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KDE Connect lets a paired phone act as a touchpad or keyboard for a Linux computer, as well as control media and share files or links. Install KDE Connect on both devices, pair them over a network that allows local communication, then enable and test the feature you want to use. Exact features depend on your phone platform and Linux desktop.

What you need before setup

  • A Linux PC and a supported phone, both running KDE Connect.
  • A network connection that permits the devices to communicate with each other locally. Being on the same Wi-Fi name is not enough if guest-network rules or client isolation block device-to-device traffic.
  • Access to your distribution’s software center or package repository, plus an app store supported for your phone.

KDE says the desktop component is available for major Linux distributions and desktop environments. Package names vary: depending on the distribution, you may see kdeconnect-kde, kdeconnect-plasma, kdeconnect, or kde-connect. Find the current package in your distribution’s software center or repository rather than copying a command intended for another distribution. KDE Connect’s download page links to current download options for desktop and phone.

Install KDE Connect on your Linux PC and phone

Install the Linux desktop component

  1. Open your Linux distribution’s software center or package manager.
  2. Search for KDE Connect and install the matching desktop package. If you prefer the terminal, use your distribution’s own package documentation to confirm the package name and command.
  3. Launch KDE Connect from the application menu if it does not start automatically.

Install the phone app

KDE lists Android downloads through Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, and F-Droid, and an iOS app through the App Store. Store availability can vary by region; use KDE’s download page for the current links.

Pair your phone and computer

  1. Open KDE Connect on both the Linux PC and the phone.
  2. Wait for the devices to appear in each other’s device list. Both must be running KDE Connect and able to communicate over the network.
  3. Select the computer in the phone app and send a pairing request. Depending on the app version and which device initiated pairing, the screen labels may differ.
  4. Accept the request on the other device. The devices should then show as paired or connected.

If neither device appears, go to the troubleshooting section below before repeating pairing.

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Use the phone as a remote for Linux

Remote input: touchpad and keyboard

In KDE Connect on the phone, open the paired computer and choose the remote input feature. The phone can provide touchpad or keyboard input. Grant any permission the app requests for the feature, then move the pointer or enter a short test in a text field on the PC.

Media and presentation controls

KDE Connect can provide multimedia controls and presentation control. Open the relevant feature for the paired PC and try a basic action, such as pausing media or advancing a slide. What is available can depend on the phone platform and desktop environment.

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Sharing and other features

Depending on platform support and permissions, KDE Connect can also share files, links, and clipboard content; synchronize notifications; ring the phone; show battery status; or run configured commands. Enable only the features you intend to use, and approve the relevant phone permissions. KDE describes the project as “Open Source. Free to use. For any purpose. Forever.” on its official KDE Connect site.

Feature support varies by phone and Linux desktop

Do not assume that every feature works identically on Android and iOS, or on Plasma and other Linux desktops. KDE UserBase notes that some features can be broken or inaccessible outside Plasma, which is the project’s main development environment. GNOME users may prefer GSConnect for closer GNOME integration.

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KDE UserBase also documents iOS limitations including notification synchronization, SMS, keeping a connection alive while the app is off-screen, and virtual display. These are documentation findings, not a guarantee that every current app release behaves the same way. Check the current app listing and KDE’s documentation for the feature you need before relying on it.

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Fix KDE Connect discovery and pairing problems

Confirm both devices can communicate locally

  • Make sure KDE Connect is open or running on both devices.
  • Check that the PC and phone are connected to networks that allow peer-to-peer local traffic. Guest Wi-Fi and client-isolation settings can prevent devices from seeing one another.
  • Temporarily account for VPN routing or network policies that may direct or block local traffic.

Check firewall handling

KDE UserBase says KDE Connect uses dynamic ports 1714–1764 for both TCP and UDP. Firewalls can block the connection, and blocked UDP broadcast packets can prevent discovery. Review the firewall manager for your Linux distribution and allow the required KDE Connect traffic on a trusted local network where the firewall supports that restriction. Avoid opening services broadly to untrusted networks.

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Firewall commands and zone names depend on the distribution, firewall tool, and network configuration. Consult the relevant system documentation rather than applying an example for a different setup.

Retry pairing after fixing the network path

Once local communication is permitted, reopen KDE Connect on both devices and check whether each lists the other. If the devices appear but pairing still fails, send a new request and accept it on the other device.

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