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Yes—you can use an Android phone or tablet as an extra display for a Mac or Linux computer, but the easiest method depends on whether you need a true extended desktop or only a mirrored screen. For Mac, Duet Display is the simplest researched option for extending the desktop. For Linux, Deskreen is an easy browser-based way to share a screen, while a true extra desktop generally takes more setup: use Weylus or a virtual display driver and configure a virtual monitor.
A quick test: if you can drag a window from your computer onto the Android screen and keep working with other windows on the main display, you have an extended desktop. If Android only shows what is already on the computer, that is mirroring. The distinction matters especially on Linux, where a streaming app may need a separately created virtual display before it can show an independent desktop.
Choose a method before you install anything
| Method | Best fit | True extended desktop? | Android setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duet Display | Mac users who want the least technical setup | Yes, it is marketed as a second-display option | Duet Android client |
| Deskreen | Mac or Linux users who want an easy browser connection | Only when paired with a virtual display adapter | Web browser |
| Weylus or its Community Edition | Linux users who want open-source streaming and input | Possible, but usually requires virtual-output setup | Web browser |
| Linux Virtual Display Driver plus a streaming tool | Experienced Linux users who need a configurable virtual output | Yes, when correctly configured and paired with streaming software | Depends on the streaming tool |
Duet’s official information describes Android as a second display for Mac or PC, with wired and wireless modes. Its current Mac download path supports macOS 11 and later; check the official Duet site for current downloads and feature details. The sources available here do not establish a native Linux host version, so do not assume that “PC” support includes Linux. Pricing and plan terms can change, so check Duet’s current checkout information before buying.
Deskreen and Weylus connect through a browser, so you do not need a dedicated Android app for those workflows. But browser access by itself does not create a separate Linux monitor. Deskreen explicitly says a virtual display adapter is needed for a genuine extended-screen setup; without one, it is principally screen or window sharing. Deskreen’s site explains that distinction.
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Before you start
- Choose a tablet if you can. A phone can work for chat, music controls, monitoring, a terminal, or portrait-oriented reference material. A tablet is more practical for code, documents, timelines, spreadsheets, and larger windows.
- Check what your Linux session uses. Run
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPEin a terminal.x11indicates an Xorg session;waylandindicates Wayland. The command identifies the session type, not whether a particular tool will work. - Start on a trusted local network. Browser-streaming tools need the Android device to reach the host. The simplest setup is usually both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, with guest-network isolation and VPN routing out of the way.
- Keep the Android device awake and powered. Streaming at a bright screen setting can use battery quickly. A cable may charge the device, but charging alone does not make it a monitor.
- Set expectations for streamed displays. Results depend on the computer, browser, Wi-Fi conditions, resolution, and software. Compression and network delay make these solutions a poor substitute for a dependable high-refresh, color-critical, or low-latency display.
Mac: use Duet Display for the simplest extended-screen setup
Duet is the most straightforward researched choice for a Mac user seeking a conventional second display. It supports wired or wireless connection modes; the available mode and controls can vary by app version and plan. Use the official Duet download page and Duet’s product information rather than third-party installers.
- Install Duet on the Mac and install the Duet Android client on the phone or tablet.
- Launch Duet on both devices. Choose a wired or wireless mode supported by the current apps. For wireless use, put the devices on the same local network. A USB cable can provide a wired connection where supported, but follow Duet’s current setup prompts.
- Unlock the devices during first pairing. Approve macOS permissions if Duet requests them; the permission names and prompts may vary with macOS and the app release.
- On the Mac, open Apple menu → System Settings → Displays. Select the Android display and choose the extend option rather than mirror, if that choice is shown.
- Arrange the Android screen to the left, right, above, or below the Mac display to match where it sits physically. Test by dragging a window across the edge of the Mac screen.
If the devices stop connecting, confirm Duet is open on both, reconnect the cable or local network, unlock the Android device, and revisit the Mac’s Displays settings. If the screen is duplicated rather than independent, check the display arrangement and extend/mirror setting. Exact controls can change between releases, so use Duet’s current help pages if a label differs.
Mac or Linux: connect with Deskreen
Deskreen runs on the host computer and sends a screen or window to a browser on Android. It is an easy starting point when a mirrored screen, presentation, or reference view will do. It can operate over a local network without an internet connection when both devices are connected to that network. A true extended desktop requires an additional virtual display adapter; Deskreen alone should not be assumed to create one. See Deskreen’s official explanation.
