OffshoreVps
Tutorials16 Eki 20264 min readBy the OffshoreVps team

How to Connect to RDP from Android and iPhone

Reach your Windows RDP server from a phone or tablet with Microsoft's free app: add the server, log in as Administrator and make touch control usable.

You can reach your Windows RDP server from a phone or tablet. Microsoft publishes a free client for both Android and iOS, and it works well for checking a trading terminal, restarting a service or fixing something on the go. This guide covers both platforms.

A Windows Remote Desktop session window in the Remote Desktop app client showing a server desktop, illustrating connecting to Windows RDP from a phone
A Windows desktop reached over Remote Desktop.

What you need

  • The server's IP address and the Administrator password.
  • A reasonably stable mobile or Wi-Fi connection.

Android

  1. Install Windows App or Remote Desktop by Microsoft from Google Play.
  2. Tap the plus button and choose PC (or Add PC).
  3. Enter the server's IP address as the PC name.
  4. Add a user account: username Administrator and your password.
  5. Save and tap the new entry to connect. Accept the certificate prompt if it appears on a fresh server.
The steps of this guide in order: 1. What you need; 2. Android; 3. iPhone and iPad; 4. Making a touch screen usable; 5. Staying safe on mobile
The steps in this guide, in order.

iPhone and iPad

  1. Install Windows App (or Microsoft Remote Desktop) from the App Store.
  2. Tap the plus button and choose Add PC.
  3. Enter the IP address, then add the Administrator credentials.
  4. Tap the connection to start. Pinch to zoom and use a two-finger drag to scroll.

Making a touch screen usable

  • Mouse mode. Most clients can switch between a touch mode and a virtual mouse pointer. Use the pointer for precise clicks on small buttons.
  • On-screen keyboard. Tap the keyboard icon to show it, including Ctrl, Alt and function keys.
  • Landscape. Rotate the device for a much larger view of the desktop.
  • Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. If you will work for longer than a few minutes, pair them. It changes the experience completely.

Staying safe on mobile

Use a strong, unique Administrator password and store it in a password manager rather than typing it on public Wi-Fi. Our Windows RDP security checklist shows how to add Network Level Authentication and limit who can connect.