1 Topic by nuc1 (edited by nuc1 2026-07-18 11:37:44)

  • nuc1
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Topic: Use BLE Keyboard with RemoteXY_MODE__ESP32CORE

Trying to run RemoteXY in a car with an Apple Ipad Mini A7 Pro. To get the Ipad to interface with the car using ESP32 S3 (steering wheel controls, encoders for volume/subwoofer control and other features). ESP32 acts as HID BLE keyboard and sends keyboard commands to Ipad. Ipad executes shortcuts based on keyboard commands. This works ok if just using the ESP32 as HID keyboard. If I try to add RemoteXY via BLE it will not work. Attempted to use the stream method but can't get it to work.
Request the ability to use RemoteXY app via BLE and HID BLE keyboard at same time. Need WiFi to allow ipad and iphone to communicate via Continuity. I can use BT for Continuity but will not auto connect; would like the ipad to act as standard HU.

Edit: I've modified RemoteXY.BLEDevice.h to use NimBLE but also unable to use BLE keyboard at same time. Would prefer to use NimBLE due to much lower RAM usage, if possible.

Thanks.

2 Reply by remotexy

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Re: Use BLE Keyboard with RemoteXY_MODE__ESP32CORE

Hi,
Yes, this is theoretically possible using the Stream connection method.
RemoteXY allows you to create your own communication class inherited from the Arduino Stream class. You can implement your own BLE communication layer (for example, based on NimBLE) and pass this custom stream object to RemoteXY.
Documentation is here:
https://remotexy.com/en/help/library/stream/
You need to create a class like this:

class MyBLEStream : public Stream {
  public:
    void write(uint8_t b) override {
      // send byte via your BLE implementation
    }

    int available() override {
      // return number of available bytes
    }

    int read() override {
      // read one byte from BLE
    }

    void flush() override {
      // flush BLE package
    }
};

Then in setup():

MyBLEStream myBLEStream;
// ... initialize your BLE + HID here ...

RemoteXYGui *gui = RemoteXYEngine.addGui(RemoteXY_CONF_PROGMEM, &RemoteXY);
gui->addConnection(myBLEStream);

This way you can try to combine RemoteXY data exchange and HID Keyboard functionality in one BLE stack (preferably using NimBLE).
However, keep in mind that making BLE HID Keyboard and RemoteXY work stably at the same time is still quite complex. You will need to carefully manage connections, MTU, notifications and buffers.

3 Reply by nuc1

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Re: Use BLE Keyboard with RemoteXY_MODE__ESP32CORE

Thank you for responding. I used the custom Stream method as described but could never get NimBLE to work with RemoteXY and BLE keyboard at same time. Either one or the other but not both would work. Add in the complexity of Apple, Inc and it was just too much to solve.
I've since changed to using RemoteXY with NimBLE and just use the ESP32 as a HID keyboard via USB. Works as the Ipad is always docked in the truck anyways.