If you need to do some hardcore multitasking on your Windows PC, a second monitor can go a long way towards getting things done. If you opt to “extend” your Windows desktop across a dual monitor setup, it’s as if you have two computers side by side, with each display getting its own set of windows and programs that can be open simultaneously.

But a second monitor can be rather expensive, and they’re certainly not very portable if you wanted to use one with your laptop. That’s where Spacedesk comes into play: It’s software that lets you easily turn any Android device into a second display for your Windows desktop. What’s more, it works over Wi-Fi, meaning there’s no messy wires, so you’ll always be one tap away from having dual Windows monitors wherever you are.

Step 1: Install Spacedesk on Your PC

First up, you’ll need to install the Spacedesk drivers on your Windows PC. So head to the link below, then you’ll notice two versions listed under the spacedesk DRIVER software for Windows Primary PC (server) section. Most modern PCs are 64-bit, so click the corresponding button if you purchased your PC within the last 5 or so years. However, if you’re unsure whether your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit, see Microsoft’s FAQ page for help.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Next, just launch the installer file, then follow the prompts to get Spacedesk installed on your PC. When installation has finished, make sure to reboot your computer so that the new drivers will become active.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Step 2: Install Spacedesk on Your Android Device

Now that you’ve got the Windows side of things taken care of, the next thing you’ll need to do is install Spacedesk on your Android device.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Step 3: Connect Your Phone to Your PC

With both apps installed, using Spacedesk is incredibly easy. First, make sure your Android device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC, then simply open the Spacedesk app on your phone or tablet. The app should automatically detect your computer, so in most cases, all you’ll have to do is tap “Connect” to get things going.

However, if your computer is not found automatically, you’ll have to un-tick the box next to “Auto Network Search,” then enter your computer’s local IP address manually. If you don’t know your local IP address, simply head to this link, then copy the number at the top of the blue box. Once you’re done there, you’ll be able to tap “Connect” to get things going.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Step 4: Use Your Phone or Tablet as a Wireless Second Screen

Within seconds of tapping “Connect” in the Android app, your computer will beep as if you just plugged in a new piece of hardware. Right around this same time, your Windows desktop will appear on your Android device, so you’ll see a perfect, real-time replica of everything that’s happening on your PC.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

If you’d like to use your Android device as a second desktop instead of just mirroring your primary screen, right-click any empty space on your Windows desktop, then choose “Display Settings.” From here, use the drop-down menu towards the bottom of the window to choose “Extend these displays,” then click “Apply.” Now, you’ll be able to multitask as if you had a real dual monitor setup, and each “desktop” can have its own set of windows and programs open.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

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If you used to have a dual screen setup at your workplace for all your tasks but now you are stuck in your home with just your laptop having a single screen. Well, there is a way where you can use your phone’s display as a second screen for your desktop or laptop, just like you can use your phone’s camera as a webcam. You can take the help of some third-party apps and software to use your Android phone as a second monitor for your PC.

Use Android Phone as Second Monitor for PC

Table of Contents

1. Spacedesk App

Using the Spacedesk app to extend your desktop to your smartphone is as easy as a pie. No need to connect wires or writing IP addresses and passwords to connect. You just need to be on the same WiFi connection and it works perfectly.

  1. Download the Spacedesk app on your Android smartphone from Google Play Store.
  2. Download and install the Spacedesk server on your PC from the official website.
  3. Make sure both, the Android smartphone and the PC are connected to the same WiFi.
    How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac
  4. Launch the Spacedesk app on the smartphone and the Spacedesk server on the PC.
  5. The Spacedesk app on the smartphone will detect your PC, tap on the Connection link.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Spacedesk is a free and pretty amazing app for your Android smartphone and you can do a lot using it.

2. Google Remote Desktop

Google Remote Desktop is software that allows you to control your PC via your Android device. You can run everything from your desktop to your Android phone’s screen. Just like other Google products, Google Remote Desktop is easy to set up and use. Here’s how you can use this software:

1. Download Google Remote Desktop on your Android.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

2. After that, set up remote access on your PC by clicking here.

3. You will be asked to add its extension to your Chrome browser.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

4. After that, accept and install it on your PC.

5. Click on Remote Acess, and then on Turn on. After that, choose a name for your PC and a 6-digit PIN, and then click on Start.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

6. After that, open the app on your phone, enter the PIN and select your desktop when it shows. That’s it.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

You will be able to see your screen on your phone as well as and control your keyboard and mouse from here.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Google Remote Desktop works seamlessly but you cannot use separate apps on both the screen. It doesn’t let you use your phone as an extended display.

