Easily Manage and Control Android Devices Wirelessly with AirDroid
Note: This post was first published on November 26, 2012.
We all love our smartphones and tablets, but sometimes there’s only so much you can do with the single screen view and limited screen size. Wouldn’t it be great to manage all your data on your Android device like you can on a laptop? With AirDroid, you can.
AirDroid lets you connect your Android device with a desktop PC or laptop where you can access files, send/receive SMS, install/uninstall apps, and manage large amounts of data on your Android smartphone or tablet. Oh, and it lets you do this wirelessly.
Getting Started with AirDroid
To begin using AirDroid, ensure your desktop PC or laptop is on the same wireless network as your Android device. This links your mobile device with your desktop PC or laptop.
On your Android device: Go to Google Play and download and install AirDroid. Run the app.
On your desktop PC or laptop: Navigate to web.airdroid.com or enter the IP address shown on your Android device.
Login to AirDroid
You can log in by scanning the QR code or entering a 6-digit code.
To log in via QR code scan: Tap the camera button in the AirDroid app and scan the QR code shown on your browser.
To log in via passcode: Input the 6-digit passcode you see on your Android device into your web browser.
Once you have successfully logged in, you’ll see icons and other relevant information about your device. Your devices are now connected. Let’s get to work.
What You Can Do with AirDroid
After logging in, you can click on any of the icons to start managing and controlling your Android device from your desktop PC.
Here is the list of icons and their functions:
- Messages – Create, receive, or reply to SMS messages.
- Music – Manage and upload music content to your device.
- Contacts – Manage and edit contact details.
- Apps – Manage apps installed on your device or install an app with an APK file from your desktop.
- Ringtones – Manage and upload phone, notification, and alarm ringtones.
- Frequent Contacts – Shows contacts you frequently communicate with.
- Files – File explorer similar to exploring files when your device is plugged into your computer.
- Videos – Manage, view, and upload video files.
- Screenshot – Take screenshots of your Android device (rooted devices only).
- Call Logs – View or delete details of incoming, outgoing, or missed calls.
- Photos – Manage and upload photos on your Android device.
AirDroid Browser ‘Widgets’
There are more features you can use with widgets found on your browser, such as the Clipboard, URL Opener, and Search Bar.
The clipboard allows you to control the clipboard of your device, useful for transferring a long string of text or digits from your computer to your device.
The URL opener opens the copied link on the default browser of your Android device.
Finally, the Search Bar lets you look for apps on the Play Store or Quixey. There are also 5 buttons on the right of the search bar that allow you to:
- Enable “multiple desktops” for better multitasking (see below)
- Compose a text message
- Install apps
- Upload files
- Return to the AirDroid main page
Once you’re done using AirDroid, tap the Disconnect button on your device and quit the app.