Microsoft has released the Remote Desktop app for Android and iOS to help IT professionals connect to Windows 8.1 PCs and Windows Server 2012 R2 machines at work. But of course, the app is not limited to professionals only, the Microsoft Remote Desktop app is free and anyone can download it on an Android or iOS device, i.e. a phone or tablet. I have personally used the app on my Samsung Galaxy S3 to connect to various Windows 8.1 devices and the user experience has exceeded my expectations.
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
 Matty McTech | 2023-04-24 20:00:22 |  1,132,474 Views |
Control your PC with a phone?
Installation and remote PC configuration is straightforward, assuming of course that you know how to find your computer's name or have a basic understanding of what an IP address is. To configure a new remote connection, all you need to do is assign a connection name, a computer name or IP address, and your login information, then tap the connection to establish the connection.
First off, I'll say that the app connects really quickly and the network compression is absolutely great, but you will notice some lag depending on your wireless connection. What impressed me most is that the Microsoft Remote Desktop app also supports touch input over the network, so all the Windows 8.1 gestures in the app work even on small screens. You can pinch to zoom, bring up charms, or scroll through apps by swiping from the right or left edge of the screen, just like you normally would on Surface or any other Windows 8.1 tablet.
When you connect to a remote PC, you see a semi-transparent black toolbar with three items: full screen button, name of the PC you are connecting to, and keyboard button. Full screen mode lets you see the remote desktop in its native resolution, so you may need to scroll to see parts of the desktop. This can be useful for better readability.