3. Splashtop Wired XDisplay

Splashtop Wired XDisplay uses a USB connection to use your phone as a second screen. It allows you to connect your phone only via USB so it offers better resolution (Full HD) at 60 frames per second. Here’s how to use it:

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

1. Download Splashtop Wired XDisplay on your Android or iOS device.

2. Install Wired XDisplay on Mac or PC.

3. Open the software on your computer and then connect your phone via USB.

That’s it. Now your PC or Mac’s screen will be shared with your phone.

Since the software uses USB instead of WiFi, it offers a more responsive experience and there is no lag. It also offers a battery saver mode in which the frame rate and resolution drops.

Bonus Tips

i) To get the best performance while using the phone as a secondary display, try to use an Android tablet if you have one, instead of your smartphone.

ii) Moreover, make sure to connect your PC and Android device to a faster network so you won’t see any latency in your secondary display.

These were the ways to use your Android phone or tablet as a secondary monitor. If you have any queries, ask us in the comments. Stay tuned for more such tech tips.

You can also follow us for instant tech news at Google News or for tips and tricks, smartphones & gadgets reviews, join GadgetsToUse Telegram Group or for the latest review videos subscribe GadgetsToUse Youtube Channel.

Right now, more of us are working from home than ever before. Some of us are already old pros, while for others it’s a whole new world. Since work from home has long been part of how things work here at Ting, we’ve been happy to share what we’ve learned. One thing we know for sure – we’re really missing those second monitors from the office. We’ve got good news though. You can quickly and easily use your tablet or phone as a second monitor!

While it may be smaller, using your tablet or smartphone as a second monitor has the same benefits as a true second display. You’ll be able to split your windows between two screens, therefore avoiding having to play peekaboo with your open apps. Two screens are nearly indispensable when it comes to video conferencing as well. You can check out our full list of helpful video conferencing tips here. Of course, your smart devices don’t have video connections like a monitor. Thankfully, there are a number of ingenious apps that attempt to solve the problem.

Disclaimer: YMMV (your mileage may vary)

While we’d be the first in line to thank the geniuses behind these apps, the fact remains that what they do, in essence, is allow two devices to work together in ways they weren’t designed to. As a result, users have reported wildly varying levels of success. Whether they work for you and how well doesn’t only depend on the type of computer and tablet, but also which operating system and many other factors. In some cases, users have also experienced stability issues (computers crashing etc). Unfortunately, we’ve got to use that old cliche: these apps are to be used at your own risk.

Duet Display (Android, iOS, PC, Mac)

This was originally the go-to for Mac and iPad users, but since Apple has added native support using Sidecar, Duet Display has expanded to support Android and PC as well. While the iOS version remains the more robust, offering a bunch of features and backward compatibility that Sidecar does not, the Android version also performs quite well. There’s by no means a 100% success rate with every tablet and computer, but current feedback seems to suggest your chances with Duet are pretty good. With more recent updates and better customer feedback, we’d suggest this one as the first to try.

Splashtop Wired XDisplay (Android, iOS, Kindle, PC, Mac)

This is another multi-platform solution that’s been getting very good feedback. It works like the rest – download drivers onto your computer, the app onto your tablet or phone, and you’re off to the races. Splashtop Wired even supports Kindle. Perhaps the biggest selling point is the ability to support up to 1080p at 60fps. However, there is a caveat. As the name suggests, there’s no Wi-Fi option and this app requires a USB connection. If that’s not an issue, Splashtop Wired may be your best bet. This is not to be confused with the company’s marquee offering, a remote access application named Splashtop Remote.

Sidecar (iOS, Mac)

For those who own a recent Mac and iPad and need basic secondary screen functionality, Sidecar is baked right into your devices. It uses AirPlay for wireless operation so you can expect nearly lag-free performance. You can also choose a wired connection using USB-C and/or lightning cable. And while it doesn’t support advanced touch gestures on the iPad, there is Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard integration. If you want to use your iPad as a second monitor with your Mac without having to download new software, Sidecar’s your solution.

spacedesk (Android, PC)

On the flipside, spacedesk (yes, they do the cool-kid lower case name) allows you to turn your Android device or Chromebook into a secondary screen for your PC or Windows Surface tablet. It provides touch support, and works over Wi-Fi, USB and LAN. Users have reported noticeable lag when using Wi-Fi, but it’s always a nice option to have. Like Sidecar, the focus on one platform means that you’re likely to see a more stable experience with this one.

