While there is no shortage of Android to Android screen share apps, but if you want to gain complete control over someone’s smartphone, the options are pretty limited. Enter Anydesk; a simple Android app that not only lets you remotely control other Android from your own smartphone but also lets you type on the remote Android device. So, you can change settings, install an app, and pretty much do anything on the remote Android device.
Why AnyDesk?
While you can also choose TeamViewer to access Android Phone from another Android. However, there are a couple of problems with TeamViewer.
- TeamViewer doesn’t provide touch access on a few new Android devices like Pixel 3 and Redmi 8A Dual
- TeamViewer requires you to download different apps and modules which make the process confusing
- The unattended access feature on TeamViewer is paid.
With that said, let’s get to the process.
Step 1: Remote Device
Foremost, you would have to install AnyDesk on both the devices. The device we want to control is the remote device and the device controlling it called the host/your device. The black screenshots are for the remote device whereas the white screenshot is for the host/your device. Â
We are assuming that the remote device is with your friends/ family. So, first up, ask your friends or family to install the AnyDesk Remote Control app on their Android.
Once the app is installed, open it and they’ll have a pop-up asking to install “AnyDesk Control plugin“. We need this plugin in order to provide remote access to the Android device. Hence, tap on “OK“. Next, tap on “Install” to install the plugin.
After installing the plugin, head back to the AnyDesk app. Again, you’ll have a pop-up asking for accessibility permissions to the AnyDesk plugin. Accessibility permissions are needed to control the screen action. Tap on “OK” and it’ll launch the Accessibility settings page on your Android, here tap on “AnyDesk Control Service AD1“.
Next, tap on the toggle beside “Use Service” to provide Accessibility permission. You’ll get a pop-up providing a brief about the permissions provided to the app. Tap on “Allow” to continue.
After providing the Accessibility permissions, head back to the AnyDesk app. You’ll have a 6-digit Address that you need to share with the other person in order to connect to your device. To do that, tap on the three dots or meatball icon beside the 6-digit Address and tap on “Copy address“.
Next, you can just paste and share the 6-digit Address through any of the messaging apps.
Read:Â How to Use Your Phone as a Drawing Pad for PC
Step 2: Your Device
Now, on your own Android device, install the same AnyDesk app. Yes, it’s the same app as before, however, we’ll configure it diffrently on the host device.
Once you open the app, similar to the remote device, you’ll be asked to install the AnyDesk control plugin. But, since we don’t want to control our own device, we won’t be requiring this plugin. Hence, tap on “Cancel“. Next, enter the 6-digit Address from your friend’s device within the textbox just below the Remote Address label and tap on the “Arrow” icon to connect.
Next, on the other Android device, you would receive multiple notifications to allow the connection. First, tap on “Start Now”. On the next pop-up, tap on both the checkboxes and tap on “ACCEPT”. Finally, tap on “ACCEPT” to start the remote sharing.
Remote Device:Â
Now, on your device, you can see your parent’s or friends’ screen. AnyDesk provides a pie launcher on the right-side. In case you don’t know, a pie launcher is something that expands the options once you tap and hold on it. The launcher lets you switch the input from touch to the mouse, keyboard, etc. You can also disconnect the connection from the same pie launcher.
Additional Features
Whenever a connection is being initiated, AnyDesk requires you to keep the app. In case you don’t, the connection fails. However, if you want to bypass this restriction, AnyDesk also provides “Unattended Access”. Just below “Your Address”, you have a small link saying “Set password for unattended access”. Tap on it and set up a password.
Henceforth, and Android device with the password can connect and control your device without your attention. This can also be dicey and hence, I recommend you share the password only with known ones. Or, just turn this option off, once the work is done.
Closing Words
Apps like AnyDesk and TeamViewer QuickSupport has also led to a lot of mobile scams. Hence, I suggest you uninstall the app from your friends or parents’ device once the job is done. For more issues or queries, let me know in the comments below.
Also Read:Â 6 Ways to Use Your Android as Second Monitor For Your Computer
