While most PC games are played using a keyboard and mouse, certain genres like racing, fighting, sports, split screen, etc. can be better enjoyed with a gaming controller. But if you don't have one, there's no need to worry. In this article, we will show you how to use your iPhone or Android phone as a controller for PC gaming.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a phone as a gaming controller
Nothing beats a good old controller that you can buy on Amazon. However, if you don't have one and don't want to buy a new accessory for that one-time gaming session, using your phone as a gaming controller makes a lot of sense. But it has some advantages and disadvantages:
| Pros | Shortcoming |
|---|---|
| No need to purchase any additional controllers | You may experience latency or connectivity issues |
| No need to carry the controller everywhere | Less tactile feedback and less precise input than physical buttons |
| Customize the button layout as you like | phone battery drains quickly |
| Supports various platforms like Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. | Phone notifications may interrupt gameplay |
| not ergonomic |
tip: Learn how to fix persistent notifications on Android phone so you can enjoy your gaming sessions.
Here's how you can use your iPhone or Android as a gamepad
To use your phone as a controller, you first need to download the PC Remote (Monect Inc.) app to your device. It is available for Android, iPhoneAnd windows,
Once the download and installation process is complete, follow the steps below:
Comment: In this guide, we will demonstrate the process using an iPhone, but the steps will remain the same for Android phones as well.
1. open Application on both of you phone And Computer,
2. Next, make sure that both devices are connected to Same Wi-Fi network,
tip: Learn how to stop iPhone from automatically switching from Wi-Fi to mobile network.
3. Go back to the app, tap the Connect button and select your windows pc,
4. Once the connection is established, it will show you are linked Position on top of PC Remote app (Desktop).
5. Return to your iPhone or Android phone and navigate layout Tab. In this section, select gamepad layout Depending on the game you plan to play.
If you haven't found the layout for the game you're playing, you can opt for the Xbox 360 controller layout instead, as it's compatible with most gaming titles. I used the Xbox 360 controller layout to play the game because I'm familiar with its layout and button configuration.
6. That’s it. Now you can launch your favorite game and start playing it on your PC using your phone as a gamepad.
Pro Tip: If the default button placements are not playable, you can easily edit them.
Other ways to connect your phone to PC
If the Wi-Fi option isn't working, don't worry; You can explore alternative methods like USB and Bluetooth. However, it is important to note that this functionality is exclusive to Android phones.
Connect using a USB cable:
If you're having trouble connecting to a Wi-Fi method or experiencing latency issues, you can try this method:
1. tap on Add button and then select USB Option.
2. go to tethering page and enable USB tethering Option.
Pro Tip: If the tethering page does not appear or the phone fails to connect, tap USB button again.
That’s it. Both your devices will be connected successfully.
Connect using Bluetooth:
Another way to connect your Android phone to your computer is via Bluetooth. Here's how to do it:
1. turn on Bluetooth On both your phone and PC.
2. After that, go to connectivity Tap on page and Bluetooth icon. Next, it will display a list of nearby Bluetooth devices.
3. tap on name of your pcAnd you are all set to use your Android phone as a controller.
Thats all there is to it. Now you can easily use your phone as a controller to play PC games.
Limitations of PC Remote App
- You cannot use two phones as controllers on the same PC to play games.
- Sometimes the joystick movement may stop while playing games.
- You may have to deal with fullscreen video ads sometimes.
Use your phone to rule PC games
It's not that PC Remote is the only app that is capable of turning your phone into a gaming controller. On the Internet, you will find many other apps that claim to provide similar functionality and features. We tried them all and during our research, we found none of them to be as effective or functional.
However, if you are not interested in gaming and just want to control your PC from your smartphone, there is an app called Unified Remote. It is available for Android, iOSAnd windows The platform offers a vast collection of features including music controller, keyboard and mouse, file manager, remote screen viewer and much more.