iDisplay (Android, iOS, PC, Mac)

iDisplay may be the best-known app for turning a tablet or phone into a secondary display. With a dead easy setup and a bunch of helpful features included, at one point, it was the secondary screen go-to app. However, it was the uneven recent feedback from users during our research that prompted us to create the disclaimer above. We’re not trash-talking here. As operating systems become more complex and adopt additional security measures, it’s increasingly challenging to build these apps. Still, we need to point out that many recent reviews have highlighted a number of issues, including total non-operability. So we’ll say this: when it works, iDisplay is a gem. Simply download the app onto your smart device, drivers onto your Mac or PC and then connect your tablet or phone through Wi-Fi or USB (great if you experience a delay with Wi-Fi). iDisplay also beats out most competitors when it comes to features like display adjustment and control of your computer through your tablet.

Air Display (Android, iOS, PC, Mac)

Similar to iDisplay, Air Display is a great app… when it works. It allows up to four screens, supports HD (including Apple’s Retina Display), features impressive wireless performance and Air Stylus, which brings pressure-sensitive stylus operation to your computer. But whether you’re able to use the app at all, once again, depends on many considerations. First of all, the most recent version (Air Display 3) only supports Macs. Air Display 2 provides PC support, but there’s no USB connection option. And depending on which devices you’re attempting to pair and their respective OS’, just like iDisplay, you may or may not be in luck being able to use the app at all.

Remote access applications

Remote access apps like Google Remote Desktop and Splashtop Remote may work in a pinch, but it’s important to note a vital difference. With nearly all of these applications, you’re simply accessing and mirroring your computer’s screen with your tablet and phone. That means you won’t be able to put some windows on one screen and the rest on the other. Really, as a secondary screen, this solution is useful if you have a desktop and would like to work in a different part of your home.

Better ways to work from home

We hope that, for those of you needing a unique second-screen solution, one of the above apps works for you. A buggy experience is likely to actually decrease your productivity, however, so if your secondary screen app is very problematic, it may be best to stick to a single screen until finding a better option.

If you’re also looking for an alternative mobile plan to save some money, we’d encourage you to see if Ting Mobile might be right for you. Because you only pay for what you use, you’ll spend little to nothing on data if you have access to Wi-Fi for the majority of the time. You can find out more about how Ting works here.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

What is Ting Mobile anyway?

Learn about Ting, how it works and what you’d save. Sounds good? Get $25 to try it for yourself risk-free!

Having a secondary screen has its benefits, but buying a second monitor may not always be a feasible solution. If you have a smart device lying around, say like an older tablet, you can now turn it into a secondary monitor for your PC using Deskreen. A free open-source app, Deskreen lets you use any device with a web browser as a second screen over Wi-Fi. Best of all, it offers support for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The idea behind Deskreen was to offer something similar to what Apple has with Sidecar, allowing you to use your iPad as a secondary screen for your Mac. Even Samsung for that matter has just started offering a similar feature with a new update for its premium tablet, the Galaxy Tab S7. According to the developer of the app, “People nowadays are buying new devices very often and may have an old tablet, phone or laptop that they stopped using. If your old tablet, phone, or laptop is still able to run a browser, Deskreen can help you to bring new life to your old digital buddy, and you can start using it as a second monitor for your laptop.”

The app can work with Wi-Fi or LAN and you can use almost any device with a web browser as a second screen for your computer. Additionally, you can use any device’s web browser to mirror your computer screen or view a single application window from your computer screen. The app also supports multiple screen sharing sessions to as many devices as you want along with end-to-end encryption. To offer improved imaging quality, the app comes with support for changing picture quality while sharing a screen along with an auto quality change feature.

To have an extended desktop experience one needs to use the Dummy Display Plug. What is that? Well, it is a tiny plug similar to a USB flash drive. This is only required to be plugged into your computer to make it think that an external display is connected. According to the Deskreen website, Display Dummy Plugs can be bought in online stores such as Amazon, Aliexpress, eBay, or any of your local tech stores.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

The app can be quite useful for someone who wants an inexpensive way to expand your display, especially if you need to monitor data or maybe host a presentation. It also comes across as a good solution if you just need a second screen temporarily and may not always need a second monitor to warrant investment into one.

