Best Kodi Keyboards in 2021. Shortcuts and Customizations You Should Know

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One of the best things just about the Kodi media inwardness is that it kit and boodle on so umpteen diametric devices. Install IT on your Android smartphone, use it on your iPad or iPhone, add it to an Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV Box, or even Apple TV. It's highly well-heeled to use and offers a ton of entertainment options right at your fingertips.

One limitation of Kodi on portable and TV package devices is the interface. If you're trying to navigate menu screens with a bluetooth remote, for object lesson, you'll likely vex frustrated before the movie tied begins. It's not very practical trying to tweak settings or install Kodi add-ons with a simple quartet button far, which is wherefore adding a keyboard to your Kodi set-up is the way to go. Keep off reading for some of the best Kodi enabled keyboards that will make your life-time so much simpler.

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Evaluating the Kodi Keyboards

There are thousands of portable bluetooth keyboards on the market. Some of them turn up to fit in your pocket, roughly fling interbred interfaces, several deliver a full sized keyboarding interface without the hassle of wires. Most fall somewhere in-betwixt, and each emphasizes or drops certain features to appeal to a niche group of customers

Using a keyboard with Kodi requires some special considerations, peculiarly since Kodi is such a wide used nibble of software. Below are the criteria we put-upon to evaluate the keyboards for Kodi to ensure you undergo the best experience possible no substance which twist you happen to constitute victimization.

Portability – A keyboard needs to go wherever you go, especially if Kodi is your main source for movies and Television receiver shows while traveling. We've made every effort to find the most move friendly Kodi keyboards that don't mind being tossed into your luggage when it's time to get moving.

Accessibility – Kodi works happening a massive range of devices, and your newfangled keyboard should, too. The most notable divide in the Kodi residential area will be smartphones and tablets versus TV boxes and PCs. Small touch screen devices like iPhones and iPad Don River't natively funding USB inputs, which means you'll need to get a bluetooth keyboard. TV boxes normally support both bluetooth and USB, so you'll have a few many options at your disposal there. All of the keyboards featured below can be used along any device that supports bluetooth operating room USB inputs. Atomic number 102 software system is needed, sensible touch base and originate in typing.

Unnecessary features – Kodi can arrange a good deal of non-standard things thanks to its massive database of add-ons. To make sure your keyboard can handle everything Kodi bathroom throw at it, we looked for portable keyboards that have a few extra features you'll appreciate having along hand.

Price – You've already spent a lot of money happening ironware to run Kodi, wherefore spend a lot more? The devices below are as budget hail-fellow Eastern Samoa possible and provide a great value for the price.

Logitech K380 Multi-Gimmick Bluetooth Keyboard

The two-needled and astonishingly stylish bluetooth keyboard K380 from Logitech is one of the best all-round purchases for Kodi users. The twist itself is smaller than a standard keyboard, just non so small that you'll have a hard time victimization it. It fits neatly on a shelve or lap, slides into a backpack for quick trips, and boasts a two twelvemonth nightly use battery life, which should extend untold promote if you but use it for Kodi typewriting. You can even off use dedicated function buttons to connect the keyboard to three separate devices, switching between them with a solitary tap.

Pros

Great overall form factor that looks great without sacrificing usability.
Easy to connect to multiple devices running Kodi.
Excellent price aim that should appropriate most budgets.

Cons

Doesn't offer a trackpad for mouse input.
Cyclic keys tin can feel a snatch awkward at first off.

Aerb A9 Mini Wireless Keyboard

How active a keyboard that fits in your hands? The Aerb A9 is designed like a computer game controller, squeeze all the serve of a wax keyboard and tune outside into a small form factor. The comfortable and extremely movable device fits between your hands and offers directional buttons, a touch launching pad, and qwerty keyboard access for your thumbs. Typing is shockingly easy with the keypad, making it the perfect select for rattling off URLs or search queries through Kodi without having to transport around a gigantic keyboard.

Pros

Tons of features in a very small, very useful form factor.
Extremely low price.

Cons

Two finger's breadth typing isn't nearly as fast as a larger keyboard.
Doesn't act upon with Amazon Provok TV or Fire TV Pin.

Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 Summation

Sometimes you don't need to reinvent the bedroc to make a trade good product. The Logitech K400 features a similar form and layout as the K380 above, only this one aims for a standard black eye and keyboard experience akin to what you might notic along a laptop. It has a full keyboard connected the front with a deuce button trackpad on the right, media keys for fast access to volume and other basic controls, and a long 18 month battery aliveness. It's also united of the most comfortable wireless keyboards around, so if you plan on doing a circumstances of typing done Kodi, definitely study the K400.

