Remote control of a smartphone Android from another phone is a task that arises in a variety of situations: from helping relatives with settings to monitoring a child’s device or restoring data after losing a gadget. Unlike remote access to a PCwhere solutions like TeamViewer or AnyDesk have long become standard, with Android everything is more complicated: here you need to take into account the OS version, access rights and even the device manufacturer (for example, Samsung and Xiaomi have their own tools).

In this article we will look at 5 working ways remote control - from built-in functions Google to third-party applications with advanced capabilities. You will learn how to connect to another phone without rootrights, what settings you must check before starting the session, and how to avoid common mistakes (for example, why the screen can stuck on a black background when trying to broadcast). We will pay special attention to security issues: how to prevent attackers from gaining access to your device through the same tools.

1. Built-in Google tools: “Remote Desktop” and “Find My Device”

The most reliable way to manage another Androidphone is to use official services from Google. They do not require installation of third-party applications and work on most devices with Android 8.0 and newer. The main limitation: for full control (file transfer, screen viewing), both phones must be linked to one account Google.

Main functions of the built-in tools:

  • 🔍 Location device — location determination via Google Maps with an accuracy of 10 meters (if GPS is turned on).
  • 📱 Lock/unlock —you can set a new PIN code or show a message on the screen.
  • 🔄 Remote reboot —useful if the phone is frozen but does not respond to commands.
  • 🗑️ Reset to factory settings —extreme measure if the device is stolen (the data will be erased).

How to connect:

  1. Open the website on your phone Find My Device (or install the application of the same name).
  2. Log in under that the same account Googleas on the target device.
  3. Select the desired phone from the list (if there are several).
  4. Use the buttons Play sound, Lock device or Erase data.
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If the target phone is turned off, Find My Device will show its last known location. Enable the “Send last location” option in the settings Security → Find My Device on the managed device in advance.

⚠️ Attention: Function Erase data works only when connected to the Internet. If the SIM card is removed or the phone is in airplane mode, the command will be executed when the network first appears.

2. Remote control applications: TeamViewer, AirDroid and alternatives

Built-in tools Google limited to basic functions. For full control (viewing the screen in real time, sending SMS, accessing files), you will need third-party applications. We tested 3 of the most reliable solutions:

Application Free functionality Paid options Minimum Android version
TeamViewer QuickSupport Screen viewing, chat, file transfer (up to 200 MB) Remote control (from $50/month), session recording 5.0
AirDroid Personal File management, SMS, calls, camera (2 sec delay) Full screen access (from $3.99/month), no advertising 6.0
ApowerMirror Screen broadcast, mouse control (no keyboard) Full control (from $29.95/year), screen recording in 4K 7.0

Step-by-step guide for AirDroid Personal (the most balanced option):

Install AirDroid Personal on both phones|Register an account (email or Google)|On the target phone, enable Remote access in the application settings|On your phone, select a device from the list and confirm the connection|Click Management → Screen to start broadcasting-->

Important nuance: to control the screen on Android 10+ you will need enable the option for special capabilities:

Settings → Accessibility → Installed services → AirDroid Screen Mirroring
⚠️ Attention: Applications like TeamViewer can conflict with antiviruses (for example, Kaspersky blocks screen transfer). Add them to exceptions or temporarily disable protection.
📊 What application do you use for remote control?
TeamViewer
AirDroid
ApowerMirror
Other
Never tried

3. Remote control via Samsung Knox and MIUI Remote Control

Smartphone manufacturers often develop their own solutions for remote access. The most functional ones are Samsung i Xiaomi.

For Samsung phones (with Knox):

  • 📱 Samsung Find My Mobile - analogue Find My Device, but with advanced options (for example, blocking Samsung Pay).
  • 🔒 Knox Guard - a corporate management solution multiple devices (requires company registration).
  • 🖥️ Samsung DeX - screen casting to PC, but with limited control from the phone.

How to enable Find My Mobile:

  1. On the target phone: Settings → Biometrics and security → Find My Mobile.
  2. Enable options Remote unlock and Send last location.
  3. Open on your phone findmymobile.samsung.com.

For Xiaomi phones (MIUI 12+):

  • 🔄 MIUI Remote Control — built-in function for managing others Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.
  • 📎 Quick Share — transferring files between devices (analog Nearby Share from Google).

Activation MIUI Remote Control:

Settings → Connections and sharing → Remote control → Enable
⚠️ Attention: Functions Samsung Knox and MIUI Remote Control work only between devices of the same brand. For example, you will not be able to control Samsung Galaxy S23 from your phone Xiaomi 13 Pro through these. tools.

4. Control via ADB over Wi-Fi: for advanced users

If you need full control (including running commands adb), you can use Android Debug Bridge over a wireless network. This method requires preliminary setup, but provides maximum capabilities:

  • 📲 Installing/uninstalling applications remotely.
  • 🔧 Changing system settings (for example, enabling USB debugging on a locked phone).
  • 📁 Copying files from internal memory.

Instructions:

  1. On the target phone, turn on Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times to unlock Developer mode).
  2. Go back to Settings → System → Developer mode and enable USB debugging.
  3. Connect the phone to the PC via cable and run the command: 
    adb tcpip 5555
  4. Disconnect the cable and connect via Wi-Fi: 
    adb connect [IP address phone]:5555
  5. Now you can control your phone from another device via adb shell or scrcpy.

