Control Android from PC: A Guide with AirDroid
AirDroid: Wireless Android Management from Your PC
AirDroid for Android offers a convenient alternative to using a USB cable for connecting your Android device to your computer. It enables seamless file transfers, text messaging, music playback, photo viewing, and application management, all accessible through a web browser or a dedicated desktop client.
The AirDroid application is available for free. It operates by establishing a web server, facilitating communication between your Android device and your computer over a network connection.
Getting Started with AirDroid
AirDroid can be downloaded at no cost from the Android Market. To enable file transfers between your Android device and your PC, account registration is required. This registration also unlocks the ability to utilize AirDroid over the Internet, extending functionality beyond a local Wi-Fi network.
Upon initial launch, the app prompts you to either sign in or create a new account. If you haven't already registered through a web browser, you can complete the signup process directly from within the application. After successfully creating your account, proceed to sign in to AirDroid on your device.
Following sign-in, a dialog box appears, offering the option to enable real-time notification mirroring from your phone to your PC. To activate this feature immediately, simply tap “Enable”. Alternatively, you can configure this setting later within the app’s settings menu.
If you selected “Enable”, the “Notification access” screen will be displayed. Locate and check the box next to “AirDroid Notification Mirror Service”. If you chose “Later”, you can skip the subsequent two steps.
A confirmation dialog will then appear. Tap “OK” to proceed.
A check mark should now be visible next to “AirDroid Notification Mirror Service”, confirming that the service is active. Press the “Back” button on your Android device to return to the main AirDroid application.
Within the AirDroid app, a unique web address will be displayed.
Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the provided URL. The primary AirDroid web interface will load, and a dialog box will appear, prompting you to sign in if you have a registered account. To establish a connection between your PC and your device, tap the QR code within the AirDroid app. This will activate your device’s camera.
Position the camera to scan the QR code displayed on your PC screen under “Scan QR code”. Your device will automatically recognize the QR code and initiate a connection to your computer.
If both your Android device and your PC are connected to the same network, AirDroid will utilize “Local Connection Mode” for communication.
NOTE: Should your Android device and PC be connected to different local networks but both have internet access, AirDroid will automatically switch to “Remote Connection Mode”.
Exploring AirDroid’s Home Screen in Your Browser
Once the connection is established, you’ll be presented with AirDroid’s main page, offering links and key statistics related to your device. In the bottom right corner, you can view the Wi-Fi signal strength, cellular coverage indicators, and the battery level of your Android device.
For a more detailed overview of your phone’s specifications, click the “Detail” button located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
A dialog box will appear, displaying comprehensive information about your device’s storage capacity and the files it contains. To close this dialog, click the “X” button in the upper-right corner.
File Transfer and Management
To access the contents of your phone’s internal storage or SD card, click the “Files” icon on the left side of the screen.
Deleting files from this interface can be a quicker method for cleaning up your file system compared to using a file manager directly on your Android device. Utilize the right-click menu to manage files – “Delete” permanently removes them, while “Download” transfers them to your computer.
If you prefer a list-based view, use the “List view” button on the toolbar at the top of the “Files” dialog box.
The “Download as ZIP” option in the right-click menu allows you to download multiple files or directories as a single compressed archive.
To add files to your device wirelessly, use the “Upload” button. Click the “X” button in the upper-right corner of the dialog box to close it, and repeat for the “Files” dialog box.
The “Upload files” dialog box will appear. Drag and drop files from your PC into this dialog box to initiate the transfer to your device. Files will be saved in the directory that was open when you opened the “Upload files” dialog box. Close the “Upload files” and “Files” dialog boxes by clicking the “X” button in their respective upper-right corners.
Within the AirDroid app on your device, you can access the transferred files. A notification badge on the “File Transfer” icon indicates new transfers. Tap the icon to view them.
Different transfer methods are available, including AirDroid Web (as demonstrated) and AirDroid Desktop (which will be covered later). Tap “AirDroid Web” in the “Me” list on the “File Transfer” screen. Note the unviewed badge on the “AirDroid Web” option.
Transferred files between your device and PC are listed on the “AirDroid Web” screen. Tap a file on the “AirDroid Web” screen to access various options for actions you can take, such as sharing or opening the file, depending on its type.
Sending and Receiving Text Messages
The “Messages” panel allows you to send and receive SMS messages.
Engage in conversations directly from your web browser, eliminating the need to pick up your Android device for typing.
Accessing Contacts and Call Logs
The “Contacts” panel provides access to your Android’s contacts, enabling actions such as sending messages or initiating calls. You can also edit contact information from your phone using the browser interface.
The “Call Logs” panel allows you to review your call history.
Playing Music and Managing Ringtones
Utilize the “Music” panel to transform your Android device into a remote jukebox. Search for and play music stored on your device. The same “Upload” and “Download” options available for file transfers are also accessible within the “Music” panel, facilitating music file transfers to and from your device.
Ringtones can be managed independently using the “Ringtones” panel. You can upload and download ringtones to and from your device, and even set a custom ringtone directly from the interface.
Viewing Photos
The “Photos” panel allows you to view your photos on a larger screen.
Managing Apps
The “Apps” panel provides a view of all installed applications on your device. You can search for specific apps, view them by icon or in a list, uninstall them, or even download the .apk file.
To install an app from an APK file on your PC, use the “Install App” button to upload it to your device and initiate the installation process.
Confirmation prompts for app removal and installation will appear on your Android device.
Using the Clipboard
For seamless copy and paste between your computer and Android device, utilize the “Clipboard” feature. To copy text to your Android device, paste it into the “Clipboard” box and click the blue arrow button. This will place the text into your device’s clipboard, allowing you to paste it into any app, text message, or email.
To copy text from your device to your PC, copy the desired text on your device. Then, open the “Clipboard” tool in your browser and click the “Refresh” button (two round arrows). The copied text will appear in the “Clipboard” box.
Utilizing the AirDroid Desktop App
AirDroid now offers desktop applications for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Download and install the AirDroid desktop app, then launch it. Sign in using the same account credentials you used on your device. You can perform many of the same tasks as the web client, including file transfers, SMS messaging, and access to call logs and contacts.
Disconnecting Your Device and PC
When you’ve finished using AirDroid, you can disconnect your device and PC by signing out within the browser interface.
Alternatively, you can disconnect by tapping the “Disconnect” button within the app. To close the AirDroid app, tap the menu button (three vertical dots) in the upper-right corner of the screen and select “Exit” from the menu.
If you’re using the AirDroid desktop app, you can disconnect by right-clicking the AirDroid icon in the notification tray and selecting “Sign out” from the popup menu.
With AirDroid, you can minimize your reliance on a USB cable, managing your Android device conveniently from your web browser.