Imagine you need to control the PC or TV monitor, but don’t have a mouse around. Luckily, there are quite a few apps that can turn your phone (Android and iPhone) into a computer mouse, keyboard, and media remote controller on Windows or macOS. However, not all such apps are built the same. So, I tested all the popular apps on Windows or macOS, Android, and iOS. Here’s what I found.
Note: Both the apps mentioned support Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
1. For Quick, Free, Temporary Usage – KDE Connect
While traveling to a remote area, you may take your laptop but not carry your mouse. Instead of buying one locally or ordering online, you can turn your phone into a mouse.
KDE Connect will let you use your phone as a mouse or keyboard. However, I found that the mouse movements seem jittery. But it’s not a deal breaker and functions as you want. No false clicks. Also, the play/pause buttons worked fine on YouTube. However, I could only pause, not play again with Netflix on my Windows 11 PC. Face no such issues with Netfli on my MacBook.
Pros:
- Ads-free, open-source, and free
- Easy to setup and use
- Media controls
- Send messages and transfer files
- Share clipboard
- Give presentations
Cons:
- Mouse movements are a little finicky
- Both devices need to be on the same network
Download: KDE Connect
2. Long-Term Usage (One-Time Purchase) – Unified Remote
Using a massive screen with a PC has its perks, but you’ll need a remote to browse media and stream content often. Some smart users found a way to use a piece of hardware to connect with Google Home/Assistant and use voice commands to control their PC.
Luckily, you don’t need to buy it. You can use Unified Remote on your phone as a mouse, keyboard, or media controller for the foreseeable future. The free version is good enough for many, but the freemium really shines. It costs $4.99 (one-time purchase) and offers unique features in a neat interface.
I was blown away by the sheer number of remotes it offers. It offers over 100 dedicated remotes for apps including VLC, one to access PC’s power and Start menu, popular streaming apps like Prime, browsers like Chrome, and Twitch. I even saw one for Minecraft. Not enough? You can buy the Pro version of the app and create a custom remote.
I tested it using my iPhone and Windows to see how it functions cross-platform and was happy to see the mouse movement was super smooth, unlike with KDE Connect.
Pros:
- Remote for 100s of apps + custom remotes
- Easy to setup and use
- Password protection
- Media control
- File manager
- Tasker integration
- Android Wear support
- IR, NFC, and Voice control support
Cons:
- Both devices should be on the same network
Download: Unified Remote ($4.99)
Other Options – Honorary Mentions
There are some other apps in this category too but they are not for everyone. You may consider and have a look if it suits your specific needs.
Also Read: You can also use your PC’s mouse to control your Android phone.
For Gamers – PC Remote
Only app in the list that doesn’t supports macOS but oddly has an iOS app.
If you are a gamer, this app turns your smartphone into a remote control for gaming and streaming on PC. You can also use it as a mouse and keyboard for PC, but it was not designed for just that. It offers different layouts for games and you can also create your own, transfer files, project your phone’s screen onto PC, and more.
Subscription begins at $2 per month and removes ads, allows adjusting touchpad sensitivity, buttons, and gestures.
Talking about ads, they are annoying and frequent in the free version taking up half the screen sometimes.
Download: PC Remote from Monect
Better Interface But Slightly Higher Cost – Remote Mouse
Offers a better interface, but for a higher price compared to Unified Remote. There is a subscription model that starts at $1.49 per month, charges $0.99 to remove ads, and recently added a lifetime plan that costs $18.99. So how does it look? Like this:
Necessary features like a power options menu, an app launcher/switcher, and copy-paste are present. If money is not a factor and you don’t fancy so many dedicated remotes for every app, I would recommend Remote Mouse over Unified Remote just for the awesome experience.
Download: Remote Mouse