How to use Deskreen

  1. Download the Deskreen app from the official website.
  2. After you have installed it, run the app to see a QR code. Scan it with a tablet or phone, or you can manually type the web address given below the QR code in your browser running on the secondary device.
    How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac
  3. Once the connection has been established, a pop-up should appear on the app on your PC confirming the IP address, as well as other information including session ID, device OS, and more. Click on allow to start your session.
    How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac
  4. Deskreen will now ask you to select what screen source you want to share. You will have the option of either sharing the entire screen or sharing an application window.
    How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac
  5. If you want to share an app window, click on the Application Window Button and then click on the preview box to proceed to step seven.
    How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac
  6. If you want to share the entire screen click on the ‘Entire Screen’ button. This option can be used if you want to mirror the entire screen or use it as a second screen. For this feature, you need to make sure that a Dummy Display Plug is connected.How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac
  7. Double-check everything to make sure the settings and the correct mode has been selected.В If you want to change anything, just click on the green ‘Connected info’ button.
    How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac
  8. Once you are set, hit the confirm button at the bottom to start sharing your screen.

You can also check out the video below for more information:

Getting a second screen is actually a good way to boost productivity, especially if you switch between apps or tabs a lot. Deskreen comes off as a neat way to bring some utility to older devices that you may have lying around.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

As handheld mobile tech becomes more prevalent, you may have looked at your devices sitting around and wondered “how can I use my tablet as a second monitor?”

While working from home, most will not have the luxury of a productivity setup. Fear no more, in this article, we will show you on how to use your Android, Windows and iOS tablets as a second display.

To use a tablet as a second monitor, simply download the app on both your tablet and laptop. Each app will give you the capability to connect via a cable (which reduce portability) or wireless connection (which is less stable, but more portable).

How To Use android tablet as second monitor With Cable & Wirelessly

Picking an App and Method

There’s a bit more to it than that though, as you need to be careful in what apps you pick! Some free options are available that we’ll discuss below, but most likely you are going to have to spend a little money to get the best wireless experience.

Why exactly is that? Because free apps usually have these limitations to keep in mind:

  • The app will bombard you with ads (which obviously isn’t ideal for uninterrupted usage)
  • The app will only work for a limited time on a free basis
  • The app will require elevated tablet access permissions that you may not feel comfortable giving to a third party

Wireless Monitor Extension Apps

This is what most users actually want, so let’s jump into going wireless first, although as we note below, there are some big limitations here you may want to keep in mind.

Each app has in-depth instructions on going through this process, so there’s no need for us to rehash that here, but there are some things to keep in mind when picking a monitor extension app.

First up, be on the lookout for apps that allow you to both extend and mirror your display. These two options come in handy in different situations.

For instance, programmers may want to see their code on the main panel while having other resources on the secondary screen.

In other cases, you may need multiple people to see what’s on the screen, so mirroring makes more sense — especially if you want to pass the tablet around a staff meeting.

Now that you know what to look for, what apps should you try out? After extensive research, these are the tools we specifically recommend trying out for using your Android tablet as a monitor:

  • iDisplay
  • Space Desk
  • Screen Share One Assistant

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or macSource: watchandroid.com

Note that iDisplay Lets you use your Android tablet as a monitor for your Mac as well as a Windows PC.

Using Remote Desktop Apps

There’s another option here that a lot of users don’t realize is freely available and essentially gives you the same functionality as an extension app — using a remote desktop program!

In particular, we recommend these two options:

It’s important to note this isn’t exactly the same thing as using your tablet as a second monitor, but it essentially gives you the same features.

Rather than extending your laptop display to your tablet, these apps let you control your laptop directly from your tablet, no matter where you are located.

This is particularly useful if you need to access your desktop from your tablet while you are away from your home or office.

..In some ways, remote desktop apps are actually better than using a paid monitor display app…

In some ways, remote desktop apps are actually better than using a paid monitor display app, because they give you screen sharing while also letting you freely transfer files between the two devices.

Broadcasting From Tablet To PC Monitor Or TV

We’ve seen how to use your tablet as a secondary monitor for your laptop, but what if you want to go the opposite direction?

Of course, there are apps for that as well, and as a bonus many of them let you display your tablet’s audio and video on your TV as well as your computer!

That can be a huge boon if you want to stream something like Netflix from your phone or tablet on your larger screen television. To go this route, check out these apps:

Via A USB Cable

Going wireless with the apps listed above is usually ideal for maximum portability, but it may not be the best option for your setup.

…It’s very important to note that wireless connections through an app will often result in a slight lag or delay…

It’s very important to note that wireless connections through an app will often result in a slight lag or delay between what you do on your computer and what you see on your tablet screen.

