Full Tutorial: How to Use Android Microsoft Remote Desktop

How do I use Microsoft Remote Desktop on Android?

“How do I use Android Microsoft Remote Desktop to control my computer from my Android phone remotely?”

-Question from Reddit

How to use Android Microsoft Remote Desktop

Microsoft Remote Desktop, also known as RDP, was developed by Microsoft and requires client software on a local device and server software on a remote device to achieve remote connections. Microsoft Remote Desktop also provides an Android version, allowing users to remotely access their computers from Android phones. Let’s see the pros and cons of Android Microsoft Remote Desktop first and learn how to use Microsoft Remote Desktop on Android then.

By the way, Microsoft Remote Desktop is also available for iOS, called RD Client. Microsoft Remote Desktop iOS version allows you to remotely control your computer from iPhone or iPad.

★Pros and cons of Android Microsoft Remote Desktop

✔ 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 other than Android, for example, iOS, Linux, and macOS.

✖ Cons:

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

It requires a complex configuration on the computer side.

 You can only use your Android phone to control computers running 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. Enable Windows Remote Desktop on your PC. Press Win+ R, enter "sysdm.cpl" into the prompt, and press Enter.

Step 2. Select the Remote tab and check the box next to “Allow remote connections to this computer”. Then press the OK button.

Step 3. To open Command Prompt, press Win + R, then type "cmd" and press Enter. Next, type “ipconfig” and press Enter to get the IP address. Now, a list of IP addresses should appear. IPv4 address is the one you’ll need later.

Step 4. Then type “query user” to find 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.

Bonus tip: An easier way to remotely control PC from Android phone

AnyViewer is the best Microsoft Remote Desktop Android alternative if you want an easier way to control your computer remotely from your Android phone. It is a remote control application for Windows and Android that allows users to control their PCs remotely from their Android devices at any time.

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

Step 1. Download and install AnyViewer on your computer.

Step 2. Go to Log in, and then Register now. (You can log in directly if you have already signed up on its official website)

Step 3. Complete the sign-up form.

Step 4. You have successfully logged into AnyViewer now. Your device will be automatically assigned to the account to which you have logged in.

Part 2. Start control on your Android phone

Step 1. Install AnyViewer for Android on your Android device.

Step 2. Log in to the account you created above.

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

Step 4. Tap your target PC and then One-click control to connect to it quickly.

Step 5. The Android device can then take full control of the remote PC. Android can even run Windows applications.

Note: AnyViewer also has an iOS version, so you can remotely access a PC from iPhone or iPad.

The bottom line

This post primarily provides a full tutorial on how to use Android Microsoft Remote Desktop. Meanwhile, we recommend a Microsoft Remote Desktop Android alternative AnyViewer. With it, you can easily control your computer on your Android from anywhere you want. Besides, it is perfectly compatible with multiple versions of Windows.