Let's set up DeckPad

USB or Bluetooth?

You can set up both. DeckPad uses the cable whenever it's plugged in and Bluetooth the rest of the time. Wi-Fi isn't supported yet.

1. Install DeckPad for Windows

DeckPad for Windows is the small app on your PC that carries out the button presses. Install it first.

1. On your PC, download DeckPad-Setup.exe (or go to the download page).
2. Open the downloaded file. If Windows says “Windows protected your PC”, click More info → Run anyway. DeckPad isn't code-signed yet; here's why. On Windows 11 with Smart App Control on, read this first.
3. When the installer finishes, DeckPad starts and shows “DeckPad is ready”.
4. Its icon, four small keys, sits in the notification area next to the clock. If it isn't there, click the ^ arrow by the clock to show hidden icons. That's where Windows 11 puts new icons.

There's nothing else to do on the PC. Hover over the icon to see its status; right-click it for the menu (pairing code, paired devices, Bluetooth, start with Windows, logs).

Download for Windows

2. Install the phone app

Install DeckPad from Google Play on your Android phone and open it. It walks you through the same steps as this page.

Get it on Google Play

3. Connect with a USB cable

Over USB, DeckPad uses Android's USB debugging connection to reach the PC. No network, no IP addresses. Turning on USB debugging is a one-time switch. Android asks you to approve each computer before it can connect, so only approve your own PC.

No cable, or rather not turn on developer options? Use Bluetooth instead.

Turn on USB debugging

USB debugging lives in a hidden Developer options menu. Unlock it first, then turn the switch on. The menu names differ a little between phone brands; find yours below.

1. Open Settings → About phone and tap Build number 7 times.
2. Enter your PIN, pattern or password if asked. You'll see “You are now a developer!”
3. Go to Settings → System → Developer options, turn on USB debugging and confirm with OK.

Samsung Galaxy phones

1. Open Settings → About phone → Software information.
2. Tap Build number 7 times and enter your PIN or pattern. Samsung confirms that developer mode is on.
3. Go back to the main Settings list. Developer options now appears at the bottom, below About phone. Open it and turn on USB debugging.

Other brands

The DeckPad app shows the steps for your phone's brand, with a button that opens the right settings screen.

Plug in

1. Make sure DeckPad is running on the PC (its icon is next to the clock).
2. Connect the phone to the PC with a USB cable that carries data. Some cheap cables only charge.
3. The phone asks “Allow USB debugging?” Tick Always allow from this computer and tap Allow. If nothing appears, unlock the phone and look again.
4. Open DeckPad on the phone. Within a few seconds it shows “Found <your PC>”. Carry on with pairing.

Not connecting? The DeckPad icon on the PC gives hints: hover over it. See also the phone can't find my PC.

3. Or connect with Bluetooth

No cable and no developer options needed. Your phone and PC have to be paired with each other in their Bluetooth settings first. DeckPad only talks to devices you've already paired; it never scans for devices around you.

1. Pair the phone with the PC (once). On the phone, open Bluetooth settings so it's visible. On the PC:
   • Windows 11: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth.
   • Windows 10: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices → Add Bluetooth or other device → Bluetooth.
   Pick your phone and confirm that the numbers on both screens match.
2. On the PC, right-click the DeckPad icon and check that Allow Bluetooth connections is ticked. It's on by default.
3. On the phone, open DeckPad. During setup, tap No cable? Use Bluetooth instead. Later, you can find it under Settings → Bluetooth in the app.
4. On Android 12 and newer, allow the Nearby devices permission when asked. DeckPad uses it only to list your paired devices and connect to the one you choose.
5. Choose your PC from the list. DeckPad connects and shows “Found <your PC>”. Carry on with pairing.

4. Pair with the 6-digit code

The first time a phone connects, you confirm it's yours with a code. This stops anyone else from using your PC through DeckPad.

1. On the phone, tap Show code on PC.
2. A “Pair with DeckPad” window with a 6-digit code opens on the PC.
3. Type the code on the phone and tap Pair. Then tap Open my deck.

• A code works once and expires after 2 minutes. Tap Show a new code for another.
• After 3 wrong codes, pairing pauses for 60 seconds. After 10 wrong codes in an hour, it stays off until you choose Show pairing code… in the DeckPad menu on the PC.
• Only type the code on your own phone. DeckPad never asks for it anywhere else.

You only pair once. The phone keeps a secret token, encrypted with the Android Keystore, and reconnects on its own from then on. To unpair, tap Forget this PC in the app's settings, or on the PC right-click the DeckPad icon → Paired devices → your phone → Remove….

5. Your first buttons

DeckPad starts you off with a deck of useful buttons. Tap one to try it. To make the deck your own:

1. Open the menu at the top of the deck and choose Edit deck. Every key now opens the editor, and empty keys show a +. (Outside edit mode, tapping an empty key also adds a button there.)
2. In the editor, pick an action from the list, for example App. DeckPad shows the apps installed on your PC with their real icons.
3. Give the key a title. It takes its action's icon automatically; tap the key preview to choose a different one.
4. Save. The button appears on the deck and is stored on your PC.

In edit mode you can also add and delete pages and change the grid: 3×2, 4×2, 5×3 or 8×4 keys per page. Swipe between pages or tap the dots under the grid.

The app's Settings let you show or hide labels, vibrate on press, keep the screen on while the deck is open, and dim the screen after a while without a touch.

Next: everything the buttons can do, including OBS Studio.