Turn Your Android Phone into a PC with These Powerful Apps

With smartphone technology evolving at lightning speed, modern Android devices now rival traditional computers in terms of power and capability. The once basic handheld communication tools have transformed into mini workstations capable of handling productivity, entertainment, multitasking, and even full-scale computing tasks. But what if you could turn your Android phone into a PC?

Well, you can.

Whether you want to boost your mobile productivity or travel without carrying a laptop, there are several powerful apps that bring desktop-like functionality to your Android phone. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to make your Android work like a PC, from UI changers and desktop environments to productivity tools and external display support.

Why Turn Your Android into a PC?

Before diving into the apps, let’s understand the why behind this trend:

Portability: Carry your computing system in your pocket.
Cost-effective: No need to invest in a separate laptop.
Productivity on the go: With a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, your phone becomes a full workstation.
Data synchronization: Avoid syncing files between devices; everything stays on your phone.

1. Sentio Desktop (Formerly Andromium OS)

Best For: Desktop-like interface with multi-window support

Description:
Sentio Desktop transforms your Android phone into a desktop experience, mimicking Windows or Chrome OS. When paired with a mouse, keyboard, and external display, your phone operates like a desktop PC.

Features:

Start menu and taskbar
Windowed apps
File explorer
Notification tray
App drawer with drag-and-drop features

Pros:

Clean and intuitive interface
Great for tablets and larger phones
Lightweight and responsive

Cons:

Some advanced features require paid version
Limited compatibility with certain Android versions

2. Samsung DeX

Best For: Samsung Galaxy users seeking a full desktop environment

Description:
Samsung DeX is arguably the most polished “Android to PC” experience. Connect your Samsung device to a monitor using a USB-C to HDMI cable, and the phone shifts into a desktop UI.

Features:

Multi-window support
Right-click functions
Full browser experience
Desktop versions of Microsoft Office, Adobe apps

Pros:

Smooth performance
Great compatibility with peripherals
Secure environment with Samsung Knox

Cons:

Only available on select Samsung models
Limited third-party app optimization

3. Microsoft Remote Desktop

Best For: Accessing your actual PC from anywhere

Description:
This isn’t a transformation app per se but a powerful way to access your full-fledged Windows PC remotely. With Microsoft Remote Desktop, your Android phone acts like a window into your computer.

Features:

Access all desktop applications
Secure encrypted connection
Multi-monitor support
Touch and gesture navigation

Pros:

Ideal for business and IT professionals
No need to carry your laptop
Can control PC from anywhere

Cons:

Requires stable internet
Dependent on host PC’s uptime

4. Leena Desktop UI

Best For: Lightweight alternative to full desktop apps

Description:
Leena is more of a launcher than a full OS replacement. It gives your phone a desktop-like interface without root or complex setup. Apps launch in windowed mode similar to a PC.

Features:

Multi-window mode
Sidebar and file manager
App launcher
Web apps integration

Pros:

Small size and easy to install
Good for older phones
No bloatware

Cons:

Limited multitasking support
Not updated frequently

5. Termux

Best For: Developers and command-line users

Description:
Termux combines a powerful terminal emulation with a Linux environment. It’s ideal for coders, system admins, and developers who want Linux power on their phone.

Features:

Full Linux package repository
Python, Node.js, Git, SSH support
Bash and ZSH shell
Compatible with external keyboard

Pros:

Extremely powerful and customizable
No root required
Developer-focused

Cons:

Steep learning curve
Not suitable for casual users

6. VNC Viewer + Linux Deploy

Best For: Running a full Linux desktop on Android

Description:
This combination lets you install a Linux distro (like Ubuntu or Debian) on your Android device. VNC Viewer acts as the front-end while Linux Deploy installs the OS.

Features:

Full desktop environment (XFCE, LXDE, MATE)
Customize OS packages
SSH and VNC access
Full Linux software support

Pros:

Real Linux experience
Compatible with many distros
Open-source and flexible

Cons:

Complex setup
Slower performance on older devices

7. Jide’s Remix OS Player (Discontinued but available)

Best For: Android PC emulation

Description:
Though no longer officially supported, Remix OS Player is still available from third-party sources. It runs Android apps in a desktop-style interface on your phone or tablet.

Features:

Start menu and taskbar
Multiple window support
Enhanced gaming performance
Google Play support

Pros:

Great for emulating productivity workflows
Familiar desktop layout

Cons:

No official updates
Compatibility issues on newer Android versions

8. Microsoft Office & WPS Office Suite

Best For: Document editing and office tasks

Description:
No PC setup is complete without an office suite. Microsoft Office mobile and WPS Office provide robust tools for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations—all optimized for Android.

Features:

Open, edit, and create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files
Cloud sync (OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive)
PDF reading and editing
Templates and document scanner

Pros:

Reliable performance
Cloud storage and sync
Keyboard shortcuts and gestures

Cons:

Ads in free versions (WPS)
Limited advanced functions compared to desktop

9. Taskbar App – PC-Style Launcher

Best For: Customizing Android interface like Windows

Description:
Taskbar creates a floating app drawer and start menu on your Android. Combine this with Android’s split-screen function for a more PC-like multitasking experience.

Features:

Start menu launcher
Recent apps list
Supports Android multi-window
Search bar and custom categories

Pros:

Lightweight and simple
Works well on older phones
Great for tablets and Chromebooks

Cons:

Not a full desktop environment
Limited app support in windowed mode

10. Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse Support

Best For: Input like a PC

Description:
Pairing a wireless keyboard and mouse with your Android device takes productivity to the next level. Most modern Android versions support Bluetooth HID profiles, enabling smooth input control.

Features:

Typing and navigation like a real PC
Shortcut support (e.g., Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V)
Custom key mapping options

Pros:

Fast and intuitive input
Helps with coding, writing, editing
Wide compatibility

Cons:

Need to carry extra peripherals
May require a stand or docking station

How to Set Up a Full Android-to-PC Experience

To get the most out of these apps, follow this setup:

Hardware Requirements:

Android phone with USB-C port
Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (or USB OTG hub)
External display (TV, monitor, or portable screen)
HDMI adapter or Miracast-compatible screen

Recommended Setup Steps:

Install Desktop UI App – Use Sentio or Samsung DeX.
Pair Bluetooth Devices – Connect your keyboard/mouse.
Connect to Display – Via HDMI or wirelessly with screen mirroring.
Open Productivity Apps – Launch Office Suite, browser, or code editor.
Customize with Launchers – Use Taskbar or Leena UI for better UX.

Final Thoughts

With the right apps and setup, your Android phone can become a legitimate PC alternative. Whether you’re a student trying to study on the go, a professional looking to work remotely, or a developer coding from a café, these tools let you do much more without a bulky laptop.

The flexibility of Android, paired with app innovation, bridges the gap between phones and PCs. So why carry two devices when one smart setup does it all?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is it safe to use Linux or remote desktop apps on Android?

Yes, as long as you download from trusted sources and keep your device updated, it’s safe. Use encrypted connections for remote desktop apps.

Q2: Can I replace my laptop entirely with a phone?

For basic productivity tasks like browsing, writing, emails, and light coding—yes. For heavy gaming, video editing, or compiling, laptops still hold the edge.