Pros

Superior form divisor that mountain extremely high on usability.
Software program for Personal computer/laptop computer utilisation lets you customize the identify commands.
Undestroyable intention that still looks sylphlike and professional.

Cons

USB wireless admittance means you can't use it with Android Oregon iOS tablets/phones without an adapter.
A small-scale big to be sincerely functional Eastern Samoa a portable keyboard.

Jelly Comb Foldaway Bluetooth Keyboard

Collapsable keyboards don't have the greatest reputation for serviceableness. The Jelly Comb device aims to vary that. This compact piece of hardware packs a full keyboard and touch aggrandize into a petite little package, less than the size of a DVD cause when folded. Open it up and you've got a convenient means to connect with near any Kodi device, including Humanoid and iOS smartphones and tablets. IT's lightweight, has a rechargeable and lasting battery, and is perfect for traveling without giving up your light access to Kodi.

Pros

All the features of a full keyboard in an amazingly take-away package.
Sturdy build designed to withstand being knocked around inner of backpacks.
First-class terms sharpen.

Cons

Touch launchpad doesn't work with iOS devices.
Non compatible with Amazon Fire TV Stick or Chromecast devices.

Rii i12 Wireless Keyboard

This piddling device was practically made for Kodi. The Rii i12 is a wireless keyboard with a reinforced-in trackpad unofficially. Simply plug the wireless USB receiver into your TV box, PC, or laptop, inflame the keyboard up, and start typewriting. The keys feel bang-up and offer more ohmic resistanc than some receiving set keyboards, which adds up to an extremely comfortable experience despite its small size. The battery life history is also beautiful good, and when IT needs charging every you have to do is regain a USB outlet and plug it in.

Pros

Includes a trackpad for easy sneak out movements and button clicks.
Great primal feel makes it soft to type for longer periods of time.

Cons

Uses a wireless USB connection or else of bluetooth, which can limit functionality.
A bit too queen-sized to exist a practical travel keyboard.

S77 In favor Nonnegative

Wherefore use a separate far and keyboard when you can combine the two? The S77 PRO is a backlit keyboard-remote combo that helps keep your appurtenance neat and organized. One side has the familiar far control layout, featuring number keys, a directional input, and basic video navigation features. On the cover is a full 38 winder qwerty keyboard that fits between your hands, perfect for typing in URLs or other short bits of text. The device is best suited for Kodi installations connected Android Idiot box, Fire TV, or Malus pumila TV devices, A it uses a radiocommunication USB plug for connectivity. Not the best for doing a mete out of typewriting, but a brilliant mediate ground when you need more retributory a four release remote.

Pros

Amazing convenience with the keyboard and remote combination.
Backlight is perfect for dark Kodi film watching.
Vent mouse feature lets you control the cursor with ease.

Cons

Uses a USB receiving set connection, which can limit functionality.
Lilliputian keyboard isn't as comfortable or as functional as a larger twist.

Best Kodi Keyboard Shortcuts

Kodi makes heavy use of keyboard shortcuts for degraded and simple control over your videos. Nearly every main key has a default command, and about cordiform combinations leave even more than functionality. Keyboard shortcuts work along any device if you have a keyboard connected. This means you can hook your bluetooth keyboard adequate to your smartphone or TV box and start navigating right away.

Kodi's keyboard shortcuts transfer depending connected where you are in the plan. If you'Re in the main port, for instance, you'll trigger off the global controls. If you'atomic number 75 observance a video, shortcut keys can have a completely other affect. Unless differently noted, well-nig of the items down the stairs are exclusive to video mode.

Top keyboard shortcuts for Kodi:

F – Fast forward. Press aggregate times to allegretto bumptious with greater speed.
I – Info. Receive information nearly the current pour.
M – Player controls. Press to mother a visual layout of television controls Beaver State to bring up the main menu when you aren't observation a video.
P – Play. Recreate the current video.
R – Rewind. Contrac fourfold multiplication to rewind quicker.
Ctrl+S – Consider a screenshot.
T – Toggle subtitles on Oregon off.
X – Stop. Halts the current video playback.
Space – Interruption/sport. Pauses and resumes your video, retributive like well-nig media players.
A – Fix audio that's out of sync with the picture.
Pointer keys – Try backwards surgery forwards a add up of frames, seconds, operating theater minutes.
Esc – Exit full screen, or go indorse to the Kodi domicile menu.
F8 – Mute. Quickly turns the sound away.

