If you’re anything me, you’ve Rooted your Android phone and you’re looking for all of the coolest apps available to you. For a long time I’ve been looking for a great app that would allow me to remotely access my HTC DROID Incredible using VNC. Why would I want to remotely access my phone you ask? I’m lazy. No, just kidding. π
Benefits of remote access:
- Access to your phone if it’s not immediately with you.
- Ability to create a screencast.
- Faster screen shots.
- Ability to help & support other Android users.
- Access your phone if you’re at work or school and don’t want to look like you’re on your phone. π
- etc…
Well, now I have discovered Droid VNC Server. Created by onaips at the XDA forums.
Droid VNC Server is a great little app. It’s not without it’s bugs, but the bugs that I have do not even come close to outweighing it’s positives. While I have not officially seen any confirmations of Droid VNC Server working on the Incredible, it does work quite nicely for me. In regards to other Android phones, your mileage may vary, but you can check out onaips blog to see a small listing of confirmed functional devices.
Ok, enough talking. How do I use this thing?
Step 1: Preparing your computer
You will have to be sure that you have a VNC Viewer installed on your computer first. Here’s a quick list of programs that can be used:
- Linux – Remote Desktop Viewer (However, I use the command line). Remote Desktop Viewer is pre-installed in Ubuntu.
- Mac – Chicken of the VNC.
- Windows – RealVNC.
Step 2: Preparing your Android device
- Scan the QR Code at the top of the page to be directed to the Droid VNC Server page in the Android Market.
- Open Droid VNC Server and tap Start Server.
- Suggestion – Connect to a wireless signal that your computer is also using or use USB. (
I have not yet tested USB &Verizon does not support VNC through 3G) - Feel free to modify any of the options in Menu > Settings. (I’d recommend a password)
Step 3: Connect to your Device
- Open your VNC Viewer of choice and type in the IP:Port that you see listed on the Droid VNC Server home screen.
- Type in your password if needed.
- You should now see your Android Device!
Some helpful things to know:
Some possible incorrect keybindings: (I have a feeling this is an Android thing…)
- = sends +
- ! sends ~
- ~ sends 0
- < sends *
- > sends #
- / sends :
These are important to know: π
- home = home
- right-click = home, also
- pg up = menu
- pg down = call
- pg down long press = redial most recent
- esc = back
- del = back, also
- end = phone sleep
- type = from the home screen random typing will initiate google search
Here are some instructions for using VNC through USB:
I have heard that USB will provide a faster VNC connection. With adb installed and the device plugged in via USB:
adb forward tcp:5901 tcp:5901
adb forward tcp:5801 tcp:5801
Using your preferred VNC Viewer, connect to:
localhost:5901
YouTube How To (Not created by me)
Open Source 
Posted by tagesgeldkonten on November 9, 2010 at 6:47 am
Please, can you PM me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog…gets solved properly asap.
Posted by excedio on November 10, 2010 at 11:57 am
Feel free to ask here so that everyone can benefit from your questions. π
Posted by Khanina on November 12, 2010 at 1:04 am
This is a good blog message, I will keep the post in my mind. If you can add more video and pictures can be much better. Because they help much clear understanding. π thanks Khanina.
Posted by excedio on November 15, 2010 at 6:42 am
Hi there,
I’ve actually been thinking of doing exactly that. However in this particular post, there is a video at the bottom created by a different user. π
Posted by Richard on November 12, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Wondering about further command keys to send to my EVO, a command for the search softkey would be sweet. And maybe I just missed it but can I do my own hot-key binding with Droid VNC? Thanks for posting!
Posted by excedio on November 15, 2010 at 6:57 am
I played a bit more with trying to find key bindings and discovered three new ones:
* pg down long press = redial most recent
* end = phone sleep
* type = from the home screen random typing will initiate google search
Regarding creating your own bindings, I would highly suggest visiting the developer thread over at XDA. They would be able to assist you the best.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=710805
Posted by bet365 on November 22, 2010 at 4:16 am
hi I was luck to discover your topic in bing
your topic is quality
I get much in your topic really thanks very much
btw the theme of you blog is really brilliant
where can find it
Posted by excedio on November 22, 2010 at 6:30 am
It’s called Spring Loaded. Used in WordPress. π
Posted by davr on August 15, 2011 at 11:42 am
You know these are all spam comments, posted by automatic spambots, right?
