Y'all've probably wished y'all could control your Android device from your PC at times. Maybe your telephone is at the bottom of your purse, or you're in class and want a subtle manner to message someone. Or peradventure you need to blazon a lot of text or wait at something on a bigger screen.

Fortunately, it's like shooting fish in a barrel to admission your Android telephone from a computer. Here are the all-time options, from one that's already built into Windows to a full-screen mirroring app.

one. Control Your Android Phone From Windows 10

If you're using Windows, then you lot've already got a basic way to access your phone from your reckoner. This works through the Your Phone app in Windows 10.

Your Telephone is a built-in app that enables yous to come across your 25 most contempo photos, send and receive text letters, and manage calls on your PC. Microsoft likewise provides a screen-mirroring feature, which supports a limited number of devices.

To set Your Phone:

  1. Update the Your Phone app in Windows, and install Your Phone Companion on Android.
  2. Log into your Microsoft account on both devices.
  3. Launch the app on your phone and PC, then follow the on-screen instructions to link the two.

The setup procedure tin be a little temperamental, but one time it'south going it works pretty well. If you just need a quick way to answer texts on your laptop, information technology's worth trying.

two. Access Your Phone From a Computer With AirDroid

access android on pc with airdroid

AirDroid is like a much more than powerful version of Your Phone. Information technology gives you desktop access to most of the of import features on your phone, and you lot don't even need to create an business relationship to use it. While AirDroid is free, you tin subscribe to the premium version for even more features.

The service offers a desktop app for Windows and Mac, merely you don't demand those since it works in whatever major spider web browser on any platform. This is super easy, and makes it safe to use on a shared computer.

AirDroid lets yous control your Android phone from a PC over the internet, or via Wi-Fi if both devices are connected to the same network.

To become started with AirDroid:

  1. Install AirDroid on your telephone. Take the permissions requests when prompted.
  2. Open a browser on your desktop or laptop and become to spider web.airdroid.com. A page will load showing a QR code.
  3. Launch AirDroid on your phone and tap the Browse icon at the top of the screen aslope AirDroid Spider web.
  4. Browse the QR lawmaking.
  5. Tap Sign In (even if y'all oasis't created an account).
  6. You lot're now connected. Your phone's features are accessible in the browser window.
scan airdroid qr code

The AirDroid Web interface resembles a desktop and looks cracking if you switch to total-screen style. You can see your available apps and functions on the left, with tools and info about your telephone on the right. At the acme is a panel that you tin can apply to search for apps, make calls, set alarms, and then on.

AirDroid Features

access photo gallery on airdroid

AirDroid doesn't work with 3rd-party apps, so you lot tin't use Snapchat on your laptop. But that'south the only major limitation. It packs a ton of functionality elsewhere.

You can make calls, plus transport and read text messages. It likewise provides access to the photos and videos stored on your phone, likewise as locally saved music.

In addition, in that location are lots of tools that seamlessly link your telephone and desktop. You can wirelessly move data from your PC to your phone, enter a URL on the desktop and take the webpage open on your phone, and install APK files remotely.

You do need an account for a few features, and some are express with the free version. The upgrade to AirDroid Premium costs $3.99 per month, or $29.99 for a year, but all bated from the most advanced users should detect the gratis option sufficient.

Download: AirDroid (Free, subscription bachelor)

3. Remotely Access Android From a PC With AirDroid Cast

airdroid cast

AirDroid supports a basic mirroring characteristic, but for more control you lot tin can use AirDroid Cast, which lets you command your telephone from your desktop.

To go started, you need to download AirDroid Cast for Windows or Mac, as well as the Android AirDroid Cast app on your phone.

Now launch the apps on both devices. In your desktop app yous'll come across a QR code; tap the Scan icon, scan the code, then tap Kickoff Casting. For security purposes, you lot'll be prompted to Permit on your desktop and Start now on your phone.

Afterward this, you lot'll be connected. AirDroid Cast but allows basic mirroring in the free version, merely if yous want total touch control via your Windows PC or Mac you can upgrade for $3.49 a month. In that location's a free trial also, and then you tin can make sure it fits your needs.

Unlike AirDroid, yous tin work with 3rd-party apps in Cast, and you lot can also move files to and from your phone. Because the app mirrors your telephone's screen, you demand to keep the screen turned on in club to use it.

Download: AirDroid Cast for Android | Windows | Mac (Free, subscription available)

4. Control an Android Phone From a PC With Vysor

Vysor works in a similar way to AirDroid Cast. It'due south bachelor for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome Bone. Information technology comes in free and paid versions. The free version is good enough to requite you lot a sense of taste of what's on offer, simply it'due south limited—information technology includes ads and you tin just utilize a wired connection.

But what makes Vysor great is that there'due south about no setup or configuration process. You must enable USB Debugging, simply that'south all. Just install Vysor on your computer and connect your phone. Everything happens automatically.

An app is pushed to your Android device along the way. If y'all ever want to uninstall this, y'all tin do and so past going to Settings > Apps & notifications on your Android device.

Vysor Features

Once installation is complete, you lot'll see your phone's screen mirrored in a window on your desktop. There are handy buttons to take screenshots, record your screen, and control the book. You can exercise everything else with your mouse on the virtual touchscreen.

Considering Vysor is a screen-mirroring service, there's no business concern about app compatibility. Anything that runs on your phone will be useable on the desktop. This includes gaming, though lag will be an upshot in games that demand fast reactions.

Download: Vysor for Windows | Mac | Linux (Free, subscription available)

Other Ways to Command Your Phone From a PC

At that place are a few other apps you can look at for the purpose of accessing your phone from a computer. MightyText is built mostly around messaging, like to Your Phone. Meanwhile, Pushbullet is closer to AirDroid, albeit a more expensive pick.

In addition, there's ApowerMirror, a screen mirroring app similar to Vysor. Information technology comes with a standalone app for Windows and Mac, with limitations on the free version. The upgrade to the full app is pricier than Vysor.

There'south also a costless, open source app called Scrcpy, which offers similar features to those you'd accept to pay for in Vysor. This sounds perfect, simply unfortunately information technology'southward far from convenient. The setup process is more than involved, and you can only adjust the app's settings through the command line. Still, it's worth looking into if you lot're a more advanced user.

Use Android on a Desktop With an Emulator

Now you know the best options for using your Android phone from a laptop or desktop. They let you handle your devices from whatever works best at the moment.

One other option is to not control your phone directly, but to utilize an emulator instead. This lets you to use your favorite mobile apps or play smartphone games on your laptop by running Android inside an app.

Image Credit: Denys Prykhodov/Shutterstock

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Andy Betts (216 Articles Published)

Andy is a freelance writer and junior editor for Android at MUO. He's been writing about consumer tech since the early 2000s for a wide range of publications, and has a passion for all things mobile.

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