Windows Setup
Platform-specific notes for running the desktop companion on Windows.
Requirements
- Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11
- A Wi-Fi network shared with your Android phone
Installing
Run the .exe or .msi installer from the Download page. No
administrator rights are required for a per-user install; the system-wide
installer will prompt for elevation.
How input injection works
The Windows build uses Windows.Gaming.Input and Windows.UI.Input.Preview.Injection
under the hood to present a virtual controller to the OS. This means games
and applications see it exactly like a physical Xbox-compatible controller —
no game-specific configuration is needed.
Firewall prompts
On first launch, Windows Defender Firewall will ask whether to allow the app on private networks. Allow it — this is required for your phone to discover and connect to the desktop companion.
Common issues
The phone can't find my PC. Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network, which often isolates clients from each other), and that the firewall prompt was accepted.
A game doesn't detect the controller. Some older titles only poll for controllers at launch. Connect your phone before starting the game rather than after.