How to control an Android smartphone from a computer screen

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Useful for everyone who is tired of being distracted by their phone while working.

To control your mobile device from your computer, you need one of the services listed below. Each of them displays the smartphone interface in a separate window and allows you to work with applications using the keyboard and mouse. You can, for example, type text and even swipe with the cursor. The display quality will depend both on the chosen service and on the power of your devices.

With ApowerMirror

ApowerMirror service works with Windows and macOS. It is simple, convenient and functional. The free version not only broadcasts the Android interface and allows you to control it, but also can take screenshots and record three-minute videos of the mobile screen. You can also view Android notifications on your computer and transfer files between your smartphone and PC.

At the same time, the service displays a watermark and sometimes displays ads. To get rid of them, you can buy a VIP account for $ 13, which in addition removes the three-minute restriction on the display recording function and unlocks the full screen mode. In addition, VIP users can connect not one, but up to four devices at the same time.

ApowerMirror allows you to control your smartphone via USB and Wi-Fi. Everything works a little faster through the cable. To start using the service, you just need to connect the devices to each other.

How to connect an Android smartphone via USB:

1. Download ApowerMirror and install it on your computer.
2. Launch the program and go to the USB Connection tab.
3. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone.
4. Connect your smartphone to your computer via a cable and issue all the permissions that ApowerMirror and Android ask for.
5. When the name of your smartphone is displayed in the ApowerMirror menu, click on it and wait for the connection.

How to connect an Android ‑ smartphone via Wi ‑ Fi:

1. Connect your computer and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Download and install ApowerMirror desktop and mobile.
3. Launch ApowerMirror on your computer and go to the WiFi Connection tab.
4. Launch ApowerMirror on your smartphone and click on the blue round button.
5. When the app detects your computer, click on your PC name and select Phone Screen Mirroring.
6. Grant all the permissions that ApowerMirror asks for and wait for the connection.
7. If the program displays an Android interface on the computer, but it does not respond to the mouse, connect once via USB according to the above instructions. After that, the mouse should work for Wi-Fi connections.

If you need to transfer files between devices, launch the ApowerMirror mobile app. Then, in a computer browser, open a special site and scan the QR code that appears on the screen with the application. You will be taken to the web interface for file sharing.

With Vysor

If ApowerMirror isn't for you, you can try Vysor as an alternative. But this service is in many ways inferior to the previous one.

Vysor clients are available for Windows, macOS and Linux. There is even an app for Google Chrome. Alas, the free version of Vysor broadcasts the smartphone screen in not the best quality, shows ads and only allows the device to be connected via USB. In addition to controlling the smartphone, it only allows you to take screenshots.

To improve picture quality, unlock screen recording, Wi-Fi connectivity, and file management, you need to buy a $ 2.5 / month subscription. For lifetime access to these features, you need to make a one-time payment - $ 40.

How to connect an Android smartphone:

1. Download Vysor desktop program or version for Google Chrome browser and launch it.
2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone.
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer via a cable and issue all the permissions that the devices ask for.
4. When the name of your smartphone is displayed in the Vysor menu, click View and wait for the connection.