Give support from your phone (Android operator app)
Connect to computers and Android TVs from your phone with Polpo Desk Operator: touch mouse, keyboard, clipboard, file transfer and chat.
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Polpo Desk Operator is the app that lets support teams connect from an Android phone to remote computers and Android devices. You sign in with your Polpo Desk account; your device list, favorites and session history are the same as in the desktop console. The app requires Android 8.0 or later.
Installing the app
Polpo Desk Operator is available on Google Play. The app is free to download and works on every Polpo Desk plan, including the Free plan.
- On your phone, open the Polpo Desk Operator page on Google Play, or search for "Polpo Desk Operator" in Google Play.
- Tap Install and wait for the installation to finish.
- Open the app. It appears as Polpo Desk on your home screen and in your app list.
App updates arrive through Google Play. The app needs an internet connection to work.
Signing in
- Open the app.
- Enter your Polpo Desk account details in the Email and Password fields.
- If a security check appears, complete it and tap Sign in.
At the bottom of the app there are four tabs: Connect, Devices, History and Settings.
Connecting
- On the Connect tab, enter the device's 9-digit ID. If you're on the same network, you can also enter an IP address or computer name.
- Choose the connection type: Control, View or Files.
- Tap Connect.
When you connect without a password, the Waiting for approval screen opens; the remote screen appears once the other side approves. If you know the password, enter it on this screen and tap Connect with password to connect without waiting.
On the Devices tab you can search the devices in your address book, filter them by All, Online and Favorites, and narrow them down by group and tag with the filter button. When you tap a device, a window opens where you can enter the password (leave it empty to ask for approval), tick Remember password and choose the connection type. Only the device's permanent access password is remembered; the one-time password changes every time, so it isn't saved.
Session menu
During a session, tap the menu button on the screen to reach the tools:
- Keyboard — a special keyboard with Ctrl, Alt, Win, Esc, the F keys and arrow keys. Use Phone keyboard to switch to your phone's own keyboard.
- Direct / Touchpad — switches the touch mode (see below).
- Screen — switches to the next monitor if the remote computer has more than one.
- Quality — cycles between Balanced, High and Fast.
- Files — browse folders on the remote computer, New folder and Upload.
- Chat — message the other side.
- Paste — sends text from your phone to the remote computer.
- Ctrl+Alt+Del, Rotate, Fit to screen and End.
In a View session, the keyboard, touch mode, paste and Ctrl+Alt+Del are disabled.
Touch modes
| Gesture | Direct | Touchpad |
|---|---|---|
| Tap | Left-click at that point | Left-click at the pointer |
| Press and hold | Right-click | Hold and slide to drag |
| One-finger slide | Drag with the left button | Moves the pointer |
| Two-finger tap | — | Right-click |
| Two-finger pinch | Zoom | Zoom |
| Two-finger slide | Wheel (scroll) | Wheel (scroll) |
In Touchpad mode, a double tap double-clicks. When you switch modes, a short reminder appears on the screen.
Clipboard and files
- Text copied on the remote computer arrives on your phone's clipboard if Copy remote clipboard to phone is on in Settings.
- When files are copied on the remote computer, you can download them from Files.
- When the other side sends you a file, the app asks you; tap Save to save it to your phone.
For details, see File transfer and Clipboard sharing.
Connecting to Android devices from your phone
When you connect to an Android TV or phone, your taps are applied as taps on the device, and the arrow keys on the special keyboard move the focus. The mobile app doesn't have a separate remote panel; the remote panel is in the desktop console. See Virtual remote.
History and settings
- The History tab lists your sessions with their durations for Today, 7 days, 30 days or a range you choose with Dates.
- The Settings tab has Pointer size, Pointer speed, Copy remote clipboard to phone, Language, Theme and the default Quality, plus the app version. Sign out signs you out of your account.
Having trouble?
If the app shows a No internet connection or Can't reach the server screen, check your Wi-Fi or mobile data and tap Try again. When the connection comes back, the app reconnects on its own.
If you can't connect to a device, see Can't connect to a device.