Posted by excedio on August 15, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Yea, I’m aware, I havn’t touched my blog in a while for personal reasons, I really need to clean things up. Thanks. π
Posted by Ed on December 7, 2010 at 10:07 am
“?” Will bring up search if at the home screen.
Is anyone seeing problems typing a capital “A”? Shift-A seems to work like a caps lock key.
Posted by excedio on December 8, 2010 at 6:42 am
To bring up Search from the home screen, just start typing what you would like to search for. This will automatically bring up the Search box. As for typing a Capital “A” I have not seen this with my phone. Are you using the stock Android keyboard or something different? I use the HTC Sense keyboard.
Posted by Mit dem Android-VNC-Server "droid VNC" das Android-Smartphone fΓΌr Remote Desktop-Verbindungen konfigurieren / Weblog / php-web-developer.de on January 9, 2011 at 12:45 pm
[…] Hier die Installationsanleitung auf englisch: https://opensourceexcedio.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/droid-vnc-server/ […]
Posted by Richard Rost on January 24, 2011 at 2:45 am
Hello. I’m trying to use your app on a Viewsonic GTab running TNT Lite 4 (rooted). The server runs and I can connect to it using both TightVNC and RealVNC, but all I get is a black screen. Clicks work just fine, and stuff happens on the Tab, but nothing comes on the screen on the PC. Any ideas?
Posted by excedio on January 25, 2011 at 3:22 pm
As much as I would love to take credit for crating this app, I can’t. This app is under the ownership of onaips from the XDA forum. I would suggest sending this type of troubleshooting question to them. Good luck. π
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=710805
Posted by Herausforderung: Mit PC einen IRC client auf dem Handy bedienen on February 6, 2011 at 11:20 am
[…] Was genau ist adb und wie kan ich das auf mein SGS insterlieren ? wolte nemlich vnc durch USB machen durch WLAn habe ich es schon geschaft aber nun brauche ich dieses adb und ich weis nicht was das ist xD http://opensourceexcedio.wordpress.c…id-vnc-server/ […]
Posted by Michael H. Warfield on March 15, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Seems to crash if I have rotation anything other than 0. Landscape mode just crashes the server back to “Stopped” with no error or explanation. This is on an EVO running CM7-RC2.
Autorotate option would be nice.
Posted by excedio on August 15, 2011 at 12:21 pm
I agree, that would be nice. The best way to get that would be to contact the developer. π
onaips@gmail.com
Posted by Leion on August 11, 2011 at 10:37 am
Recommended! I love this!
Posted by excedio on August 15, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Glad it’s working for you. π
Be sure to thank the developer too.
Posted by betterhayden (@betterhayden) on August 20, 2011 at 10:44 pm
I can’t speak for pre-Leopard, as I do not remember but from Leopard on VNC is built-in to Mac, so Mac OS X.5+ users do not have to install a VNC client.
Under the Finder app, Click Go, Select Connect to Server, Enter vnc://server_ip_or_name:port_if_not_default_vnc_port
Posted by excedio on August 21, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Good to know. π
Posted by Scott Genevish on September 14, 2011 at 11:07 am
Any idea how I can start the server from a command line? We use this for remote testing of apps on the phone, and sometimes the server refuses new connections. I can kill the server with:
adb kill
But then I need to restart it. I’ve gotten as far as this:
adb shell am start -a org.onaips.vnc.StartAtBootService -n org.onaips.vnc/org.onaips.vnc.MainActivity
This opens the preference pane, but I still need to click the Start Server button. How can I start it from adb?
Posted by Scott Genevish on September 15, 2011 at 9:02 am
OK, I figured it out (I was overthinking it):
adb shell /data/data/org.onaips.vnc/files/androidvncserver
Posted by excedio on October 1, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Glad you were able to sort it out. π
Posted by andrew on November 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Hi, could someone tell me can i somehow to setup this nice animal on my HTC wildfire ? Market say that it is incompatible, but is situation really so bad ?
Posted by excedio on March 19, 2012 at 7:49 am
Give it a shot. But really, your best bet is to contact the developer.
onaips@gmail.com
Posted by Bass-O-Matic on November 28, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Hello. I’ve been using your app and love it. Running up against something though. Keybindings.
