DHIVA LABS · LEARN

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Connect over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth ​

The phone always pairs by scanning the QR code in the desktop app. After the scan you choose how to connect: over Wi-Fi, or over Bluetooth. Both use the same secret token from the QR code.

Connect over Wi-Fi ​

Use Wi-Fi when the phone and the computer are on the same network.

  1. Start the desktop app and check that addresses appear under the QR code.

  2. On the phone, scan the QR code.

  3. Tap Connect over WiFi.

    The phone shows Connecting over WiFi…, then the pad.

The desktop app listens on port 8737. If that port is busy, it picks another free port and puts it in the QR code, so you never need to type it.

Connect over USB tethering ​

If there is no shared Wi-Fi, you can connect the phone by USB cable and turn on USB tethering in the phone's settings. This makes a small network between the phone and the computer.

  1. Connect the phone to the computer by USB and turn on USB tethering on the phone.

  2. In the desktop app, select the refresh button next to Scan with the KeyDeck app. Its tooltip reads Refresh addresses (e.g. after enabling USB tethering).

    The new address appears under the QR code.

  3. Scan the QR code and tap Connect over WiFi.

Connect over Bluetooth ​

Bluetooth works without any network. KeyDeck uses Bluetooth Low Energy, so you do not pair the phone in your system's Bluetooth settings.

  1. In the desktop app, turn on the switch on the Bluetooth line.

    The status changes to Bluetooth: Scanning for phone….

  2. On the phone, scan the QR code and tap Connect over Bluetooth.

    The phone shows Advertising to the desktop over Bluetooth….

  3. Wait for the desktop to find the phone.

    The desktop status goes through Connecting to… and Waiting for phone handshake… to Connected over Bluetooth, and the phone shows the pad.

If the phone disconnects, the desktop shows Phone disconnected, rescanning… and looks for it again. Turn the switch off to stop Bluetooth; the status reads Bluetooth off.

Reconnect later ​

The phone remembers the last code it scanned. On the scanner screen, tap Reconnect to "KeyDeck host" to use it again without scanning.

This only works while the desktop app is still running. Each time the desktop app starts, it makes a new token, and old codes stop working. After a restart, scan the new code.

Disconnect ​

On the phone, tap the cross at the top right of the pad. The phone goes back to the scanner. The line at the top of the pad shows how you are connected (a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth icon), the host name and the grid size, such as KeyDeck host · 2×3.

Security ​

  • The secret token in the QR code is new every time the desktop app starts. A device without the current token is turned away with Bad token.
  • Anyone who can see your QR code can connect while the desktop app is running. Do not share screenshots of it.
  • Over Wi-Fi, the desktop app accepts connections on all of the computer's network connections. Use KeyDeck on networks you trust, such as your home network.

Next steps ​