

Thanks so much, everyone (even though it's a pain). 🙂

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Answer 6

karenvb Author

Level 1

21 points

Nov 29, 2010 4:09 PM in response to Jerryb

Ah, good point, Jerry. Thanks.

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Answer 7

Jan 10, 2011 4:45 PM in response to lllaass

I don't find a disconnect button. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place?

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Answer 8

Jan 10, 2011 4:47 PM in response to revsfreeman

I'm having the same issue. I removed the pairing from the other computer, but the pairing shows in Bluetooth settings, but no button to disconnect. Won't connect properly

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