> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.minimalmacropad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MinimalPad Bluetooth Profiles: Pair Up to Five Devices

> MinimalPad keeps five Bluetooth pairings. Learn how to switch between them, free one up, and choose whether the pad types over USB or Bluetooth.

MinimalPad stores **five Bluetooth pairings**, so it can stay paired with a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, and two more. Each one is a *profile* — slot 1 to 5. Switching profiles changes which computer the pad types into.

<Note>
  Don't confuse these with **app profiles** in [Studio for Mac](/mac/profiles), which change what the keys do. Bluetooth profiles change *which computer* the keys go to.
</Note>

## On the default keymap

Hold the **bottom-right key** to reach the **Connections & LEDs** layer, then press:

| Profile | Key on the Connections & LEDs layer                |
| ------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| 1–4     | First, second, third, or fourth key on the top row |
| 5       | First key on the second row                        |

The same layer has **Use USB**, **Use Bluetooth**, and **Clear profile** on the second row, with **Clear profile** last so you don't press it by mistake.

## Pair a new computer

<Steps>
  <Step title="Switch to an unused profile">
    The pad advertises itself automatically when the selected profile has nothing paired to it. Selecting a profile that's already in use does **not** overwrite it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pair from the computer">
    Open its Bluetooth settings and use **Add device** or **Pair new device**. The computer does the searching — the pad never searches for computers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select MinimalPad">
    Complete the pairing and wait until it shows as connected.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Free up a profile

If all five slots are in use, clear one before pairing something new:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Switch to the profile you want to reuse">
    Use the profile keys on the Connections & LEDs layer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Press Clear profile">
    This forgets the pairing stored in that slot.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Forget the pad on the old computer too">
    Remove or forget MinimalPad in that computer's Bluetooth settings.

    <Warning>
      The pairing key is stored on **both** devices. Clearing only one side leaves the other trying to connect with a key that no longer works, which looks like a pad that connects and immediately drops.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

If **Clear profile** isn't on your keymap, connect over USB and assign it to a key first — see [Change a key](/browser/change-a-key).

## All the Bluetooth actions

You can put any of these on a key.

| Action             | What it does                              |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| Select profile 1–5 | Switch the active connection to that slot |
| Next profile       | Move to the next slot                     |
| Previous profile   | Move to the previous slot                 |
| Disconnect profile | Drop the connection but keep the pairing  |
| Clear profile      | Forget the pairing in the current slot    |
| Clear all profiles | Forget every pairing                      |

<Warning>
  **Clear all profiles** wipes every pairing at once and can't be undone. The pad will show as unpaired to every computer it knew.
</Warning>

## USB or Bluetooth output

**Use USB** and **Use Bluetooth** choose where the pad sends your keys. This matters for more than typing:

* A configurator can only reach the pad over the connection it's currently using for output.
* [App profiles](/mac/profiles) only switch on the computer the pad is typing into. Move the pad to another computer and your Mac's profiles pause until you switch back.

## Battery

Wireless use needs a charged 3.7 V LiPo battery, which isn't included — see [What you need](/getting-started/what-you-need). You can power the pad over USB-C while pairing.

On battery, the pad goes into deep sleep after 12 hours without use and Bluetooth disconnects. Press a key to wake it; it reconnects within a few seconds, and that first key press only wakes it.

## Trouble?

See [Bluetooth problems](/help/bluetooth). ZMK's own [Bluetooth behaviour documentation](https://zmk.dev/docs/keymaps/behaviors/bluetooth) covers the underlying firmware behaviour.