That’s where you are going to end up seeing the bulk of the negative reviews for any programs that let you use your tablet as a secondary monitor.

If you have particularly fast and stable wifi in your area (and devices with enough RAM to run the connection app smoothly), that’s less of a concern. In some cases, you may want to go with a cable-based connection using a USB instead.

Just like the wireless apps listed above, these programs let you extend or mirror your laptop display over to your tablet. They work through a faster-wired connection, however, and typically don’t suffer any major lag in display time:

Note that SplashTop’s wired version lets you try out the connection for free for 10 minutes to decide if you want to buy, so we recommend giving that a shot first to make sure it will work with your computer/tablet combo.

Via HDMI

If USB can be used to connect your tablet to your PC, you are probably wondering if it would be simpler to just use a standard video connection cable.

Some tablets like the Amazon Fire HD feature an HDMI port, which might make you assume using your tablet as a monitor will be as simple as plugging in a cable.

Unfortunately, in most cases, these tablet ports are actually for output, rather than input.

That means you can display your tablet’s screen on another device via an HDMI cable, but not vice versa.

If you’ve ever used a dual-monitor setup before, you’d probably agree that having a second screen greatly improves productivity. But while multiple monitors are ideal for work, lugging a monitor around wherever you go isn’t really feasible. You could choose to invest in a portable monitor or you can simply download the Duet Display app.

Duet Display, which was recently ported over from iOS, allows you to turn your Android phone, tablets or Chromebook into a secondary display for your Windows or Mac PC. The app works over both wired and wireless connections, boasting of a seamless and lag-free experience.

While the concept isn’t all that new, older apps like Air Display 2, iDisplay and Splashtop Wired XDisplay don’t work all that well. In contrast, the team behind Duet Display claims that there is zero lag when using your Android device or Chromebook as a secondary display. On top of that, the app also enables touch support and gestures, allowing you to interact with your PC like never before.

In an email exchange with The Verge, Duet’s CEO and founder Rahul Dewan said, “Performance is already very close compared to iOS…Given that our iOS product has five years of work in it, we expect them to be equal as we continue developing Android and find new optimizations.”

Apple is also expected to release a similar feature called Sidecar in macOS Catalina. When asked whether the upcoming feature might affect the app’s popularity Dewan added, “Sidecar is a free product made for casual users…and we have many features they don’t. So even on newer iPads, the serious professionals who want to use the product every day and integrate it into their workflow will likely prefer the performance & customizability of Duet.”

On top of that, the app’s cross-platform support is expected to attract even more users who haven’t completely given in to the Apple ecosystem. The Duet Display app supports devices running Android 7.1 or later and it’s currently available at an introductory price of $9.99.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Today’s article is about “How to use an iOS device as secondary Monitor for PC Or Mac”. Do you think there is only one way to get the second monitor, just by purchasing new monitor? Have you ever thought the iOS device can do the same thing? Do you want to try it? Learn how to use an iOS device as the second monitor for your PC or Mac with the help of the simple and easy method that will help you to monitor each activity of your PC with the extra screen that will be your iPhone/iPod. Follow the guide each, one by one.

As we know every computer consist of a single monitor, Beside the display screen quired to view all activities being performed by the system and most of the basic users would not need to connect more than one monitor to their computer for any purpose. But sometime we might have the advanced technical task on the computer by the professionals. Then What we should do we would need another or better monitor to view or to preceded our work. In spite of buying another monitor, we suggest you to use your iOS device as the secondary monitor.

How to Use iOS Device as a Second Monitor for PC or MAC

Step #1: First of all you need to install an app named Duet display on your iOS device and duet display for PC or Mac. Or you can use iDisplay.

Step #2: When you’ve installed software, then Plug your device to PC or Mac, r you can either do it with same WiFi network.

Step #3: In this step, you need to launch both the app on your iPhone and on your PC and let the app to connect.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Connect to MAC or PC

Step #4: In this step, you’ve launched both, Then you need to set display settings on your Mac or PC, in that case right click on desktop and select Display Settings.

Step #5: Then you’ll see the first and second screen. The second screen is your iOS screen, select the area where you wanna place to project the screen on that side.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Step #6: Now in the system tray. Click on duet display icon and there set the settings that you want to set for your iPhone and PC.

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Step #7: That’s it! You are done. With this, your iOS device will be working as a second monitor for your Windows or MAC PC.

