Remote access to and control of Android devices via Wi-Fi.
Up until now, for remote access to my smartphone – for example, for screencasts – I’d been using “droidVNC“.
Video tutorial
What is droidVNC?
droidVNC-NG is a free, open-source app that allows you to conveniently control Android smartphones and tablets remotely from a PC via the local network. What makes this solution special is that, unlike many older tools, it does not require root access.
Instead, the app uses standard Android interfaces to transmit the screen content to any VNC client (such as TigerVNC or UltraVNC) on the computer. At the same time, mouse and keyboard inputs from the PC are executed directly on the Android device.
Installation on your smartphone
The app can be installed via the App Store or, alternatively, via F-Droid.
Start and configuration
Once launched, we can manage settings such as the password or whether remote control should be enabled. A few permissions need to be granted in the Android system.
Now we tap Start and see the IP address to which we can now connect.
Connection from the PC
On the PC, we simply launch the VNC client, enter the IP address, click ‘Connect’ and we’re done. Provided the control function is active, we can remotely control the smartphone using the mouse and keyboard, and type longer texts. It’s handy to do this via Wi-Fi, without any cables.
VNC clients for various operating systems
There are countless versions of VNC clients available for all operating systems. Here is a small selection:
- Windows: TightVNC
- macOS: RealVNC Viewer
- Linux: Remmina
- Android: bVNC
- iOS: RealVNC Viewer
Conclusion
droidVNC works seamlessly and without root access. Ideal for setting up from a smartphone when you need to enter longer texts. You can also use it for remote maintenance via a VPN. It’s all free and open source.