By Hester / Last Updated April 10, 2024

Can you remotely control a tablet?

 

Hi, I’m looking for a way to control a Windows computer on an Android device. How can I remote desktop from Android tablet to Windows PC?”

- Question from Windows Forum

Remote Desktop on Tablet

For most people, a remote connection with PC from mobile devices, for example, an Android tablet is becoming increasingly vital. By remotely controlling your PC from an Android device, you can view the screen, open files, and even utilize Windows apps on your mobile devices just like you were in front of that computer. Here’s how to remote into Windows PC from Android in 4 top ways.

How to remote desktop on tablet to Windows PC on the same network: 2 ways

If your Windows PC and Android tablet are on the same network, you can use RDP or VNC to have a remote connection by the following steps.

Way 1. Remote desktop on tablet through RDP

As the RDP-released app for iOS and Android, you can control a remote Windows computer from your Android tablet.

Pros & Cons
✔ Pros:
▷It is a Windows built-in feature, and you can use it without downloading.
▷Its client side supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.
✖ Cons:
▷It can only be used when the two devices are connected to the same Internet or WiFi.
▷It only supports Windows 10/11 Pro, Business, or Ultimate versions as the server side, Home, and Standard editions are not supported.
▷It doesn’t allow rebooting the remote computer and it locks the remote screen during the session.
▷It has an unstable connection. The entire remote desktop connection may break down if you don’t have a working and reliable network connection.

Step 1. Enable RDP on Windows 11/10

1. On your PC, press Win + R to invoke the Run dialogue box, type in “sysdm.cpl” and hit OK.

Run Command Sysdm

2. Go to the Remote interface, and ensure that "Allow remote connections to this computer" is checked. And then click OK.

Remote Desktop Tab

3. Press Win + R, input “cmd” and hit OK to open Command Prompt. Then type in “ipconfig” and press Enter. Now you can see a list of IP addresses, keep in mind the IPv4 Address.

Find the Computer Name in the Console

4. Then type “query user” and note down the username.

Find the Username in the Control Panel

Step 2. Control PC from tablet via RD Client

1. On your Android tablet, download and install RD Client. You can download it from Google Play.

Android Tablet RD Client

2. Open the software. Tap the “+” icon and choose Add PC.

Android Tablet RD Add PC

3. The app will scan for the remote computers nearby. Tap the remote computer you want to connect to.

Android Tablet RD Client PC Detection

4. If you can’t locate the target PC in the list, tap Add manually, fill in the necessary information, select the related settings based on your need, and tap Save.

Android Tablet RD Client Manually Add PC

5. Then the remote session you just created will be present in the interface. Tap it to remote control the PC.

Android Tablet RD Client PCs

6. If there is a message that mentions that the certificate can’t be verified, check the box Never ask again for connection to this PC and tap Connect.

Android Tablet RD Certificate Error

7. Once you get access to the remote desktop, you can control your PC successfully.

Android Tablet RD Connection

Way 2. Remote desktop from tablet via VNC

Except for RDP, VNC is also available for you to remote PC from Android.

Pros & Cons
✔ Pros:
▷It is compatible with multiple systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Android, and iOS.
▷It supports remote printing, real-time chat, and file sharing.
✖ Cons:
▷It does not support multiple monitors.
▷It uses a lot of bandwidth, so you have to lower the resolution for quicker transfers.
▷It runs slower because most of the basic form of VNC code uses raw encoding.

Step 1. Activate your VNC subscription

VNC requires a license to operate, and you must create an account to obtain the license. Here are two options for you to choose from:

►Home license. If you are looking for personal use, you can activate a Home subscription at no cost, which provides basic remote control of one computer.
►Professional or Enterprise license. It is available to control between 2 and 10 computers. These types of licenses cost money, but you can enjoy 14-day free trials for the first time.

1. Go to the VNC official website and follow the on-screen instructions to create an account, such as a home account. Click Next.

VNC Home Account

2. Fill in the information and click Next to log in.

Sign up and Sign in

Step 2. Download the VNC Server on the host computer

1. Download VNC Server and install it on the computer you want to remote into.

2. License the VNC Server program when the installation finishes. If not, select Licensing from the VNC Server shortcut menu.

Licensing VNC

3. Sign in to your RealVNC account to apply for your subscription.

Sign in to License VNC Server

Step 3. Tablet remote desktop to Windows PC

1. Download VNC Viewer on your Android tablet. You can download it from Google Play.

Android Tablet Download VNC

2. Log in to your RealVNC account.

Sign in VNC Android

3. Then you can see the available computers, tap the target one, and tap Connect.

Android Tablet VNC Connect

4. If there is a pop-up window, type in the username and password. Tap Continue to achieve the connection.

Android Tablet Authentication

How to Remote desktop on tablet to Windows PC over the Internet: 2 ways

If your Android tablet and your PC are not on the same network, you can use AnyViewer or Chrome Remote Desktop to control PC from Android tablet.

