Desktop Android
Get started with the Android client
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You can use the Remote Desktop client for Android to work with Windows apps and desktops directly from your Android device or a Chromebook that supports the Google Play Store. This article will show you how to get started using the client. If you have any additional questions, make sure to check our FAQ. Note
Download the Remote Desktop clientHere's how to set up the Remote Desktop client on your Android device:
Add a Remote Desktop connectionNow that you have the client on your device, you can add Remote Desktop connections to access your remote resources. Before you add a connection, if you haven't done so already, set up your PC to accept remote connections. To add a Remote Desktop connection:
Need to edit these settings? Tap the More options menu (...) next to the name of the desktop, and then tap Edit. Want to remove the connection? Again, tap the More options menu (...), and then tap Remove. Tip If you get an error name "0xf07" that says something like "We couldn't connect to the remote PC because the password associated with the user account has expired," try again with a new password. Add remote resourcesRemote resources are RemoteApp programs, session-based desktops, and virtual desktops published by your admin. The Android client supports resources published from Remote Desktop Services, Windows 365, and Azure Virtual Desktop deployments. To add remote resources:
The remote resources will be displayed in the Connection Center. Remove remote resourcesTo remove remote resources:
Pin a connection to your home screenThe Remote Desktop client supports using the Android widget feature to pin connections to your home screen. The widget adding process depends on which type of Android device and Android OS version you're using. To add a widget:
Now you can start the remote desktop connection directly from your home screen by tapping it. Note If you rename the desktop connection in the Remote Desktop client, its pinned label won't update. Manage general app settingsTo change the general app settings, go to the Connection Center, tap Settings, and then tap General. You can set the following general settings:
Manage display settingsTo change the display settings tap Settings, and then tap Display from the Connection Center. You can set the following display settings:
Manage your RD GatewaysA Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) lets you connect to a remote computer on a private network from anywhere on the Internet. You can create and manage your gateways using the Remote Desktop client. To set up a new RD Gateway:
To delete an RD Gateway:
Manage your user accountsYou can save user accounts to use whenever you connect to a remote desktop or remote resources. To save a user account:
To delete a saved user account:
Start a Remote Desktop connectionNow that you've set up your Remote Desktop Android client, let's learn how to start a Remote Desktop session. To start a session:
Use the connection barThe connection bar gives you access to additional navigation controls. By default, the connection bar is placed in the middle at the top of the screen. Drag the bar to the left or right to move it.
Use the session selection barYou can have multiple connections open to different PCs at the same time. Tap the connection bar to display the session selection bar on the left side of the screen. The session selection bar lets you view your open connections and switch between them. When you're connected to remote resources, you can switch between apps within that session by tapping the expander menu ( > ) and choosing from the list of available items. To start a new session within your current connection, tap Start New, then choose from the list of available items. To disconnect a session, tap X in the left side of the session tile. Use the command barTap the connection bar to display the command bar on the right side of the screen. On the command bar, you can switch between mouse modes (direct touch and mouse pointer) or tap the Home button to return to the Connection Center. You can also tap the Back button to return to the Connection Center. Returning to the Connection Center won't disconnect your active session. Touch gestures and mouse modesThe Remote Desktop for Android client uses standard touch gestures. You can also use touch gestures to replicate mouse actions on the remote desktop. The following table explains which gestures match which mouse actions in each mouse mode. Note Native touch gestures are supported in Direct Touch mode in Windows 8 or later.
Join the Beta channelIf you want to help us test new builds or find issues in upcoming version updates before they're released, you should join our Beta channel. Enterprise admins can use the Beta channel to validate new versions of the Android client for their users. To join the Beta, download our Beta client and give consent to access preview versions and download the client. You'll receive preview versions directly through the Google Play Store. |