How can I control my Windows from my Android?

“I'm using a Windows laptop. Could you please tell me how to control my Windows from my Android phone?”

-Question from Quora

How to control my laptop with my Android phone [5 ways]

This section offers 5 methods of how to control my laptop with my Android phone. We divided the routes into three categories to make it easier for you to find the one that is best for you. Their pros and cons are also discussed.

Case 1. Control a Windows laptop from an Android phone on the same network

If your Windows laptop and Android phone are on the same network, you can control the laptop via RDP or VNC.

Way 1. Control laptop from Android phone via RDP

RDP was developed by Microsoft and requires client and server software on both local and remote devices. Clients for most operating systems are available, and the server software is built into Windows 10 and 11.

★Pros and cons

Pros:

It is built into server computers, and doesn’t need to download.

Its client software (installed on the device used to connect) is available for multiple operating systems, including Linux.

Cons:

It can only be used when the two devices are on LAN or the same WiFi.

You can only use RDP to control Windows Professional, Ultimate, Pro, and Enterprise editions, Home and Standard editions are not included.

Part 1. Prepare Windows Remote Desktop on your PC

Step 1. On your PC, enable the Windows Remote Desktop. Press Win + R, input “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter.

Step 2. Go to the Remote tab, and ensure that "Allow remote connections to this computer" is checked. And then click OK.

Step 3. Press Win + R gain, input “cmd” and press Enter to open Command Prompt. Then type in “ipconfig” and press Enter. Now you can see a group of IP addresses, of which the IPv4 address is the one you need.

Step 4. Then type “query user” to see the PC name.

Part 2. Remotely control the PC from an Android device

Step 1. Download Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Android app store. First, install it, and then run it. Tap the "+" icon to select desktop, and then wait for the app to search your local network for connected PCs. You must manually add the one you want to connect to if it does not appear automatically.

Step 2. A security dialog will appear when you first connect to a remote server. Make sure to check the Never ask for connections to this PC checkbox before tapping Connect. Enter your Windows login information to access the remote PC.

Step 3. There you go. You’re now connected remotely to the Windows laptop you wanted.

Way 2. Remote connections between Android and PC using VNC

VNC is another tool that would allow you to remotely connect to your laptop from your Android phone.

★Pros and cons

Pros:

Its client and server software(installed on the device receiving connection)is widely compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You’ll even find a version for the Raspberry Pi.

Cons:

It does not support multiple screens.

Its coding method makes VNC slow.

It consumes a significant amount of bandwidth.

Part 1. Activate your VNC subscription

VNC requires a license to operate. To obtain this license, you must first create an account. There are two options; select the one that best suits your needs:

Step 1. Visit its official website and follow the on-screen instructions to create an account, such as a home account. Click Next.

Step 2. Register for an account, then log in.

Part 2. Download VNC Server on the laptop you want to control

The VNC Server software will need to be installed on the laptop you want to operate remotely.

Step 1. Download VNC Server and install.

Step 2. You should be prompted to license the VNC Server program when the installation finishes. But if not, select Licensing from the VNC Server shortcut menu.

Step 3. Apply your subscription to VNC Server by signing in using your RealVNC account credentials.

Part 3. Download VNC Viewer on your Android phone

Step 1. Download VNC Viewer from the app store to your Android phone.

Step 2. Enter your login information and confirm when prompted.

Step 3. After completing that, the machines on your team should appear on the app's home screen.

Step 4. Tap Connect and type the password to complete the connection process.

Case 2. How to connect to your laptop from your Android phone across the internet

How can I connect remotely if my laptop and Android device are not on the same network? Two methods for remotely controlling my laptop from my Android phone via the internet.

Way 1. Connect to laptop from Android phone via AnyViewer

AnyViewer is a remote control application for Windows and Android. It enables users to control their PCs remotely from their Android devices at any time.

★Pros and cons

Pros:

It supports remote connections over the local network and the internet.

It allows one to remotely control an unattended computer.

It is easy to set up, without any specific configurations even if the two devices are across the internet.

It offers fast and smooth connections.

It supports multiple monitors.

Cons:

File transfer is not supported at present.

It is only compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS at present.

Part 1. Set up AnyViewer on the PC (you want to control)

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AnyViewer on the computer.

Step 2. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

 Step 3. Fill in the signup information.

Step 4. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you’ve logged in to. 

