USB is the most reliable way to connect, and the only way to flash firmware. Bluetooth works too, with a little more setup.
You need a data-capable USB-C cable. Charge-only cables carry power but no data, so your pad won’t appear in the browser’s device picker. If the pad doesn’t show up, the cable is the most common cause.
Plug in your MinimalPad
Connect it with a data-capable USB-C cable. The underglow lights up to confirm it has power.
Open Studio in Chrome or Edge
Choose USB / Serial
In the connection dialog, click USB / Serial (“Connect via USB-C cable”). The browser opens its device picker.
Select your MinimalPad
Pick it from the list and click Connect. The picker filters to ZMK devices, so only compatible hardware is shown.
Wait for green
The status bar goes from amber to green and reads MinimalPad connected. Your keymap loads automatically and you can start editing.
Pair the pad with your computer first, then let the browser connect to it.Web Bluetooth support varies. It works reliably in Chrome on Windows and macOS. On Linux it may need the chrome://flags/#enable-web-bluetooth flag. If the Bluetooth option is greyed out or missing, use USB instead.
Power on your MinimalPad
Connect a charged battery, or a USB-C cable for power. Press any key if the pad is asleep.
Select an unused Bluetooth profile
A new pad starts on an unused profile and advertises itself automatically. To pair another computer later, switch to an unused profile first — see Bluetooth profiles. Pair it in your computer's Bluetooth settings
Turn on Bluetooth and use Add device or Pair new device. Your computer does the searching. Select minimalpad — the pad advertises its name in lowercase — and wait until it shows as connected.
Allow Studio to use the paired pad
The browser opens its own Bluetooth picker. Select the pad you just paired. This gives the browser permission to talk to it; it doesn’t replace the pairing in your system settings.
Wait for green
The status indicator turns green and reads MinimalPad connected.
There’s no unlock step and no unlock key. The pad is ready to edit as soon as the indicator turns green.
Reading the status bar
The bar at the bottom of the screen shows the state of the connection.
Quick fixes
- The pad isn’t in the device list — try a different USB-C cable (charge-only cables are common) or another port. Avoid passive hubs.
- Another application is using the port — close any terminal, flashing tool, serial monitor, or Studio for Mac that has the pad.
- The option is greyed out — confirm you’re in Chrome or Edge.
Full walkthrough: Studio for browser won’t connect. 
