Techniques are described for pairing an input device to a display device in a vehicle infotainment system and choosing communication modes between the input device and the vehicle infotainment system. In certain embodiments, in response to detecting the presence of the input device, and based on an identity of a user associated with the input device or a detected location associated with the input device, a display device may be selected from a plurality of display devices of the vehicle infotainment system. Finally, the system may pair the input device with the selected display device and a communication mode may be selected whereby the input device can communicate with the vehicle infotainment system.