Controlling a PC from your mobile device is no longer just about commercial tools designed for remote support. In recent months, PCLink has been gaining popularity with a different approach: a web-first project that combines a desktop application —the “server” installed on the computer— with a mobile client for Android, designed for agile management of the device with a focus on privacy.
The idea is simple yet powerful: the computer runs a local service that exposes a web interface and API, turning the phone into a control panel. From there, you can browse files, transfer documents, view running processes, send text as keyboard input, use the mobile device as a trackpad, or even initiate remote screenshot captures and access a terminal in certain environments.
A “web-first” architecture that avoids relying on large desktop clients
PCLink is presented as a “modern” application with a browser-accessible interface, reducing dependence on heavy graphical components and facilitating access across different devices. Its official architecture details a backend based on FastAPI and Uvicorn (an ASGI server), with a modern web interface leveraging WebSocket for real-time updates.
This approach offers a practical benefit: instead of forcing users to use a specific client, control is managed through a web panel and a pairing system, allowing the same “host” to be managed from multiple devices and scenarios.
What can you do with PCLink from your phone
On the Google Play store, PCLink is described as a “wireless control center” for the PC. That same description lists features aimed at everyday use: file management, real-time progress transfers, support for zip/unzip, image thumbnails, basic system monitoring (CPU, RAM, storage, network), multimedia control, and power management (shutdown, restart, suspend).
Additionally, the app includes typical utilities for a mobile-PC hybrid environment: clipboard synchronization, remote captures, macros to automate actions, and a launchpad for applications. The app listing clarifies that there is a Premium feature model available via payment, while the server remains open-source licensed.
Security: passwords, sessions, HTTPS, and API keys (no “magic”)
Where PCLink emphasizes—and where debate often centers with such tools—is in security. The project documents several mechanisms:
- Web interface with authentication via password and sessions.
- Mandatory HTTPS, with self-signed certificates generated by the system.
- API key authentication for device access.
- Session management with expiration (noted as a 24-hour cycle with automatic cleanup).
- QR pairing and a device approval/revocation system via the interface.
Its technical documentation also describes the use of PBKDF2 for password hashing and HTTP-only cookies for session management. The practical takeaway is clear: PCLink tries to make the “easy way” also the most secure by default, although, like any remote control tool, the actual security depends on deployment — for example, whether it’s exposed to the internet without additional measures.
Support for Wayland and improving Linux compatibility
Linux has historically been the most challenging platform: different desktops, permissions, system tray, screenshots… and increasingly, Wayland as the new graphics backbone in many distributions.
In version v3.1.0, released on December 26, 2025, PCLink introduces “native compatibility” with Wayland and specifies common dependencies for screenshots and clipboard based on the environment: from xdg-desktop-portal to tools like wl-clipboard, grim, or gnome-screenshot. This version also adds a transfer control panel in the web interface to monitor uploads/downloads, detect stale transfers, and set auto-cleanup thresholds (default of 7 days).
This detail is significant: if PCLink aims to be a daily tool, file transfers must be reliable, recoverable, and easy to manage—especially when the phone goes in and out of coverage or the app closes.
An important note: the packaging change that prevented “breaking” old installations
An important part of the project’s history regards Linux packaging. The repository includes a notice: users with PCLink v2.3.0 or earlier needed to uninstall before upgrading due to issues with packages generated via FPM and faulty maintenance scripts. From v2.4.0+, it migrated to NFPM to achieve more reliable install/uninstall processes and improve support for DEB and RPM packages.
In the Linux ecosystem, where a bad package experience can “spoil” the device, such changes often determine whether a tool is merely tested for an afternoon or adopted as a stable utility.
Why it matters for advanced users (and homes too)
Beyond the “want to move the mouse from the couch,” PCLink targets several user profiles:
- Admins and IT professionals seeking to check system status, monitor processes, or perform quick actions without a full session.
- Home users controlling a PC connected to a TV or transferring files between devices.
- Mixed Windows + Linux environments where a web panel and pairing system simplify access.
While it doesn’t replace classic remote desktop solutions in all cases, it presents an alternative oriented toward light management and control, more akin to an “admin panel” than a full desktop emulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I control a PC from my phone without using TeamViewer or AnyDesk?
PCLink offers a different model: a local server on the PC with a web interface and an Android client focused on file management, multimedia controls, monitoring, and system actions, without relying on proprietary platforms.
Is it safe to use PCLink outside the house or on public networks?
PCLink implements HTTPS, authentication, and API keys. However, exposing any remote control tool outside a home network requires caution. In external scenarios, it’s best to avoid direct access and support it with additional measures (like private networks) to reduce attack surface.
Does PCLink work well on Linux with Wayland and GNOME?
Version v3.1.0 includes native support for Wayland and specifies dependencies for screenshots and clipboard. Still, GNOME may require extra configuration for the system tray and permissions, as acknowledged in the project documentation.
What does it mean that PCLink is licensed under AGPL-3.0?
The AGPL-3.0 license allows using, modifying, and redistributing the software, but it imposes obligations if you offer derived services to third parties: in some cases, modifications must be shared under the same license, which is especially relevant for commercial use.