Configuring built-in keyboard settings

You can configure some keyboard behaviors under Settings / System / Languages & input / Physical keyboard / Built-in Keyboard.

Use the Built-in Keyboard settings to check settings or make changes to some of the built–in keyboard behavior. Use the Android toggle to Enable/Turn On (slide to the right) or Disable/Turn Off (slide to the left). Details for each setting are covered below.

Built-in keyboard backlight

The built-in keyboard is equipped with a backlight that makes it easier to use in dimly lit areas. The backlight is activated when you press a key; it stays on for a while and then turns off to conserve power. You can manually turn off the backlight or adjust its brightness.

To edit the backlight behaviors, go to Settings / System / Languages & input / Physical keyboard / Built-in Keyboard / Backlight and configure as required:

• Enable. This is On by default. If you don't work in low light settings, turn Off to completely disable the backlight and save battery power.

• Timeout . Set the Timeout value to determine how long the backlight stays on when no keys are pressed.

• Automatic Mode. When set to: 

  • Off, the backlight is always enabled . This is the default setting.

  • On, the device's ambient light sensor is used to keep the backlight from turning on in well lit areas.

• Backlight brightness. Move the slider to adjust the brightness of the backlight (right = brighter, left = dimmer). Brighter settings consume more power than dimmer settings.

Modifier keys and Sticky keys: modes and settings

Use Modifier keys to modify the action of another pressed key, while you press-hold the modifier key. Modifier keys can be used in combinations, with more than one modifier key pressed at the same time.

The modifier keys are:

• the Fn key

• the Shift ( ) key

• the Ctrl key

• the AGr key

Since the device is normally hand-held, it can be difficult to press multiple keys on the built‑in keyboard at the same time. To make the keyboard easier to use, you can set the modifier keys to be Sticky keys.

When Sticky keys are enabled, the modifier keys “stick down” when pressed so that you do not need to press-hold a modifier key while you press the other key(s), allowing multiple key combinations to be pressed sequentially.

To configure Modifier / Sticky key behavior, go to Settings / System / Languages & input / Physical keyboard / Built-in Keyboard / Sticky Keys. If Sticky key behavior is off, move the Sticky modifier keys slider to the right to turn on Sticky key behavior.

• On (default) = Sticky key behavior is enabled. Modifier keys "stick down" when pressed, and stay active until you press a non‑modifier key.

• Off = Sticky key behavior is disabled. To access modified key functions, you must press-hold the required Modifier key and then press the other key you want. E.g. press-hold Shift then press an alpha key to access the capital letter.

The different Sticky key modes / settings and behavior of the modifier keys when Sticky key behavior is enabled is described below.

• The Search key is used as a non-modifier key to open the Android Search function. You can make it non-sticky by turning this option Off.

  • Off (default): Search key is not a sticky key. Because the Search key is sometimes used in a non-modifier fashion this control allows the Search key to not be sticky while the other keys remain sticky.

  • On: Search key is a sticky key.

• Lock modifier keys when pressed twice in quick succession. You can set a modifier key to be locked down indefinitely by turning this setting On; when you then press a modifier key twice, it locks down until you press the key a third time.

  • Off (default): Modifier keys are released when pressed two times in quick succession. Normal Sticky keys mode: Temporarily latch modifier key when pressed. Pressing and releasing a modifier key one time latches the modifier key state down until a non-modifier key is pressed at which point the modifier key is released.

  • On: Modifier keys are locked down when pressed twice in quick succession (press a third time to release). Pressing and releasing a modifier key one time latches the modifier key state down until another non-modifier key is pressed at which point the modifier key is released. Pressing and releasing a modifier key two times in quick succession locks the modifier key state down until it is pressed and released a third time.

• Play sounds when modifier keys are pressed. Plays a sound when sticky keys are locked down or released to make it easier to determine the locked state of the modifier keys.

  • Off (default): No sound when sticky keys are pressed or released.

  • On: Play a sound when a modifier key is latched down, locked down, or sticky keys are pressed or released.