Google understands that multiple users connect physical keyboards to their Android devices. This is why there is a native setting inside Android to hide the on-screen keyboard whenever the user is using an external keyboard. Here’s how to use it.
Method 1: From Android Settings
Hiding the on-screen keyboard directly from the Android settings is a straightforward process. Here’s how.
Step 1 : On your Android device, navigate to Settings > System > Language & input .
Step 2 : Here, tap on the Physical Keyboard . Finally, toggle off the option that says “ Show virtual keyboard ” or “ Show on-screen keyboard .”
And that’s it. The on-screen keyboard should disappear whenever you connect your external keyboard.
Method 2: Using Third-Party App
If you’re using an old Android device that doesn’t have this option in settings, you can use a third-party app like AnySoftKeyboard to manage the on-screen keyboard behavior. Here’s how.
Step 1 : Download the AnySoftKeyboard on your Android device.
Step 2 : Once done, activate it as an additional keyboard on your device
Step 3 : Now, head over to Settings > Language and keyboard > AnySoftKeyboard > Tweaks . Here, check the option next to Hide keyboard on physical key .
And that’s it. Whenever you touch the screen to input some text, the on-screen keyboard will still appear but will hide automatically when it detects a keypress event from an external keyboard.
Hiding the on-screen keyboard frees up screen space, enhancing your viewing and working experience. It also prevents accidental touches on the virtual keys when using an external keyboard.
No, you do not need root access to hide the on-screen keyboard. It can be done through standard settings or third-party apps
Yes, you can re-enable the on-screen keyboard by reversing the steps in the settings or AnySoftKeyboard app.
