Control Your PC From Your Phone Browser Without Installing an App
Need to control a PC from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Chromebook, or friend's device without installing software from an app store? PCDeck includes a built-in zero-install web controller accessible directly over local Wi-Fi.
Updated 1 September 2026 · Works in Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox · iOS, iPadOS, Android, Mac & Linux
Yes. You can control a Windows or Linux PC from any smartphone or tablet browser without downloading an app. When PCDeck runs on your PC, it serves a lightweight HTML5 touch controller over your local Wi-Fi network. Scanning the PC's on-screen QR code instantly opens a responsive multi-touch trackpad, virtual keyboard, live screen viewer, and audio stream in mobile Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
Zero-Install Architecture
PCDeck embeds a self-contained local web server. Pointing any modern mobile browser to your PC's local IP address provides full remote control with zero cloud logins, zero tracking, and zero app store downloads.
Why use a browser-based PC remote?
While native mobile apps offer background services and hardware volume button hooks, browser remote control offers distinct advantages in everyday scenarios:
- iOS & iPadOS Support without App Store Friction: Apple devices can immediately act as wireless trackpads, keyboards, and secondary screens in mobile Safari without needing an Apple ID or TestFlight install.
- Guest & Family Access: Let friends, colleagues, or family members control a living-room media PC or presentation without asking them to download software.
- Temporary Emergency Access: When your mouse or keyboard dies, you don't need to waste time installing an app on your phone—just scan the QR code and start clicking immediately.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works across Android, iPhone, iPad, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux laptops, and Windows tablets.
Capabilities available in the PCDeck Web Remote
| Feature | Web Remote Support & Behavior |
|---|---|
| Multi-Touch Trackpad | Pointer movement, tap-to-click, two-finger scroll, right-click, and drag-and-drop using HTML5 Touch Events. |
| Virtual Keyboard | Full alphanumeric typing, modifier keys (Ctrl, Alt, Win), function row (F1–F12), and mobile virtual keyboard. |
| Live Screen Viewer | Compressed desktop video stream rendered on a canvas element with direct touch-to-click interaction. |
| PC Audio Receiver | Real-time stereo audio stream played directly through the browser's Web Audio API into phone headphones. |
| Local File Manager | Two-way file explorer allowing instant upload and download between phone storage and PC drives. |
Step-by-step setup guide
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Launch PCDeck on your computer
Run PCDeck.exe on Windows or launch PCDeck on Linux. The server window appears displaying your local network IP (e.g.,
192.168.1.45:8000) and a pairing QR code. -
Scan the QR code with your phone camera
Open your phone's built-in camera app and point it at the QR code on the PC monitor.
-
Open Web Remote in browser
Tap the prompt to launch the PCDeck Web Remote in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. No app store install or sign-up needed.
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Control your computer immediately
The Web Remote interface loads instantly. Touch the trackpad surface to move the PC cursor, switch tabs to type on the keyboard, view the live desktop screen, or stream audio to your earbuds.
How the zero-install web remote works under the hood
PCDeck runs a lightweight HTTP and WebSocket server on port 8000. When your phone browser requests the page, the PC delivers the static touch deck assets. Once loaded, the browser establishes a direct WebSocket connection back to the PC over your local Wi-Fi network.
Touch coordinate deltas and keystrokes are sent over this local socket in binary packets, while screen frames are streamed and painted onto an HTML5 Canvas. Because all communication stays strictly on your local subnet, the connection is immediate, private, and works even when your internet connection is completely offline.
Home Screen Shortcut Tip
In mobile Safari or Chrome, tap Share > Add to Home Screen (or the browser menu's Add to Home screen). This creates a standalone, full-screen icon on your phone that launches PCDeck like a native application without browser URL bars.
Get PCDeck — Universal PC Remote Control
Control Windows & Linux from your phone, tablet, or browser over local Wi-Fi with zero cloud relay.
Windows 10 / 11 · Linux · Android · iOS / iPadOS · 100% Offline Local Wi-Fi