- Download and launch Deskreen on the Mac or Linux computer from the official site.
- Connect Android to the same Wi-Fi network as the host. In Android’s browser, scan the QR code shown by Deskreen or open the displayed address.
- Approve the browser session on the host and choose the screen or window to share.
- For an independent desktop, first install and configure a virtual display adapter appropriate to the host. In the computer’s display settings, enable and position that virtual output; then choose it in Deskreen’s capture options.
Deskreen’s browser connection avoids installing an Android client, but its paid plans do not remove the separate virtual-display requirement for extending the desktop. Keep the session on a trusted network and stop sharing when finished.
Linux: use Weylus for browser streaming and input
Weylus runs a web server on Linux; Android opens the host’s local URL in a browser. The browser receives the screen stream and can send touch, mouse, keyboard, or stylus input back to the computer. It can be useful for mirroring and input, and it can be configured for a second screen, but that may require a virtual output or other system-specific display configuration.
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The upstream Weylus repository documents the workflow and configuration. Its latest upstream release shown in the repository is dated October 31, 2021. The Weylus Community Edition provides a community-maintained build path with patches and packaging updates; it is a community project, not a polished commercial support service.
Basic browser connection
- Download a suitable Weylus build for the host and launch it.
- Set an access code in Weylus, then press Start.
- On Android, open the address Weylus displays. The documented default format is
http://<computer-address>:1701. - Keep the devices reachable on the same network. Weylus uses TCP port
1701for its web interface and9001for its WebSocket connection.
If you use Ubuntu’s UFW firewall, Weylus documents these rules:
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sudo ufw allow 9001/tcpOnly add firewall exceptions on a network you trust. Remove them when they are no longer needed if you do not want the service reachable through those ports.
Using USB networking with Weylus
Weylus does not turn a USB cable into a native video connection. USB tethering creates an IP network, while ADB reverse forwards the required TCP connections through Android Debug Bridge. Both approaches still rely on host software to capture and stream the display.
For an ADB reverse tunnel, enable the required Android developer/USB-debugging options, connect the device, and run the documented commands on the host:
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adb reverse tcp:1701 tcp:1701
adb reverse tcp:9001 tcp:9001Then open http://127.0.0.1:1701 in the Android browser. Android settings paths vary by manufacturer and version; only enable USB debugging when you understand the security implications, and turn it off again when you no longer need it.
Making a genuine second display on Linux
A stream becomes a second monitor only when the Linux desktop exposes an additional output for windows to occupy. The exact method depends on Xorg versus Wayland, desktop environment, GPU, and driver. Weylus documents a virtual-output route for some Intel/Xorg configurations, including an Xorg device section like this:
Section "Device"
Identifier "intelgpu0"
Driver "intel"
Option "VirtualHeads" "2"
EndSectionAfter restarting the graphical session or computer, a virtual output may appear in xrandr. Weylus’s example creates a 1112 × 834 mode at 60 Hz:
gtf 1112 834 60Use the modeline generated by that command for your system. Weylus’s documented example continues with:
xrandr --newmode "1112x834_60.00" 75.81 1112 1168 1288 1464 834 835 838 863 -HSync +Vsync
xrandr --addmode VIRTUAL1 1112x834_60.00
xrandr --output VIRTUAL1 --mode 1112x834_60.00
xrandrThis is an advanced, hardware-specific example—not a universal copy-and-paste recipe. The output name, driver, modeline, and Xorg configuration may differ or be unavailable. A bad Xorg configuration can prevent graphical login or produce a black screen. Before changing configuration, record the current display setup and know how to reach a text console. If the graphical session fails, use a console (often Ctrl+Alt+F3), log in, remove or rename the added configuration, and reboot or restart the display manager appropriate to your distribution. Prefer your distribution’s display tools where they support the task.
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An alternative is the community Linux Virtual Display Driver. It can create a virtual monitor, but it is not a complete Android-display solution: pair it with a streaming client, and check its compatibility with your graphics driver and display stack before installing.
