How to map and use an external PTT button with Zello (iOS, Android)
In order to use an external headset, button, or microphone with the Zello mobile app, you will need to set up the PTT button on this device from within the Zello mobile app. This article lays out instructions for pairing an external button with the Zello mobile app, as well as using the button with or without a default channel selected.
Table of Contents:
- Part One: Pairing an external PTT button with an iOS device
- Part Two: Pairing an external PTT button with an Android device
- Part Three: Using your button with or without a default channel selected
- Part Four: Mapping a Default contact in the mobile App
Part One: Pairing an external PTT button with an iOS device
1. Connect the hardware device to your iPhone/iPad.
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- For a Bluetooth device: use manufacturers’ instructions to pair the device to your iPhone/iPad.
- For a wired device: plug the device into your iPhone/iPad.
2. On the main menu, select Options.
3. On the Options menu, select Push-to-talk buttons.
4. Select Add New Device to put the Zello app into pairing mode.
5. Press the PTT button on your device to pair it with Zello for use as a PTT button.
6. The new button will be added to your list automatically. This button will usually be named as the model and/or manufacturer’s name.
7. Test the PTT button by using it to send a message to your Echo contact.
Part Two: Pairing an external PTT button with an Android device
- Connect the hardware device to your phone/tablet.
- For a Bluetooth device: use manufacturers’ instructions to pair the device to your Android phone/tablet.
- For a wired device:
- Make sure that the setting “Use specialized wired PTT speaker-mic or headset” is toggled on in the management console.
- Plug the device into your phone/tablet.
2. On the main menu, select Options.
3. On the Options menu, select Push-to-talk buttons.
4. Select the blue “+” button to put the Zello app into pairing mode.
5. Press the PTT button on your device to pair it with Zello for use as a PTT button.
6. The new button will be added to your list automatically. This button will usually be named as the model and/or manufacturer’s name.
7. Test the PTT button by using it to send a message to your Echo contact.
Part Three: Using your button with or without a default channel selected
In order to use the PTT button without having to open the Zello app, the button will need to know to whom to send a message! You can use the button to send a message to a default channel selected in the management console, a channel or contact mapped from the mobile app settings, or without setting a default.
1. Using the button with an assigned default channel from the management console. Click here for instructions.
- If there is a default channel enabled from the management console, then the app will default to sending a message to the default channel. If you are on the talk screen for a different channel or contact, then the PTT button will send a message to that user/channel.
- If you close out of the app or the screen is locked, the message will go to the default channel, even if you last left the app on a talk screen for a different channel/user.
2. Using the button with no default channel or contact assignment.
- If you do not have a default channel or contact selected, then the PTT button can only be used to send a message if the Zello app is currently open to a talk screen or was open to a talk screen before being sent to the background by locking the phone/tablet or using another app.
- If the Zello app is left on a screen other than a talk screen, the PTT button can’t be used.
3. Using the button with a default channel or contact assigned within the App. See Part Four for instructions.
- If you have the button mapped to a particular channel/user, then you will only be able to use the button to send messages to that channel/user, even if the app is open to the talk screen for another channel/user.
- Note: mapping the button in the app overrides a default channel selected from the management console.
Part Four: Mapping a Default contact in the mobile App
1. Navigate to the Push-to-talk button screen as described in Parts One or Two, step three of this article.
2. Select your hardware device from the list of PTT buttons.
3. Select the dropdown button under “Button contact” and choose “Select…”
4. You will see that you have been taken to the contacts screen. You can either choose a contact to map to your button or switch to the channels screen to map the button to a channel instead. Simply tap on the channel or contact you wish to map to the button. The mapped contact can be changed or removed at any time using these steps.
Note: If you are using the Stone Mountain Mic, you can use the above steps to map an emergency contact to your SOS button. Unlike the default contact mapping, the in-app selection will be overridden if you have a designated Emergency Alerts channel in the management console.
Questions? Contact us or submit a new ticket for support-related inquiries.