When I type / I get :
I have others that are not working but if I can solve that one… I’ll be way ahead.
Posted by excedio on March 19, 2012 at 7:52 am
I have added your comment as a “possible incorrect keybinding.” Your best bet for a solution is to contact the developer:
onaips@gmail.com
Posted by Trang on December 12, 2011 at 1:12 pm
I’d like to add to “Benefits of remote access”, use it to support & help other users.
Posted by excedio on March 19, 2012 at 7:56 am
Added. π
Posted by Whitney Young on January 5, 2012 at 3:09 pm
What exactly do you mean by “Verizon does not support VNC through 3G”? Does Verizon not allow the transfer of the data over its 3G network?
Posted by excedio on March 19, 2012 at 8:06 am
What I meant was, Verizon seems to block the ability to do VNC through their network. I have never been able to get it to work. If you do, please feel free to share.
Posted by Yandot on February 9, 2012 at 5:56 am
Another reason to put in your benefits list at the beginning of the blog message is mine: working long time with the phone makes pain to my eyes and shoulder, using the pc screen for that I feel much better!
Posted by Android via VNC fernsteuern — LinuxDoku's Notizblog on February 27, 2012 at 2:17 pm
[…] Hier gibt es noch ein paar mehr Beschreibungen und auch eine Auflistung der verfΓΌgbaren Tastenkombinationen: https://opensourceexcedio.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/droid-vnc-server/ […]
Posted by RenΓ© on March 14, 2012 at 8:48 am
How can i simulate the Long Home Button Press for the Task Manager in Galaxy S2 ?
Posted by Anuj Sheth on March 17, 2012 at 1:20 am
do i have to root my phone to make this work
Posted by excedio on March 19, 2012 at 7:46 am
The app description in the Google Play Store states the following:
Posted by Anuj Sheth on March 17, 2012 at 7:28 pm
is it legal to root or will it affect my service from at&t..please reply
Posted by excedio on March 19, 2012 at 7:46 am
It is not illegal to root your device.
Posted by Cenzor on May 1, 2012 at 10:51 am
it is not illegal to root, but it will void your warranty for sure
Posted by jose on August 8, 2012 at 2:31 pm
no es ilegal no te cubre la garatia porque tenes permiso para ejecutar y cambiar cualquier cosa si tocas cosas que no tenes que tocar puede dejar de andar tu distositivo
Posted by Rob on March 27, 2012 at 11:39 am
NO Copy Paste for Samsung Galaxy TAB 10.1
Im using the Droid VNC Server 1.0a3 on the Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Im Battling to get the Copy/Paste Function to work from the Server to the client.
I can Copy/Paste on the Server… But the App doesnt pass the Data to the Client for Use on the Client. Neither does it work the Other Way.
I would love to Pass Paragraphs of Date to my TAB from my PC but this is Impossible.
Im Using REAL VNC Enterprize on the PC Client.
Anyone having that problem – Or NOT Having that Problem.
Real Vnc normally has a clipboard App running in the Background of its Servers, But it appears Not on Droid VNC Server.
Plz Reply Someone…. ?
Posted by RegalRico on April 4, 2012 at 11:41 am
I followed all of the steps and got it working but the image I’m receiving on my cpu screen is distorted…. Any way to fix that?
Posted by CaptainPackers on April 12, 2012 at 2:36 pm
is there a way to copy text from your desktop and paste it into a text box in the vnc image of the phone. would be most useful to copy and paste passwords from a password vault to the phone that way
Posted by Sn00ch on May 27, 2012 at 7:32 am
Hmmm seems not to work on my Desktop =( Is it because I’m on LAN Connection with my PC? Every time I try to connect to my device it pops up an error message “unable to resolve host by name (11004)”
Posted by crazytemplarCrazytempler on June 8, 2012 at 8:23 pm
When i start it on my phone (Xperia X8) It stays in “Starting server. Please wait” And i can do nothing about it but going to the homescreen and restating the phone D:
Posted by Ixany on July 11, 2012 at 8:21 am
Any known issue with bell(canada) network ? It seems i cant get through to my ip…
Posted by OphyTe on August 27, 2012 at 11:51 am
Hello, any idea on why controls don’t work on SGS II ?
