Control your PC from your phone with this free app | usagoldmines.com

Phones and computers don’t always play nice together, especially when you’re bouncing between the two–it can be super annoying. KDE Connect is a handy app that helps fix this issue by linking your devices and letting them share files and notifications, while also allowing you to control your PC from your phone (or vice versa).

File sharing is probably what people use KDE Connect for most. It allows you to send files straight between your phone and computer—think AirDrop, but for PCs. And while KDE Connect does this perfectly well, I still recommend something like LocalSend if file sharing is your only goal. LocalSend is a bit more intuitive and easier for quick tasks.

However, KDE Connect sets itself apart thanks to its deeper device integration and remote control tools. The app mirrors your phone notifications on your desktop, which is great for those times when you’re in the middle of something at work and can’t check your phone. On supported devices, KDE Connect lets you reply to text messages from your computer, too.

The remote control aspect will appeal to power users in particular. I use it to control music on my PC, and even the virtual trackpad option can be useful. There’s also the ability to turn your phone into a presentation remote if you ever forget your clicker. You can even set up custom commands to do things like lock or shut down your computer from your phone.

KDE Connect is free and open source, with versions for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

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