Issue with peripheral hids keyboard and iOS

[Arthur J Sary]

Hello,

I am testing the "peripheral_hids_keyboard" sample from the Nordic Connect SDK v2.9.0 using the corresponding toolchain version. When connecting the device to an iPhone running the latest iOS version, I noticed that the Bluetooth settings only provide the option to "Forget This Device", but not a "Disconnect" button.

This behavior is different from other Bluetooth accessories, which typically allow the user to disconnect without unpairing. I would like to confirm if this is expected behavior for HID BLE devices on iOS or if there is a configuration in the SDK that might enable the disconnect option.
Could you please clarify if there is a way to modify this behavior, or if it is a known limitation with iOS and HID BLE devices?

[Kenneth]

Hello,

The examples are just setup to provide some basic functionality, there is no problem to add some kind of timeout handler (or button press), which for instance after a period of inactivity (or on button press) can disconnect and go to a deep sleep state.

Kenneth

[Lorenzo Amicucci]

I have tested the nRF Desktop (HID) application on my iphone. 
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/applications/nrf_desktop/README.html
nRF Desktop is a more complete application for HID than the simple sample. Also nRF Desktop is in nRF Connect SDK. 

However, even with nRF Destkop, I see the same as Arthur: on the iOS, when I click on (i) on the bluetooth settings, I get only the "Forget This Device" option. 

On the contrary, when using my classic BT audio headset, ios indeed offers the "disconnect" option.
However, I have not tested other BLE devices to see if limitation is on BLE or HID or somewhere else. 
Any suggestion? 

[Kenneth]

According to chatgpt it's not possible, but I have asked internally in any case.

Kenneth

[Kenneth]

We can see the same, so I expect it's an iOS limitation.

Kenneth