Customizing Kodi's Keyboard Shortcuts

Kodi's default option keyboard shortcuts are pretty illogical, just there's ever board for improvement and personalization! The simplest way to customize Kodi's keyboard shortcuts is through the Keymap Editor add-on. This free extension lets you switch individual buttons connected gamepads, keyboards, and remotes right away from the Kodi interface, no config file editing obligatory.

Keymap Editor is uncommitted from Kodi's official repository, which is enclosed with your base installation.

How to set up Keymap Editor on Kodi:

Open Kodi on your local twist.
Select "Add-ons" from the main menu.
Get across the open box image at the top of the menu bar.
Select "Put in from monument"
Select "Kodi Add-on Repository"
Scroll to "Program Add-ons"
Find "Keymap Editor program" and click connected it.
Choose the install button the right.
After installation, go back to the Kodi principal menu.
Access the Keymap Editor in chief from "Program add-ons" in the main sidebar.

Once the Keymap Editor is installed, you can edit, save, and restore keyboard shortcut layouts with ease. Just navigate through the graphic interface, choose the items you'd like to alteration, then click ok.

Manually Edit Kodi's Keyboard Shortcuts

While the Keymap Editor add-on is super convenient, few users may favor manually editing their config files. This allows you to customize keyboard shortcuts in bulk, in case you want to do a complete remapping of Kodi's crosscut interface.

You'll require to execute a lot of typing and file cabinet editing to manually deepen the shortcuts. This won't personify a problem if you already have a keyboard for your Kodi device, though it can still be a harass if you'rhenium connected a Boob tube corner. If you single need to shift few keys around, it's faster to use the Keymap Editor above.

To manually change keyboard shortcuts, you'll first need access to Kodi's userdata folder.

How to find Kodi's userdata folder:

Android – Download a file manager and navigate to the tailing directory: Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi/files/.kodi/userdata/
iOS – Download a single file manager such as Documents 6, then navigate to the following directory: -/private/var/mobile/Library/Preferences/Kodi/userdata/
Linux – ~/.kodi/userdata/
Mackintosh – /Users/<your_user_name>/Library/Application Support/Kodi/userdata/
Windows – Click the Start/Windows icon on the task bar, and so type %APPDATA% and press enter. Navigate to the following directory afterwards: \kodi\userdata

Inside the userdata pamphlet is an nonmeaningful directory called keymaps. Kodi checks here for user created keyboard shortcut files and uses them to override the default option settings. The official Kodi code repository has a pre-made single file you can download, place in this folder, and edit out directly:

https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/tree/master/system/keymaps

Redaction this XML file is astonishingly simple. You won't need coding cognition OR anything like that, all you have to do is replace the entries with the actions you want to use. The format displays a list of keys with their function on the inside. For good example, the F primal can be assigned to fast forrad a video. That would look like this in the keyboard.xml file:

FastForward

You can change "FastForward" to any command you like (play, rewind, or a multifariousness of menu commands), just be careful non to depute multiple actions to the same cay. You can straight assign shortcut combinations like "Ctrl+P" or long presses. You'll deman to consult the official Kodi wiki for a complete list of actions and modifiers for the winder commands. It dismiss scram a little technical if you deficiency to do more than complicated things, but overall it's a really easy setting to modify.

Use a Keyboard App with Kodi

A expedient middle ground between using a bluetooth remote with Kodi and purchasing a full keyboard is to try an app with soft keyboard support. Most of these are built like simple remote controls with navigation buttons and play/pause functions organized to fit your smartphone screen. When Kodi requests keyboard input, withal, the device jetting the app will display a software keyboard you throne use to typewrite directly into Kodi. It's nary full keyboard, but IT's far better than navigating on-screen letters one button wardrobe at a clip.

Both the Android and iOS marketplaces have a few congruous apps that let you use a touch screen keyboard with Kodi. To use them, you'll need a bluetooth enabled smartphone or pill that's secernate from the device you'ray using Kodi with. Install the app, tie to your Kodi box, then start typing.

Official Kodi Remote (iPhone/iPad) – It's official, it's free, and it's extremely easy to use. Supports all iOS devices and connects to extrinsic devices using bluetooth.
Kore, Administrative unit Remote for Kodi (Mechanical man) – An official remote/keyboard app for Android smartphones and tablets.

Yatse (Android) – An unconfirmed only advisable-liked app planned specifically for use as a Kodi remote.