Adaptable—
Going out into the world? Take along a full-size Bluetooth keyboard. Tri-fold design flips out to 11.5 inches when you need it, folds away when you don't. Quick charge battery lasts weeks, and it’s compatible with just about anything
Solid Build, Solid Battery—
An anodized aluminum shell houses precision scissor-switch keys. USB-rechargeable Li-Ion battery holds enough power to keep you typing for weeks on a single charge. Plus, it has a cool case that turns into a stand
Compatible—
Yeah, it’ll work with that. More than an iPad keyboard, more than a computer keyboard. With compatibility modes for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux, this multi device keyboard works with whatever you're working on
Key Quality—
High-quality scissor switches supply a satisfying sensation when tapping away on this wireless keyboard. Sounds like a soothing cascade of quiet clicks. Feels strong enough to lend emotional support (it doesn't though)
2-Year Coverage, Lifetime Support—
Every Plugable product, including this foldable Bluetooth keyboard, is covered against defects for 2 years and comes with lifetime support. If you ever have questions, contact our North American-based team - even before purchase
The Plugable Folding Bluetooth Keyboard BT-KEY3XL is small, convenient, and easy to use with any phone or tablet. Whether you’re texting, sending emails, or writing a report this keyboard is great for planes, coffee shops, and more! Yet, when you are ready to go, it folds smaller than a paperback book and fits right in a bag or briefcase with your tablet or phone.
Portable
Experience the ease of typing on a keyboard while away from your desk. The normal-size keys are properly spaced for accurate typing and have a crisp and familiar touch, with the precise scissor switch mechanism found on quality desktop and laptop keyboards.
Charging
Minutes of charging give you hours of use! Plug the keyboard into a USB charger or computer. Check on the keyboard’s charge level by pressing Fn + Right Alt. The power LED indicates the battery level from 4 flashes (full) to 1 flash (needs charging).
Use the Case as a Stand
The included case protects your keyboard when stowed, then a quick flip of the cover turns it into an adjustable stand for your phone or tablet. The fitted case is lined with soft microfiber on the inside to protect the keyboard with a soft leather-like surface on the outside.
Compatibility
The Plugable keyboard connects via both Bluetooth and USB. It features USB charging and compatibility modes for iOS, Android, and Windows. A row of dedicated special keys and quick two-finger key combos give you lots of control over your devices, such as:
Delete, Esc, F1-12 (Fn + Top Row Keys): Windows
Navigation keys (Home, End, Page Up/Down): iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
Media keys (Pause/Play, Forward, Back, Volume Up/Down): iOS, Android, Mac (iTunes)
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This article explains what the LED keys on Plugable Folding keyboards indicate when they light up.
BT-KEY3XL:
Light
Status
Power LED inRed
The keyboard is charging through the USB port. It will go out when charging is finished.
Power LED inGreen
The keyboard has sufficient charge for operation. (Turns on when opening the keyboard, then turns off.)
Power LED in Green - flashing
You can check the keyboard's charge level by pressing Fn + Right Alt. This LED indicates the battery level from 4 flashes (full battery) to 1 flash (needs charging).
State LED in Blue - flashing
The keyboard is broadcasting its existence through Bluetooth and can be discovered by your computer, tablet, or phone. (Press Fn + C to enter Bluetooth parting mode)
State LED in Green
The keyboard is operating in USB mode *)
Caps LED in Blue
Caps Lock is on.
*) Switching USB / Bluetooth mode:
Fn + 1 : Bluetooth mode
Fn + 2 : USB mode
BT-KEY3:
Light
Status
Left LED in Blue - flashing
The keyboard is broadcasting its existence through Bluetooth and can be discovered by your computer, tablet, or phone. (Press Fn + C to enter Bluetooth parting mode.)
Left LED inRed - flashing
The battery needs charging.
Right LED in Green
The keyboard is ready to use. (Turns on when opening the keyboard, then turns off.)
Right LED in Red
The keyboard is charging through the USB port. It will go out when charging is finished.
Many users assume that USB-C devices can work with older Thunderbolt 2 Macs if they use a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, such as the one made by Apple. However, this is not the case. These adapters are specifically designed to support Thunderbolt devices only -not standard USB-C peripherals.
While Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C share the same connector type, they use different underlying data protocols. Non-Thunderbolt USB-C devices, rely on USB standards for data and power. The Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not carry USB signals; it only passes Thunderbolt data. Because of this, plugging a USB-C device into a Thunderbolt 2 Mac using this adapter will not work - the computer will not detect or communicate with the device.
