It is quite possible to control your PC remotely using your smartphone. Several applications allow you to achieve this little sleight of hand in no time. We explain the procedure to you.
You may have already found yourself in a situation where you need to access your computer without it being nearby. An urgent file to send, information to check, download an element, there are many reasons. It can also be a less pressing, but more technical desire, such as playing a game reserved for the PC or simply performing a few operations on the machine.
For several years, Windows 10 has offered Your Phone, which allows, among other things, to configure your smartphone remotely, but also to access its applications and data. Less known to the general public, the reverse is however quite possible. Simply using your Android phone, you can operate your PC without touching its keyboard or mouse. There are several solutions for this, which are detailed below.
How to control your PC remotely with Remote Desktop
If you want to access your PC simply by being in another room of your house, or globally by being connected to the same Wi-Fi network, then the Remote Desktop application is perfectly suited to your need. Note that it also works on Linux as well as on macOS via the iOS version.
RDP server is preinstalled on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7, apart from Home editions. If your PC is running on Linux, you will first need to enter the command sudo apt install xrdp in the Terminal. The procedure is a little more complicated on macOS, we advise you to carefully follow the instructions on the page Github of the project to install the server.
Once your computer is configured, it remains to install the smartphone application.
- Open the Play store or theApp Store then download the application Remote Desktop
- Accept the T & Cs after launching the application
- Click on the sign + at the top right of the screen to add a PC
- Select Add PC
- Enter the IP address of your PC in the section PC Name
- In the section User Account, select Add user account
- Enter the username and password you configured on your PC
- Click on Save
You now have access to your computer from your smartphone. In this way, you can add several PCs and control them remotely as long as they are connected to the same network.
How to control your PC remotely with VNC
Like Remote Desktop, VNC allows you to access PCs connected to the same network via your smartphone. The application is also available on Windows, macOS and Linux. For the more adventurous among you, there’s even a version for Raspberry Pi. Here’s how to use it:
- Meeting on This site and download VNC Server
- Install the application making sure to check the box Add Firewall Exception for VNC Server
- Log in to your VNC account then click on Apply
- On your smartphone, open the Play store or theApp Store then download the application VNC Viewer
- Once opened, log into your VNC account
- Click on the name of your PC that appears on the screen
- Enter the username and password you configured on your PC
The application then starts a tutorial phase to explain how it works. You are now connected to your PC. To cut off access, all you have to do is click on the button. X at the top right of the screen or simply close the application.
On the same subject: Android TV will allow you to use your smartphone as a remote control
How to control your PC remotely with Chrome Remote Desktop
If, however, you want to access your PC without being under the same roof, and therefore not being connected to the same network, don’t panic. Several applications allow you to control your PC remotely from your smartphone. On Android, we find in particular TeamViewer, Splashtop, LogMeIn or GoToMyPC. Just like the previous solutions, just install the server on your computer and the client on your phone and then enter the required information to get the precious sesame.
In this article, we’ll take a special look at Chrome Remote Desktop. This is one of the most popular solutions in the field, but also one of the most effective and simple to implement. We will explain everything to you :
- If you haven’t already, download and install Chrome
- Go to this site and download Chrome Remote Desktop
- Start the installation
- Come in the name of the PC on the Chrome page
- Enter a 6-digit code then click on Start
- On your smartphone, open the Play store or theApp Store then download the application Chrome Remote Desktop
- Open the app and select the PC configured earlier
- Enter the 6-digit code
And that’s it, you control your PC remotely, without needing to be connected to the same network. Here are three handy solutions for all your urgent or everyday needs. If we forgot one or know others, please share them with us in the comments!