Conclusion

So above article was about how to use the iOS device as the second monitor. In the next article, we’ll show you how to use Android device as a secondary monitor. The apps I mentioned for making a monitor with PC is a paid app. But you can get it Free with Tungbu app. Hope you’ve got something from this article, if you’ve faced any issue inform us, please.

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There’s no denying that multiple monitors are a boost to productivity. It’s convenient, and lets you keep an eye on more windows at once, so none of those important interruptions go unanswered. But in an age of ubiquitous laptops, the whole multi-monitor thing sort of ties you down. It’s not like you’re going to lug around a monitor to use as a display with your laptop.

Fortunately, there’s a smaller, lighter alternative: use your Android tablet as overflow screen. Plus, you can use the Android device for touchscreen computer input.

iDisplay, the app that lets us accomplish this, is compatible with OS X and Windows. Here’s a quick step-by-step to getting your Android-powered second display up and running in Windows.

Step 1: Install and download Shape’s iDisplay ($5) app from Google Play.

Step 2: On your PC, go to getidisplay.com and click on the Windows download button and choose your Windows operating system on the resulting page.

The PC/Mac portion of the software is free, but the tablet app will cost you $5.

Step 3: Follow the prompts to install the software and drivers. Then restart your computer when prompted. Allow the installed software to gain access through the PC’s firewall by clicking on the Allow Access button on the Windows Security Alert dialog that will appear when the PC restarts.

Step 4: Make sure your PC and Android device are connected to the same local network.

Step 5: Look for the iDisplay icon in the Taskbar Notifications Area on your computer. Hover your mouse over it, and you’ll see an IP address and Port. Write them down precisely.

Depending on your configuration, the connection list may auto-populate, and you can ignore all that IP address stuff.

Step 6: Launch the iDisplay app on your Android device. Touch the “+” button. Then enter the IP address, port, and any description that you’d like to give your PC. Your configuration may not even require this step—look for a button to automatically connect to your PC when you first start the app. When you connect from your tablet, a dialog box will pop up on your PC asking if you want to allow the connection.

Enter the IP address, Port and a name.

Step 7: A blank, extended PC desktop will appear on the Android device. Visually locate the mouse pointer and move it between screens with the PC’s mouse. Then take over control and movement with your finger as the mouse pointer transitions to the Android device’s touchscreen.

Use your Android tablet to draw in your Windows apps.

That’s all there is to it! When you launch a program on the PC you can drag it over to your Android device, and interact with it using touch. Long-press to get the right-click context menus to pop up, and swipe with two fingers to scroll.

One tap on the Android screen will place the mouse pointer on that screen. Touching the trackpad or mouse will relocate the mouse pointer onto the PC’s screen. You can use the PC’s keyboard to enter text in programs on the Android device’s screen.

Click Disconnect in the iDisplay notification icon in the Taskbar Notifications Area on the PC’s desktop to close the connection. Then use the back button on your Android device to close the app.

Patrick Nelson was editor and publisher of the music industry trade publication Producer Report and has written for a number of technology blogs. Nelson wrote the cult-classic novel Sprawlism.

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How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Duet Display working over a wired connection. Image: Duet

Duet Display — once the best app for turning an iPad or iPhone into a portable touchscreen display for Macs or PCs — is now available on Android phones and tablets. To work, you have to install the free Duet Display client on your Mac (macOS 10.14.2 or later) or Windows 10 PC and then connect to your Android device over a wired or wireless connection.

When Duet Display launched, it was the first app to deliver a true no-lag iPad-as-secondary-display experience. Now, instead of getting “Sherlocked” by Apple’s Sidecar feature coming in macOS Catalina, Duet is taking its wares to the most installed mobile OS on the planet. Too bad Google isn’t taking Android tablets seriously.

Android users can expect Duet Display to perform similarly to the iOS version, but it won’t be exactly the same on day one. “Performance is already very close compared to iOS,” said Duet CEO and founder Rahul Dewan in an email exchange with The Verge. “Given that our iOS product has five years of work in it, we expect them to be equal as we continue developing Android and find new optimizations.”

As to Apple’s Sidecar, Duet isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. “Sidecar is a free product made for casual users,” said Dewan, “and we have many features they don’t. So even on newer iPads, the serious professionals who want to use the product every day and integrate it into their workflow will likely prefer the performance & customizability of Duet.”

How to use an android device as a second monitor for your pc or mac

Duet Display supports devices running Android 7.1 or later. It’s available now for an introductory price of $9.99 (half off), with wireless connections tossed in for free.