The AllieCat Sofle supports a unique dongle mode that allows you to use your wireless split keyboard with devices that don't have Bluetooth, or in environments where Bluetooth connections are restricted.

Dongle mode transforms your keyboard setup into a 3-piece system:

• Left keyboard half: Acts as a peripheral device
• Right keyboard half: Acts as a peripheral device
• Dongle: A third Nice!Nano that acts as a central receiver

The dongle connects to your computer via USB and receives input from both keyboard halves wirelessly, then forwards it to your computer as if it were a regular wired keyboard.

• 3x Nice!Nano controllers (one for each half + dongle)
• 1x OLED display for the dongle (optional but recommended)
• USB-C cable for dongle connection
• Dongle housing/case (3D printed or purchased separately)

• Status LEDs on dongle for connection indication
• Reset button for easy dongle management
• Power switch for dongle (if using battery backup)

The dongle mode requires specific firmware files located in: Instructions_ORIGINAL_CHINESE/zmk studio和 and new firmware/sofle-dongle-firmware接收器版固件/

• eyeslash_sofle_peripheral_left nice_view_custom-nice_nano_v2-zmk.uf2 - Left half
• eyeslash_sofle_peripheral_right nice_view_custom-nice_nano_v2-zmk.uf2 - Right half
• eyeslash_sofle_central_dongle_oled.uf2 - Dongle receiver
• settings_reset-nice_nano_v2-zmk.uf2 - Reset firmware (if needed)

1. Left Half Setup:

   • Put left Nice!Nano in bootloader mode (double-tap reset)
   • Flash eyeslash_sofle_peripheral_left nice_view_custom-nice_nano_v2-zmk.uf2
   • Wait for restart

2. Right Half Setup:

   • Put right Nice!Nano in bootloader mode (double-tap reset)
   • Flash eyeslash_sofle_peripheral_right nice_view_custom-nice_nano_v2-zmk.uf2
   • Wait for restart

1. Install Nice!Nano in dongle housing
2. Connect OLED display (if using)
3. Add status LEDs (optional)
4. Install reset button (recommended)

1. Put dongle in bootloader mode (double-tap reset)
2. Flash eyeslash_sofle_central_dongle_oled.uf2
3. Wait for restart - dongle should appear as USB device

1. Power on all three devices (both halves + dongle)
2. Connect dongle to computer via USB
3. Automatic pairing should occur within 30 seconds
4. Verify connectivity by testing keys from both halves

The OLED display on the dongle shows:

• Connection status for left and right halves
• Active profile information
• Battery levels of connected peripherals
• Current layer indicator
• Error messages if connection issues occur

┌─────────────────┐
│ EYELASH SOFLE   │
│ Dongle Mode     │
│                 │
│ L: ●●●○○ (75%)  │
│ R: ●●●●○ (85%)  │
│                 │
│ Profile: 1      │
│ Layer: 0        │
└─────────────────┘

Located in dongle firmware configuration:

// Connection timeout (ms)
CONFIG_BT_PERIPHERAL_TIMEOUT=30000

// Maximum connected peripherals
CONFIG_BT_MAX_CONN=2

// Display update interval (ms)
CONFIG_DISPLAY_UPDATE_INTERVAL=1000

// Auto-sleep timeout (ms)
CONFIG_ZMK_IDLE_SLEEP_TIMEOUT=1800000

Both keyboard halves are configured as peripherals:

// Peripheral mode enabled
CONFIG_ZMK_SPLIT_ROLE_CENTRAL=n

// Advertising interval (ms)
CONFIG_BT_PERIPHERAL_ADVERT_INTERVAL=40

// Connection interval (ms)
CONFIG_BT_PERIPHERAL_CONN_INTERVAL=7.5

The dongle supports multiple profiles for different host devices:

1. Profile 0: Default profile
2. Profile 1-4: Additional profiles for different computers
3. Profile switching: Use keyboard shortcuts or dongle button

• Keyboard shortcut: Layer 2 + Number keys (0-4)
• Dongle button: Press and hold for profile cycling
• Auto-switching: Based on last connected device

Enable ultra-low latency for gaming:

CONFIG_BT_CTLR_TX_PWR_PLUS_8=y
CONFIG_BT_CONN_INTERVAL_MIN=6
CONFIG_BT_CONN_INTERVAL_MAX=6

Dongle monitors and reports battery levels:

• Low battery warnings displayed on OLED
• Automatic power management for peripherals
• Battery level synchronization with host

Automatic reconnection features:

• Auto-reconnect after temporary disconnection
• Connection prioritization (last connected device first)
• Fallback pairing if primary connection fails

• Check USB connection - try different ports/cables
• Verify firmware - ensure correct dongle firmware flashed
• Driver issues - may need USB driver reinstallation

• Check pairing order - dongle must be powered first
• Reset connections - use settings reset firmware
• Battery levels - ensure adequate charge on all devices

• Interference - move away from other wireless devices
• Connection interval - adjust in firmware configuration
• USB power - ensure stable power supply to dongle

• Range issues - keep devices within 3 meters
• Battery levels - check and charge peripheral batteries
• Firmware updates - ensure latest firmware on all devices

1. Flash settings reset to all three devices
2. Power cycle all devices
3. Re-flash appropriate firmware to each device
4. Re-pair in correct order (dongle first)

1. Hold reset button on dongle for 10 seconds
2. Re-flash dongle firmware if needed
3. Power cycle peripherals to re-establish connection

• Gaming setups where Bluetooth latency is unacceptable
• Corporate environments with Bluetooth restrictions
• Older computers without Bluetooth capability
• KVM switches and server management
• Secure environments requiring wired connections

• Requires USB port for dongle connection
• Additional hardware needed (third Nice!Nano)
• More complex setup than standard Bluetooth mode
• Dongle must remain connected to host device

1. Flash peripheral firmware to both halves
2. Set up dongle with central firmware
3. Pair devices in correct order
4. Test functionality before regular use

1. Flash standard firmware to both halves
2. Reset Bluetooth settings on host devices
3. Pair directly to host device
4. Dongle becomes unused (can be repurposed)

Need help? Check the Troubleshooting Guide or contact support at [email protected] for hardware-specific issues.