Part 2. Set up AnyViewer on your Android phone

Step 1. Download AnyViewer for Android on the Android device.

Step 2. Log into the account you’ve signed up for above.

Step 3. The devices that have been logged into the same account will be displayed on My devices list.

Step 4. Tap your target PC and tap One-click control to quickly connect to the PC.

Step 5. Then you can fully control the remote PC from the Android device.

Way 2. Remotely control laptop from Android phone via Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop also has an Android version that allows remote connections between laptops and Android phones. Make sure you have a Chrome browser and a Google account on both of your devices before beginning any operations.

Part 1. Set up Chrome Remote Desktop extension on the computer

Step 1. Navigate to the Chrome Remote Desktop website using the Chrome browser. Click Remote Access and then click the download button.

Step 2. Click Add to Chrome to add the Chrome Remote Desktop extension to your Chrome browser.

Step 3. Click Accept & Install to install this program.

Step 4. Choose a name for your computer and click Next.

Step 5. Enter and re-enter a PIN with at least 6 numbers.

Part 2. Achieve remote connection on an Android phone

Step 1. Download and install Chrome Remote Desktop from Google Play and open it on your phone.

Step 2. Log in to the same Google account as on your computer, then you can see the list of devices. Tap the target computer you want to access.

Step 3. Enter the PIN for the remote computer.

Step 4. Now you can control your computer with Android.

Case 3. Remotely access laptop from your Android phone via Bluetooth

The final way is to remotely control laptop with phone via Bluetooth. The tool that will be used here is Unified Remote. It also supports controlling PC from Android via both Bluetooth and WiFi.

★Pros and cons

Pros:

Its server-side program widely supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Cons:

It doesn’t support long-distance remote connections.

Its free version comes with ads.

 

Part 1. Enable Bluetooth on both Android phone and laptop

Step 1. On the Android phone, from the top of the phone screen, swipe down to find the Bluetooth icon and turn it on.

Step 2. On the laptop, go to Settings, and click Devices.

Step 3. Check the Bluetooth option is “On” and click More Bluetooth options on the right panel.

Step 4. Tick Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC, and then click OK to apply the setting.

Step 5. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.

Step 6. In the Add a device window, select Bluetooth and click the Android phone you want to pair with, and click Connect.

Step 7. Then your phone will receive a pairing request, click Pair > OK.

Part 2. Control PC from Android via Bluetooth

Step 1. Download, install and start the latest Unified Remote on your PC and Android phone.

Step 2. On your phone, tap I HAVE INSTALLED THE NEW SERVER.

Step 3. You will see the main interface. Tape the additional menu icon and select Servers.

Step 4. Find and tap your target computer from the list of available servers.

Step 5. Now you can control your PC via Bluetooth.

Bonus tip: Can I control my Android phone from my computer?

Can I control my Android phone from PC? You certainly can. There are many third-party tools that would allow you to remotely control an Android phone from a computer. Here we’ll take AirDroid as an example.

One of the best remote access apps for Android is AirDroid, created by Sand Studio. You can use it to access Android from an iOS, Android, or PC device. Let's look at how to remotely control an Android phone from a PC using AirDroid.

★Pros and cons

Pros:

It offers a clipboard syncing and text sending feature.

It supports remote control over the local network and the internet.

It supports file transfer between devices.

It supports accessing the camera of the Android device remotely.

Cons:

It needs a premium version to transfer folders to the remote device.

AirMirror feature takes a lot to start.

On your Android Devices (you want to control):

Step 1. Download the AirDroid Personal App from the app store.

Step 2. Launch the AirDroid Personal App and sign in to your AirDroid account.

Step 3. Follow the instruction to complete the permission authority (if you have done this before, the instruction will not display).

On your Computer:

Step 1. Visit the website for AirDroid Desktop Client to download it.

Step 2. Log in using your AirDroid account (the same one that signs in on your Android device).

Step 3. Navigate to the Telescope icon (the third icon on the left menu bar). Choose the phone you want to control remotely. To make the connection, press the Remote Control button.

Step 4. When you launch the Remote Control session, the screen of your Android device will be mirrored to your computer, and you can control it with the keyboard and mouse.

The bottom line

This post primarily introduces 5 methods of how to control my laptop with my Android phone. We divided them into 3 situations. You can achieve remote control whether the 2 devices are on the same network or across the internet. Besides, you can also use Bluetooth to achieve remote control. Choose one according to your condition.