If you need to connect peripherals to a Thunderbolt 2 system, we recommend using a USB-A dock or hub (if available on your system). This ensures compatibility without relying on unsupported adapter chains.
In short, even though the connectors may fit, USB-C devices are not compatible with Thunderbolt 2 Macs via Thunderbolt adapters - only Thunderbolt devices will work in that setup.
All Thunderbolt docking stations include the appropriate Thunderbolt cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable Thunderbolt host cables that are included with Plugable Thunderbolt docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable Thunderbolt cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long Thunderbolt host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from Plugable. An example of such a cable is the Plugable TBT4-40G2M cable
Plugable does NOT support using Thunderbolt host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product.
Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of Thunderbolt extension cable or any type of signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
Please note, Plugable can only guarantee the performance and compatibility of Plugable brand cables.
All Plugable USB-C docking stations include the appropriate USB-C cable in order to connect the docking station to the host computer. As of this writing, all Plugable USB-C host cables that are included with Plugable USB-C docking stations are 1.0 meter (approximately 3.3) feet in overall length.
For reference, the specifications of all Plugable brand USB-C cables are printed on a small white cable flag attached to the cable itself.
If the original 1.0 meter long USB-C host cable is not sufficient for a specific use case, longer cables of up to 2.0 meters (approximately 6.6 feet) in overall length can be purchased separately from a 3rd-party.
We recommend purchasing a cable that matches or exceeds the specifications of the original Plugable cable and purchasing said cable from both a well known and reliable brand.
Plugable does offer a 1.0 meter long USB-C extension cable (USBC-METER3-1MF) that can be used in conjunction with our USB-C docking stations. This extension cable can be combined with the original 1.0 meter long Plugable USB-C cable included in the box with the docking station to extend the overall cable length to 2.0 meters.
Plugable does NOT support using USB-C host connection cables that are over 2.0 meters in overall length with any Plugable brand product. Additionally, Plugable does NOT support the use of any type of 3rd-party USB-C extension cable or signal repeater in conjunction with our products.
For most modern Windows and Mac systems, Thunderbolt devices are automatically approved and will ‘just work’ once connected.
The main exception is Apple Mac laptops with Apple CPUs running macOS Ventura (13) or newer, where you’ll be prompted to manually approve the device the first time you connect it.
The summary table below provides the specific details at a glance, and the text that follows explains the table in more detail.
To expand further, Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 are in essence external connections to the host computer’s internal PCI Express bus. This type of low-level and high speed connection warranted security protocols to prevent unauthorized access to user data.
Windows: From Intel Software to Native OS Support
When Thunderbolt 3 Windows systems were first introduced in late 2015 it was necessary to use Intel Thunderbolt software to manually authenticate and approve external Thunderbolt devices.
With the introduction of Thunderbolt 4 Windows systems in 2020, it was still necessary to have Intel Thunderbolt software installed on the host computer. However, in most cases the authentication and approval process would happen automatically greatly simplifying the process.
Starting with Windows 11 version 21H2 released in October of 2021, Microsoft integrated support for both USB4 and Thunderbolt into the Windows operating system → LINK
This means that with most modern Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 computers running the latest version of Windows 11 it is no longer necessary to install Intel Thunderbolt software on the host computer in order to manage Thunderbolt devices. In most cases, the authentication and approval process will still happen automatically.
macOS: From Intel CPUs to Apple CPUs
When Thunderbolt 3 Mac systems with Intel CPUs were first introduced in 2016, the authentication and approval mechanism was built-in to macOS and was transparent to the end user.
Apple introduced Mac computers based on Apple CPUs in 2020. Macs based on Apple CPUs running macoS 11 Big Sur or macOS 12 Monterey would automatically approve and authenticate Thunderbolt devices when connected.
macOS 13 Ventura was released in 2022 and for portable Macs with Apple CPUs Apple introduced a feature known as ‘Accessory Security’ (also known as ‘Restricted Mode’) → LINK
By default, portable Macs (i.e. laptops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS will require the end user to authenticate and approve a Thunderbolt device when initially connected.
Stationary Macs (i.e. desktops) with an Apple CPU running macOS 13 Ventura or newer version of macOS do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.
Apple Macs with Intel CPUs (both laptop and desktops) running macOS 13 Ventura or newer do NOT implement the ‘Accessory Security’ feature. As a result, Thunderbolt devices will be automatically approved and authenticated when initially connected.