Tech trick: Turn your phone into a computer mouse
Whether you’re a student, work remotely or work in an office, it’s frustrating when your mouse stops working. Most people routinely work from computers these days, so what can you do if your only mouse is broken?
You can use your smartphone, of course! This may come as a surprise, but you really can use your phone as a mouse in a pinch. Whether you’re using an iOS or Android device, you can benefit. All you need to do is choose a compatible app and go from there.
Just install the app on both your computer and your phone, but remember you’ll need permission to install programs on your work computer. Tap or click here to see what else you can do with a smartphone.
Unified Remote
Unified Remote is an excellent free option for anyone interested in dabbling with alternative mouse solutions. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices and supports Windows, Mac and Linux. The free version has plenty of useful features, including 18 different remotes and third-party keyboard support.
If you spend $3.99, you can unlock additional remote options, such as voice control and screen mirroring. You can simply tap to click, drag with fingers to scroll and perform other gestures similar to normal smartphone navigation to use your computer after you install the companion software.
Easy, right? That’s one cool trick you didn’t know your phone could do, but Android users can tap or click here to learn a few more.
Download Unified Remote for iOS.
Download Unified Remote for Android.
PC Remote
PC Remote is a simplistic app that’s bereft of additional bells and whistles — but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth using. It’s free, works on regular PCs and can turn any smartphone into a touchpad or keyboard. What’s more, it can support game controller features for your computer.
There’s also a projection feature if you need to share a PowerPoint presentation or similar content with an audience. It’s very simple to set up, and while there aren’t many customization options to cycle through, it’s still handy, especially if you just need something quick and easy to help you navigate your computer.
Download PC Remote for Android.
Remote Mouse
Remote Mouse is an easy-to-use app that works with both iOS and Android devices. You can also use it on PC, Mac and Linux. It lets you interact with your computer via touchpad, as if you were controlling a laptop. There’s also an onscreen keyboard for when you need to interact with programs with text. If you don’t like the default sensitivity, there are several options to choose from.
Download Remote Mouse for iOS.
Download Remote Mouse for Android.
Having quick and effective ways to use an auxiliary mouse should help you navigate your computer. Of course, if you’re still rocking a normal mouse, more power to you. You can’t discount classic tech, after all!