Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteKDE Connect does not have one universal “remote control” switch. Pair your phone with your computer, then enable the plugin that matches what you want to do: use the phone as a touchpad and keyboard, control a slideshow, adjust media playback, or run a configured command. Android Accessibility access is relevant to the Android mouse-receiver behavior—not a blanket requirement for every KDE Connect feature.
Before you configure remote controls
Install KDE Connect on both the phone and computer, then pair the devices. KDE says the desktop component is commonly available through your distribution’s repositories; phone apps are distributed through their respective stores. Check KDE Connect’s download page for current download options.
On the computer, open KDE Connect’s settings, select the paired phone, and enable the plugin for the feature you want. The exact setting names and locations can vary by KDE Connect version and desktop environment, so use the labels shown by your installed release rather than expecting one menu path to apply everywhere. See KDE’s KDE Connect guide for the feature overview.
Choose the remote feature that fits your task
| What you want to do | Feature to enable | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Move the pointer or type from the phone | Virtual Input | Provides touchpad-like and keyboard input, including right- and middle-click options. [KDE documentation] |
| Advance or control a slideshow | Presentation or slideshow remote | Provides presentation actions such as previous/next, laser pointer, fullscreen toggle, and exit. [KDE documentation] |
| Control music or other media | Multimedia receiver | Provides playback, track navigation, seeking, media-player selection, and volume controls. [KDE documentation] |
| Trigger an action on the computer | Run Commands | Runs a command configured for the paired device. [KDE documentation] |
Use the phone as a touchpad and keyboard
- In KDE Connect settings on the computer, select the paired phone and enable Virtual Input or the equivalent plugin label in your version.
- On the phone, open KDE Connect, select the computer, and choose Remote input.
- Use the touchpad-like area to move the pointer. Use the keyboard control when you need to type; the interface also provides right- and middle-click options.
KDE’s documentation describes this feature as: “Use your phone as a touchpad and keyboard.” The feature is for general pointer and keyboard interaction, not a dedicated slideshow controller.
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Android Accessibility permission
KDE Connect’s official UserBase documentation explains: “In order to be a fake input device, Android requires that we take the Accessibility permission.” This is tied to the Android mouse-receiver behavior described for remote input. It does not mean every KDE Connect plugin needs Accessibility access.
If the Android app prompts for Accessibility access when you enable or use remote input, follow its prompt and review the corresponding setting in your Android version’s settings interface. Android’s permission screens and labels can differ by version and manufacturer. For other permissions—including SMS-related ones—consider the feature you are enabling and the explanation shown in context; do not grant access for a feature you do not plan to use.
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Control a presentation
- Enable the presentation or slideshow remote feature for the paired phone in KDE Connect settings on the computer.
- On the phone, open the presentation remote feature and connect it to the paired computer.
- Use the phone’s presentation controls while the presentation application is running on the computer.
KDE documents previous and next controls, a laser pointer, a fullscreen toggle (F5), and exit (Esc). It also describes volume-button controls while the phone is locked. These slideshow actions are distinct from Virtual Input: choose the presentation remote for slide actions and pointer highlighting, and Virtual Input for mouse- and keyboard-like interaction. Feature availability can differ by phone platform; check KDE’s current feature overview.
Configure Run Commands carefully
Run Commands lets you configure commands for a selected paired device. KDE’s tutorial describes each command as a name and a shell script. [KDE Connect documentation] Before enabling or running a command, inspect its script: a command started from the phone can have the same effects on the computer as that script, including shutdown, reboot, suspend, hibernate, or locking the screen. KDE’s examples include commands in these categories.
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Check platform support before troubleshooting settings
KDE Connect can be used outside the Plasma desktop, but KDE warns that a particular feature may be broken or inaccessible in another environment. Its feature guide also identifies platform differences between Android, iOS, and desktop systems. In particular, KDE lists Remote Input and Slideshow Remote as one-way from iOS to desktop; do not assume that every feature behaves identically on iOS and Android. Consult the current feature overview for the supported direction and availability of the feature you need.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the phone and computer cannot see each other
When devices on the same local network do not discover one another, check the network and firewall before repeatedly changing plugin permissions. KDE identifies dynamic TCP and UDP ports 1714–1764 for KDE Connect and says firewalls must allow that range. UDP broadcast restrictions can also prevent automatic discovery. Follow KDE’s same-network troubleshooting guidance. Do not treat opening these ports to the public internet as a general fix.
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Connecting across different networks
Cross-network use is a separate, advanced setup—not a requirement for ordinary same-network pairing. KDE describes using OpenVPN for this case. Automatic discovery through UDP broadcast requires bridging (TAP); with a tun device, KDE says a manual connection by IP can still be used. See KDE’s different-networks guidance before attempting it.
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Distinguish a permission issue from a feature or network limit
- Remote input opens but the phone cannot act as a mouse on Android: check whether the app requested the Accessibility permission for its mouse-receiver behavior.
- A particular control is missing or unavailable: confirm that its plugin is enabled for the paired phone, then check KDE’s current feature overview for platform or desktop-environment limits.
- The devices are not paired or cannot discover one another: check that both are on the intended network and that the local firewall allows KDE Connect’s documented port range; UDP broadcast restrictions may also matter.
- Devices are on different networks: review KDE’s VPN guidance; broadcast discovery and manual IP connection have different requirements.
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