I have to make a left click after any keybind to have a result ! And typing text is not even thinkable !
Posted by jianglh on August 31, 2012 at 11:05 am
Last time i try JellyBean but can not start,but when can support JellyBean?
Posted by propro on September 19, 2012 at 10:26 am
do those ADP forwarding commands for USB remote reset upon reboot of the phone? works for me until i reboot the phone. then i have to reapply the adb forwardding commands.
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Posted by Bill on October 22, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Could you please add a restart button to the on/off button page. Then orientation could be changed, and restart hit.
Also, explain reverse connection, and perhaps correct (?) text on reverse connection. Currently I see Input {host:port}: [Swap lt/gt for {}, here.] I’m guessing the 2nd colon there shouldn’t be present.
As for explanation, I expect this is for a reverse vnc calling out to a listening vnc server. Which would be VERY nice – except it doesn’t work. Tried to my laptop ip port 5500 after putting it into listening mode, hit start server, and, well, it started the server. It didn’t call out to the listening server on port 5500, it just started the normal server.
Posted by Metanei on November 15, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Hi,
I found that you can rotate the screen with F4 key. Then you only need to close and open again VNC-Viewer (on the computer) to get re-sized screen.
Any one knows how to press “Send” button on WattsApp? Or how to “tap” the screen with the computer Keyboard? With this the App will be the best one!
Posted by jh on December 30, 2012 at 5:51 am
mine doesnt work
mean that i can operate bt cant see my phone screen
Posted by Adel Ejjeh on January 2, 2013 at 3:12 pm
hello, I am using the app on my Galaxy S3, and i use chicken of the vnc on my mac as a client. For some reason there appears to be some kind of lag when I use my computer’s keyboard. After I type anything, I should click on the screen so that the words appear in the text box. Any idea or help?
Posted by Alladin on January 9, 2013 at 9:22 am
I managed to make it work but the mouse on the PC does not control the android it move
please help
thanks
Posted by Dale.E on January 21, 2013 at 12:19 pm
does anyone know of a VNC ‘like’ system that would allow remote management of a fleet of android devices without rooting? we have over 50 phones and some tablets all around the country, users continously need my help adjusting things.
a remote system would assist me a lot!!!
rooting while great for advanced users, would likly bring in more problems than VNC would solve.
Posted by Raspberry Pi dude on March 7, 2013 at 3:07 am
how do i root Samsung Galaxy Ace (s580)?
Posted by Andy on March 13, 2013 at 11:53 am
I am trying to get DroidVNC to work on a Pandigital Tablet. When the PC trys to connect, the Droid Server on the tablet stops.
I can’t figure out what I can do to make this work!
I have read that others have been able to make it work.
Any help would be great!
Posted by BubbLeT on March 21, 2013 at 3:32 am
Have a problem runnning it on my nexus 7. It’s Stock Rom 4.2.2 runnning Motley kernal at 1.6gh. I can set up the server on my tablet with root but the problem is that when i try to connect to my tablet through the adress, i get the error:
Network ErrorL Connection was reset.
It seems is not compatible with jellybean or just my device.
Posted by Nirmit on March 31, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Hi, I am not able to access the phone/tab.
I can only see the screen on pc. I am not able to use my mouse or keybord.
Cursor becomes cross[x] on vnc viewer. Any solution for this ?
Posted by coursencore on April 3, 2013 at 6:18 am
Hi, my phone screen is broken and I thought of the solution of using droid-vnc-server to use it while waiting for repair.
I downloaded the latest version found on https://github.com/oNaiPs/droid-VNC-server/tree/master/bin because I cannot go and get it through googleplay (since I can’t see anything)
The command line to start it would not work, I have no “/data/data/org.onaips.vnc/files/androidvncserver” on the phone after install made by “pm install *****.apk”
Any idea of how to make things work?
Thanks for your blog and thanks to Onaips!
Posted by Uriel on April 6, 2013 at 11:15 pm
really great app. But on my phone, keyboard presses appear only after moving the mouse.
Posted by deepak on June 4, 2013 at 2:44 am
Hi ,
i have rooted my device that is gt-s6802. and install droid vnc server it is conecting but it is not showing device display on my PC . I mean the viewer window is opening but it is totally black there is nothing from my device on it .
could you please tell me why do i have this type of issue . and how can i solve it …?
