How Do I Use My Phone as a Controller to Play PC Games
While most PC games are played using a keyboard and mouse, certain genres like racing, fighting, sports, split screen, etc. are 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.
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Pros and Cons of Using Phone as a Gaming Controller
Nothing beats the good old controller that you can buy on Amazon. However, if you don’t own one and don’t want to buy a new accessory for that one-off gaming session, using your phone as a gaming controller makes a lot of sense. But there are some pros and cons:
Tip:Learn how tofix persistent notifications on Android phonesso you can enjoy gaming sessions.
Here’s How You Can Use Your iPhone or Android as Gamepad
To use your phone as a controller, you first need to download PC Remote (Monect Inc.) app on your device. It’s available forAndroid,iPhone, andWindows.
Once the download and installation process is completed, follow the below steps:
Note:In this guide, we will demonstrate the process using an iPhone, but the steps remain the same for Android phones too.
1.Open theappon both yourphoneandcomputer.
2.Next, ensure both devices are connected to thesame Wi-Fi network.
Tip:Learn how tostop the iPhone from switching from Wi-Fi to a mobile network automatically.
3.Go back to the app, tap the Connect button, and select yourWindows PC.
4.Once the connection is established, it will show you theConnectedstatus at the top of the PC Remote app (Desktop).
5.Return to your iPhone or Android phone and navigate to theLayoutstab. In this section, select thegamepad layoutbased on the game you’re planning to play.
If you didn’t find the layout for the game you’re playing, you can opt for the Xbox 360 controller layout instead, as it is compatible with a majority of gaming titles. I used the Xbox 360 controller layout to play games since I am 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 placement isn’t playable, you’re able to easily edit them.
Other Ways to Connect Your Phone to a PC
If the Wi-Fi option isn’t working, don’t worry; you can explore alternative methods such as USB and Bluetooth. However, it’s important to note that this functionality is exclusive to Android phones.
Connect Using a USB Cable:
If you’re havingtrouble connecting with the Wi-Fimethod or facing the latency issue, you’re able to try this method:
1.Tap on theConnectbutton and then select theUSBoption.
2.Go to thetethering pageand enable theUSB tetheringoption.
Pro Tip:If the Tethering page doesn’t appear or the phone fails to connect, tap theUSBbutton again.
That’s it. Both your devices will be successfully connected.
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 theBluetoothon both your phone and PC.
2.After that, go to theConnectivitypage and tap on theBluetoothicon. Afterward, it will display a list of nearby Bluetooth devices.
3.Tap on thename of your PC, and you’re all set to use your Android phone as a controller.
That’s all there is to it. You can now easily use your phone as a controller for playing PC games.
Limitations of the PC Remote App
Use Your Phone to Rule PC Games
It’s not like PC Remote is the only app that is capable of transforming your phone into a gaming controller. On the internet, you will find many other apps that claim to offer similar functionality and features. We tried all of them and during our research, we didn’t find any of them that effective or functional.
However, if you’re not into gaming and just want to control your PC from your smartphone, there is an app called Unified Remote. It is available forAndroid,iOS, andWindowsplatforms and offers a vast collection of features, including a music controller, keyboard and mouse, file manager, remote screen viewer, and more.
Rahul is your go-to guide for fixing Windows, Steam, Android, Samsung TV, and Google Chrome. An engineering college dropout who followed his passion for tech, he brings 3 years of troubleshooting experience and 2+ years of running his own tech blog to the table. When he’s not solving your tech problems, you’ll find him unwinding with the latest anime or K-drama.