Wayland caveats and touch input
Weylus describes Wayland support as experimental. It may require PipeWire and xdg-desktop-portal, plus a portal package appropriate to the desktop—for example, xdg-desktop-portal-gtk for GNOME, xdg-desktop-portal-kde for KDE, or xdg-desktop-portal-wlr for wlroots-based compositors such as Sway. Weylus documents limitations including incomplete window input mapping, unavailable proper window names, and cursor-capture issues. Do not expect Xorg’s xrandr instructions to transfer directly to Wayland.
Weylus supports touch, mouse, keyboard, and stylus-related input. Its Linux features can include pressure, tilt, and multitouch, but some input simulation requires access to /dev/uinput. The project documents a setup that creates a restricted group, adds the current user, and installs a udev rule:
sudo groupadd -r uinput
sudo usermod -aG uinput "$USER"
echo 'KERNEL=="uinput", MODE="0660", GROUP="uinput", OPTIONS+="static_node=uinput"'
| sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/60-weylus.rules
sudo udevadm control --reload
sudo udevadm triggerLog out and back in for group membership to take effect. Access to uinput can allow broad system-wide input simulation; Weylus warns not to add untrusted users to that group. If the setup is only for a trusted single-user machine, assess that risk before enabling it.
Troubleshooting by symptom
Android cannot open the host address
- Make sure the host app is running and both devices are on the same reachable network. Guest Wi-Fi may isolate clients.
- Check the host’s local IP address and the exact port and protocol shown by the app.
- For Weylus, confirm TCP ports
1701and9001are reachable through the firewall; loading the page alone does not prove the WebSocket can connect. - Temporarily disconnect a VPN if it routes the devices onto separate networks. Avoid exposing the service to the public internet as a workaround.
The Android display mirrors instead of extending
First check the host’s display settings. On Mac with Duet, select the extend mode in System Settings → Displays. With Deskreen, create and activate a virtual display adapter, then select that output. With Weylus, expose a virtual monitor and capture that output. A browser page showing the desktop is not proof of an independent display.
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The browser connects but the Android screen is black
Check that the selected display output is active and that the app is capturing the intended screen. On Wayland, review portal and PipeWire permissions. On Weylus, verify both the web and WebSocket ports. If hardware encoding is enabled, disable it temporarily to check whether the GPU path is causing trouble; encoding support and stability vary by hardware.
Touch works but stylus pressure does not
On Linux, check whether the desktop and tool support the required input path, whether /dev/uinput permissions and the udev rule are in place, and whether you logged out and back in after joining the group. Wayland may restrict input injection even when the permissions are correct.
The virtual display breaks the graphical session
Use a text console, commonly Ctrl+Alt+F3, remove or rename the added Xorg configuration, and reboot or restart the display manager for your distribution. There is no single safe restart command for every Linux desktop. Do not repeat the change until you have identified which configuration caused the failure.
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Try reducing resolution and refresh rate first. Then move both devices to a less congested 5 GHz Wi-Fi network or use a wired host connection/USB networking if the chosen software supports it. Keep the tablet plugged in, avoid a guest network or VPN route, and test hardware acceleration only if it is stable on your system. No one connection method guarantees zero lag; the result depends on the devices, network, software, and settings.
Security and privacy
Screen-streaming tools can expose everything visible on the captured display, and some also accept remote input. Use an access code where the software offers one, keep connections on a trusted local network, and stop the server or sharing session when finished. Do not forward the service ports from your router or expose an unauthenticated session to the public internet. Weylus specifically warns that its connection is not encrypted and recommends trusted networks only. Treat Android USB debugging and Linux uinput access as security-sensitive capabilities.
Quick Recap
Which option should you choose?
- Mac, easiest setup: Start with Duet. It is the clearest researched option for a conventional Android second display and offers wired and wireless modes.
- Linux, simple mirror or reference screen: Start with Deskreen. It is browser-based and avoids an Android client, but does not by itself guarantee an extended desktop.
- Linux, open-source and touch/stylus input: Try Weylus or the Community Edition if you are comfortable checking network access, display-server compatibility, and permissions.
- Linux, true independent desktop: Plan for a virtual display output plus streaming. Use a compatible virtual-display driver or a carefully configured Weylus path; expect system-specific troubleshooting.
- Reliability, low latency, high refresh, or color-critical work: Use a real portable monitor instead. An Android device is a convenient repurposed screen, not a dependable replacement for a purpose-built display.
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