Way 1. Remote PC from tablet via AnyViewer [simplest]

AnyViewer is a professional remote desktop software that allows you to remote Windows PC from Android and iOS devices without any complicated steps.

Pros & Cons
✔ Pros:
▷It is easy to set up both on the same or different networks.
▷It offers you a stable and fast connection.
▷It allows unattended remote access with only one click.
▷It supports multiple monitors.
▷It offers several considerate features. For example, virtual mouse and keyboard, hide desktop wallpaper, access in privacy mode, CMD mode, rotate the screen, etc.
▷You can change the image quality manually due to your network environment.
✖ Cons:
▷It only supports Windows, Android, and iOS at present.

Step 1. Deploy AnyViewer on the remote computer

1. Download and install AnyViewer on your Windows computer.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

2. Sign up for an AnyViewer account for free. (Log in directly if you have already signed up.)

Log in to AnyViewer

3. When you log in to AnyViewer successfully, you can see the assigned devices.

AnyViewer Home Interface

Step 2. Unattended remote desktop on tablet

Tips: In this part, we will take an Android phone as an example, you can do similar steps on your Android tablet. Furthermore, you can also remotely access a PC from iPhone or iPad via AnyViewer.

1. Download, install, and open AnyViewer for Android.

2. Log in to the same account you registered on the computer.

Log in to AnyViewer for Android

3. Go to the Device interface and tap the target computer you want to control.

My Devices in AnyViewer

4. Tap the One-click control option to achieve an unattended remote connection.

AnyViewer for Android Operations

5. Then you can control Windows PC from Android. Besides, there are three operation options at the bottom right corner.

  • Button 1: Turn on/off the virtual mouse.
  • Button 2: Open the virtual keyboard.
  • Button 3: Open the shortcuts menu, then you can rotate the screen, hide desktop wallpaper, etc.

AnyViewer for Android Remote Control

Way 2. Remote desktop from tablet via Chrome Remote Desktop

If you have a Google account and a Chrome browser on both of your devices, you can also use Chrome Remote Desktop Android version to remote into Windows PC from Android.

Pros & Cons
✔ Pros:
▷It’s convenient to download if you have the Chrome browser installed.
▷It works fine for short-term individual use.
✖ Cons:
▷It only works with Google Chrome browser and a Google account is required to use the program.
▷It may cause security issues because it has a dubious safety level and an unknown encryption algorithm.
▷The connection is unstable and it has limited features. For example, no chat box, no resolution scaling, etc.

Step 1. Set up Chrome Remote Desktop extension on the computer

1. Launch the Chrome browser and search for the Chrome Remote Desktop website. Click Remote Access on the left panel and click the download button.

Set up Remote Access

2. Click Add to Chrome to add the Chrome Remote Desktop extension to your Chrome browser.

Add to Chrome

3. Click Accept & Install to install this program.

Ready to Install

4. Choose a name for your computer and click Next.

Choose Name

5. Enter and re-enter a PIN with six or more digits.

Choose a Pin

Step 2. Control PC from Android tablet

1. Download the Chrome Remote Desktop Android app, then install and open it.

2. Use the same Google account you logged on to your computer. From the list of computers, tap the target one you want to remote control.

Chrome Remote Desktop Android Computers

3. Enter the PIN for the remote computer.

Chrome Remote Desktop Android Enter Pin

4. Now you can control your computer from your Android tablet.

Android Tablet Chrome Remote Desktop Connection

Conclusion

Now you can choose from the 4 best solutions for remote desktop on tablet according to your needs. Besides, we listed the pros and cons of the application in each part, so you may have a general understanding of them and make your own decision.

Among all the applications, we recommend you use AnyViewer, which is highly appreciated for its operations and features. It can not only help you control your PC remotely from a tablet but also allows you to control Android devices from PC through similar steps.

FAQs

Which tablets are compatible with Remote Desktop?

Many tablets running on popular operating systems like iOS (iPad), Android, and Windows are compatible with Remote Desktop applications. However, it's essential to check the specific requirements of the Remote Desktop software you plan to use to ensure compatibility.

Can I access any computer with Remote Desktop on my tablet?

You can access any computer or server that is configured for remote access and reachable over the internet or a local network. However, you may need proper permissions and credentials to connect to the remote machine.

Are there any limitations to remoting my desktop on my tablets?

While Remote Desktop on tablets offers great flexibility, there may be limitations such as the inability to use certain keyboard shortcuts or gestures that are specific to desktop operating systems. Additionally, tasks requiring high processing power or complex graphical rendering may not perform optimally on some tablets.

Is the tablet remote desktop suitable for gaming?

While it's technically possible to use Remote Desktop on tablets for gaming, it's not always the best option due to factors like latency and graphical performance limitations. For optimal gaming experience, it's recommended to use native gaming applications designed for tablets.