How To Connect PC To Android Phone Or Tablet To Use As A Second Monitor

Being able to see multiple windows at the same time can significantly improve your productivity and save you from constantly switching between various applications. A second monitor is by far the best way how to extend your current screen real estate, but a new monitor isn’t exactly a small purchase. What if you could use your current Android phone or tablet as a second monitor? With Spacedesk, you can! This article will show you how to use Spacedesk to extend your Windows desktop in just a few minutes and with no additional cost.

How To Connect PC To Android Phone Or Tablet To Use As A Second Monitor

Step 1: Install Spacedesk Driver Software on Your PC

The first step is to install Spacedesk driver software on your Windows PC. You can download it from here, and it works with Windows 7, 8, and 10. There are two versions of the software available for download: 32bit and 64bit. The former is a legacy version for older computers that don’t support the 64bit address space. It will work even on newer machines, but you may notice some minor performance issues. To check whether you’re using a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system, open the Start menu and type “About.” Open the About your PC application and look for a field labeled “System type.”

Step 2: Install the Spacedesk App on Your Android Device

The next step is to install the Spacedesk app on your Android device. The app is available on the Play Store, and you should be able to install it just like any other Android app. It works with all devices running Android 4.1 and higher. Make sure to turn on automatic updates, so you always have the latest version. Running an older version of either the driver software or the Android app could lead to numerous issues.

Step 3: Pair Your Android Device with Your PC

After you have both the Windows driver software and the Android app installed, it’s time to pair your Android device with your PC. First, make sure both devices are connected to the same local Wi-Fi network. If they are, launch the Windows driver software and then start the Android app. The app will automatically look for your computer. If it doesn’t, activate the Auto Network Search option or manually type in the IP address of your PC. Then simply press the Connect button to pair your Android device with your PC.

Step 4: Turn Your Android Device into a Second Monitor

As soon as you complete the pairing process, your computer will recognize your Android device as a second monitor and extend the desktop. Because Windows considers your Android device as a real monitor, you can go to Display Settings and customize your multi-monitor setup to your liking. You may notice some lag, depending on your local Wi-Fi speed, but it should be perfectly acceptable for office work or web browsing.