Do you have a PC in your room and would like to control it from the sofa or bed using your beloved smartphone or tablet with Android or iOS operating system?
Nothing could be easier, you can control the PC from smartphone simply by installing a specific App on your device, smartphone or tablet (this guide applies to both operating systems, ie Android and iOS ) and installing its program on the PC you want check, so as to prepare it for remote control.
In this guide, I will give you the opportunity to choose between different program alternatives to use, starting from the most used (TeamViewer) to follow other good alternatives, showing all the effective methods to control the PC from Android or iOS both when you are at home (under the same WiFi network) both when you are away from home with your smartphone and you left your PC on at home.
How to control the PC from a Smartphone
TeamViewer
TeamViewer is without a doubt one of the best programs to control the PC from Android and iOS.
The program is free for personal use, so to use it, just install it on the PC to check and get the app for your smartphone or tablet.
You can download TeamViewer for Windows using the following link.
DOWNLOAD | TeamViewer
Once installed and started it will be presented with its home screen.
For remote access, just remember the id and password provided by the program under the option Allow remote Access.
Using these credentials you can enter the PC from your smartphone and tablet, checking everything that happens on the screen, as well as controlling the keyboard and mouse.
To automate access to TeamViewer you can use the entries available under the Automatic Access section, taking care to create a TeamViewer account with which to manage the PC without where every time enter the credentials (the access will be automatic, just turn on the PC ).
Once the program is installed on the PC to be checked, you can install the free TeamViewer app on your Android or iOS device.
The app is available at the following link.
DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID | TeamViewer for Remote Control
DOWNLOAD FOR IOS | TeamViewer for Remote Control
Using the app is simple: opening it will ask you the credentials of the PC to be configured in the Connect tab.
If, on the other hand, you have configured automatic login, simply enter the Computer tab, enter the account credentials and select the PC to be controlled remotely.
Now you can control the PC from your phone or tablet both when you are at home and when you are away from home.
Chrome Remote Desktop
A good alternative to TeamViewer is offered by Chrome Remote Desktop.
This app allows you to control your PC from Android or iOS using the Google Chrome browser, which must be present on your PC so you can control your PC remotely.
Install (in case you have not already done so) Google Chrome on your PC from the following link.
DOWNLOAD | Google Chrome
Now get the Chrome Remote Desktop app from the following link.
DOWNLOAD | Chrome Remote Desktop
At the end of the installation you will be able to find the app by opening a new tab of the Chrome browser and typing:
chrome://apps
At the first opening of the app you will be asked to enter your Google credentials (if you already have Google Chrome configured with the Google account you just need to choose the account) and confirm the permissions in the window that will appear.
After this initial configuration you will find the program screen.
To check the PC from phone or tablet click on the item How to start this in My Computer section.
Click on the Activate remote connections item. A new window will appear, which will let you download Chrome Remote Desktop Host to your PC, which is essential for controlling your PC from an Android or iOS phone or tablet.
Click on Accept and install; the browser will download an MSI file to be installed on your PC to enable remote control.
Finished installation? Now Chrome Remote Desktop will ask us to configure a PIN for the PC on which you have just activated the remote control.
Now you can control the PC from your smartphone or tablet!
Without closing the Chrome Remote Desktop app on your PC, download the following free app to your mobile device.
DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID | Chrome Remote Desktop
DOWNLOAD FOR IOS | Chrome Remote Desktop
Launch the app and select the PC to be controlled remotely.
You will be asked for the password you set up shortly before.
Now you can control your PC from Android or iOS, both when you’re at home and when you’re away from home.
Microsoft Remote Desktop
If you have Windows in Professional version you can use the tool provided by Microsoft to control the PC from Android or iOS.
NOTE: If you have a Home or Windows base version, you will not be able to use this feature.
To properly configure remote connections on Windows you can use Microsoft Remote Desktop assistant, downloadable on your PC for free from the following link.
DOWNLOAD | Microsoft Remote Desktop assistant
Alternatively you can configure the PC manually with the following steps.
On Windows 10 open the Start menu and type Remote Access; among the searched items select Allow remote access to the Computer.
In the window that will open, put the check mark in the Allow remote connections to computer, then press OK.
The PC is ready to be controlled remotely!
Download the specific app for Android from the following link.
DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID | Microsoft Remote Desktop
DOWNLOAD FOR IOS | Microsoft Remote Desktop
Once the installation is complete, start the app, use the top right button (in the form of +) and select the Desktop item.
Your PC will appear, ready to be controlled remotely.
Alternative Apps to control computers from smartphones
There are numerous other apps that you can try to control the PC from a smartphone.
The operating scheme of these apps is similar to when seen so far: you will need to install a server on your PC, then check it all with the dedicated app.
The apps you can try to control the PC from Android or iOS smartphones are: