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Companion Mode - Use your Smartphone or Tablet as a Remote Controller on TV

Updated

With Companion Mode on Shadow, you can use your smartphone or tablet as a remote controller when using the Android TV application.

By controlling remotely your Shadow PC TV app, you will be able to:

  • Produce basic inputs on your Shadow PC (move your cursor, right-click, left-click, and double-click).
  • Use your smartphone or tablet as a virtual controller.
  • Use your smartphone or tablet's digital keyboard to type content on your Shadow PC.
  • Use Windows Shortcuts from your smartphone or tablet.

Requirements

In order to use this mode, you will need the following Shadow applications that you can download here:

Additionally, your devices must conform to our requirements, and you should have a stable internet connection.

How to set up your smartphone as a Remote Controller?

  1. Log in and launch your Shadow PC app on your Android TV by clicking "Start".
  2. Log in and launch your Shadow PC app on your smartphone or tablet by clicking "Start".
  3. On your smartphone or tablet, a new window where you will be able to click "Remote Control"

How to use Companion Mode?

Once your smartphone or tablet has been set up as a remote controller, you will be able to manage your inputs directly from the touchpad which is represented by a gray area on your screen.

The way you move your finger across the touchpad will produce different inputs on your TV:

You can also access the input details by clicking the Help button on your app

Gesture Action
Slide your finger Slide your finger to move the cursor
Quick tap Quick tap for a left click
Long press Long press for a right click
Double tap Double tap for a double click

Several features are also available with Companion Mode. You can access them by clicking the following buttons at the bottom of your screen:

Button Description
Gamepad Use your smartphone or tablet as a gamepad. The touchpad area on your screen will be replaced by a virtual controller
Keyboard Use your smartphone or tablet's digital keyboard to type content on your Shadow PC.
Shortcuts

Use basic Windows Shortcuts from your smartphone or tablet simply by clicking the corresponding button. Please note that it is not possible to add custom shortcuts. Here is the list of available shortcuts:

  • Close window (Alt + F4)
  • Start panel (⊞)
  • Show/Hide Desktop (⊞ + D)
  • Multi-tasking (Alt + Tab)
  • Screenshot (⊞ + PrtSc)
  • Send esc key (Esc)
  • Task manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)

On top of your screen, you will be able to:

  • Exit Companion Mode and go back to your Shadow PC launcher by clicking the home button.
  • Shut down your Shadow PC by clicking the shutdown button.

Upcoming Features:

Our teams are considering implementing the following features in a future Shadow PC update:

  • Sound Output Management.
  • Mobile Game Controllers Support.
  • Mobile Microphone Input Support.

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