Example of useful commands:

adb shell input tap 500 500 # Press the screen at the coordinates

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings # Open settings


adb pull /sdcard/Download/file.txt C:\ # Download file from phone

What to do if ADB does not connect?

1. phone and PC/control phone on the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Make sure the firewall is not blocking port 5555 (on PC).

3. Restart the ADB service: adb kill-server → adb start-server.

4. Huawei) you need to manually enable Wi-Fi debugging in the developer settings.

⚠️ Attention: Commands adb give low-level access to the system. Incorrect use can lead to data loss or phone locking. For example, the command adb shell rm -rf /data will completely delete user data.

5. Control via SMS commands: hidden capabilities of Android

Few people know, but Android supports control via SMS using hidden commands. This method works even without the Internet and is suitable for emergency situations (for example, if the phone is stolen and its mobile data is turned off).

How it works:

  1. On the target phone, install an application that handles SMS commands (for example, SMS Remote Control or MacroDroid).
  2. Set up rules: for example, when receiving an SMS with the text #locate send the coordinates, and when #lock - block the device.
  3. From your phone, send an SMS to the number of the target device with command.

Examples of commands (depending on the application):

  • 📍 #locate — send location.
  • 🔇 #silent — enable silent mode.
  • 📷 #photo — take a photo from the front camera and send to your number.
  • 🔋 #battery —inform charge level batteries.

Limitations:

  • ❌ Works only if special software is installed on the target phone.
  • ❌ An attacker can delete the handler application.
  • ❌ Not all commands are supported on Android 12+ due to security restrictions.
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SMS commands are the only way to control your phone without the Internet, but it requires preliminary configuration and does not guarantee 100% reliability.

6. Security: how to protect your phone from remote hacking

The same tools that help control your phone from a distance can be used by attackers. Here 5 critical security measures:

  1. Disable unnecessary permissions:

    Check which applications have access to Accessibility (Settings → Accessibility → Installed services). Remove suspicious ones.

  2. Use two-factor authentication (2FA):

    For account Google and applications like TeamViewer enable confirmation by SMS or via Google Authenticator.

  3. Limit background activity:

    T Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autostart disable autorun for remote access applications.

  4. Check active sessions:

    B TeamViewer or AirDroid view connection history. If you see unfamiliar IP addresses, change your password.

  5. Encrypt transmitted data:

    Use a VPN (for example, ProtonVPN) when managing via public Wi-Fi.

Signs that your phone is being controlled without you aware:

  • 🔋 Inexplicable increased battery consumption (background processes).
  • 📶 Mobile traffic activity during non-working hours.
  • 📱 Spontaneous clicks or opening applications.
  • 🔊 Extraordinary sounds during calls (wiretapping).
⚠️ Attention: If you suspect that your phone has been hacked, immediately:
  1. Turn off the Internet (airplane mode).
  2. Uninstall all applications for remote access.
  3. Change passwords for Google, banking applications and social networks.
  4. Reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When managing remotely, users encounter common errors. We have collected TOP-5 problems and ways to solve them:

Problem Possible cause Solution
Black screen during broadcast No permission to record screen Enable Screen recording in the accessibility settings
Does not connect via ADB Port 5555 is busy or the firewall is blocking the connection Check the port with the command netstat -ano | findstr 5555 (on PC)
The application does not see the second phone Device on different networks or disabled Google Play Services Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network and update Google Play Services
Management delay Weak Wi-Fi signal or the application server is overloaded Switch to mobile data (4G/5G) or try another application
SMS commands do not work The handler application has been deleted or blocked by the optimizer Check whether the application is added to battery exceptions (Settings → Power → Optimization)

If none of the methods helped, try alternative solutions:

  • 🖥️ Control via PC - connect the phone to the computer and use scrcpy or Vysor.
  • 📡 Mobile hotspot — if the target phone does not connect to Wi-Fi, distribute the Internet from your device.
  • 🔄 Recovery mode —to reset settings if the phone is locked (Power + Volume Up).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Is it possible to control Android from an iPhone?

Yes, but with limitations. Applications like TeamViewer or AirDroid have versions for iOS, but the functionality will be reduced (for example, there is no transfer files in both directions). For full control, it is better to use a Androiddevice.

❓ Do you need root access for remote control?

No, in 90% of cases root it is not required. via ADB. However, root increases security risks, so it is better to avoid it.

❓ How to control the phone if it is turned off?

If the phone is turned off, remote control is not possible. data-i="298">Track its last location via

  • Track his last location via Find My Device.
  • If the phone is dead, but was connected to charging, some manufacturers (for example, Samsung) allow you to turn it on remotely via SmartThings Find.

❓ Is it possible to control the phone without installing applications?

Yes, but the functionality will be minimal. Options:

  • Via Google Find My Device (blocking, search, reset).
  • Via ADB via Wi-Fi (requires preliminary configuration).
  • Via Samsung Find My Mobile or MIUI Remote Control (only for devices of the same brand).

For full control (viewing the screen, sending SMS), applications are required.

❓ Is it legal to control someone else’s phone without his consent?

No, this qualifies as unauthorized access (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Exceptions:

  • Managing the phone of a minor child (with his knowledge).
  • Emergencies (for example, a spouse's lost phone).
  • Corporate devices (with the consent of the employee in the employment contract).

In other cases, explicit permission of the owner is required.