Posted by serhat ipek on June 24, 2013 at 12:34 am
Can you please explain how we can type ? connection and everything perfectly fine but does not seem to be able to write anything from pc
Posted by giuseppe on September 10, 2013 at 7:46 am
hello, i’ve a problem:
if i use the app on a wifi and the notebook on an another one i cannot connect them..what do i need? static ip address?
i would really appreciate your help
thanks
Posted by michael on November 5, 2013 at 2:49 am
Why does it need to be on a rooted phone? Its only displaying what would be on the screen, I have a note 2 clone phone is it possible to root it?
Posted by Vishesh on November 24, 2013 at 5:07 am
It isn’t working for me both on reminna (ubuntu) and on VNC client for chrome. It connects and everything, but I can’t see anything, the display is all messed up! π¦ Please help.
Android jellybean | Ubuntu chrome.
Posted by Wonee on November 26, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Hi there I am in a situation where I can’t use the touch on my galaxy 2s phone and I can’t either see the screen coz it’s all black. So I thought this tightvnc software shall be useful. My phone is locked by pattern and the usb drive wouldn’t show up on my PC that’s problem and I have no clue about the VNC server that I have to submit when I click on the the viewer. Can you please help? My email is woneeh@gmail.com thank you.
Posted by mattia on December 30, 2013 at 2:29 pm
i have rooted my device but vnc do not start.
How can i resolve that?
Posted by komaw on January 24, 2014 at 9:11 am
good
Posted by ADB install – Android system | [ADS-B aeronautical radar - Initial page] & [GSM cracking] (RTL-SDR concept)!!! on January 30, 2014 at 7:39 am
[…] You can use this link to make the connection: https://opensourceexcedio.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/droid-vnc-server/ […]
Posted by Www.Youtube.Com on February 7, 2014 at 1:18 pm
This will only display if you have not set up encryption in the Wireless Tether for Root Users.
When Android first began way back in 2008 and phones were beginning to be unlocked with root, the
process to root was crude and complex. The virus, varicella
zoster virus known to cause chicken pox in children and adults, is often not eliminated from the body, even after the disease is treated.
Posted by Armando LΓ³pez on February 18, 2014 at 10:45 am
Hello.
I’m able to connect to my nexus 4, even it gets the inputs from the ouse, the problem is that there is no image! VNC only shows a black screen.
I have already tried with all the “Display Access Method” options with no luck.
Can u help?
Thanks
Posted by Come Controllare a Distanza Android - Controllo Remoto con Droid Vnc Server - tecnomani.com on March 4, 2014 at 6:04 pm
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Posted by G DANTE on June 28, 2014 at 10:54 pm
When I scan the qr code it does not do what you say in the instructions to root my phone, it says Scan the QR Code at the top of the page. To be directed to the Droid VNC Server page in the Android Market, it takes me to the adroid market but when I press install it says. Droid vnc server will be installed on your device soon, up to that point i can go the droid vnc server never gets installed, whats the problem
Posted by Abhioxic on July 15, 2014 at 9:52 am
Its an amazing initiative!! However i have some question!
First how can i exchange clip boards, ie from computer to droid and vv. wen i copy on pc and try to paste it via long pressing doesn’t work and CtrlV gives no reply..
Also pressing right click or anything other than touch wont respond till i touch again. Ie i press home but it wont go home now wen i touch or left click it will go home and then execute touch.
and about binding i couldn’t see on the xda post. I hope future realease will make it much better caz its working and all it needs are some architects!!
Kudos!! Although i dont know the meaning of Kudos..
Posted by Foster on September 3, 2014 at 2:50 pm
Hi.
I did all according this page, I can see in windows screen with adroid tablet, but I’m not able to click any icon on tablet. No input.
Thx.
Posted by igmrlm on October 28, 2014 at 2:31 pm
I cannot seem to get the colour space correct on my moto g.. It always produces white glitched background however the input seems to work.
Posted by Balubeto on December 9, 2014 at 6:48 am
What guide should I follow to obtain the rights to the root of a smartphone Huawei Ascend Y530-U00 with Android 4.4.4 so that I can configure it, manage it and use it without limits?
Thanks
Bye