How to Connect an Android Phone to Linux via KDE Connect?
Last Updated :
05 May, 2025
Nowadays while working on a PC most of the time we need to use our phones to transfer data and files to or from a computer. Therefore there is always a need for software that connects our mobile phones to a PC so that we can not only share our files between them but also gain complete remote control of them in order to see important notifications and emails. One such software is KDE Connect, a Linux-based open-source application developed by the KDE community with the aim to enable our devices to communicate with each other. KDE-Connect is basically a mobile companion that we can use to remotely control and manage our computer system via our android device and vice versa.
KDE Connect is free, open-source tool that breaks down barriers between devices, allowing file transfers, remote control, notification syncing, and more. Unlike proprietary apps like AirDroid, KDE Connect is privacy-focused, using RSA encryption to secure communications. It’s not just for KDE Plasma—it works on GNOME, XFCE, MATE, and even Windows or macOS (with some limitations).
Salient Features: KDE-Connect
KDE Connect is packed with features that make your Android and Linux devices feel like one. Each feature is like a tool in a toolbox, designed to save time and boost productivity
- The application is completely free and open-source.
- User-friendly and easy to use.
- We can use it for sharing files between connected devices.
- We can give remote input control for mouse & keyboard.
- Sharing Clipboards between the connected devices.
- We can use it to find our phone by giving it a ring.
- Multimedia Applications can be remotely controlled.
- Smartphone notifications can be seen on our system.
- KDE-Connect uses the RSA Encryption mechanism to ensure each endpoint is secure on the network so that there are no privacy issues.
Installing KDE Connect on Linux and Android
Installing KDE Connect is straightforward, whether you’re on a Linux distro like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Kali Linux, or an Android device.
Linux Installation
The KDE-Connect comes pre-installed with the KDE-Plasma desktop environment but to install the KDE-Connect component on other desktop environments(GNOME, Xfce, and MATE) first update and upgrade your system using the following command :
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Now run the below installation command for KDE Connect
sudo apt install kdeconnect # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dnf install kdeconnect # Fedora
sudo pacman -S kdeconnect # Arch Linux
sudo zypper install kdeconnect # openSUSE
Android Installation:
To connect our phone with the Linux system, we have to install the KDE Connect application on android. We can either download an install it from Google Play Store or from F-Droid.
KDE-Connect Google Play Store
Connecting Android with Linux
The first and foremost thing is that both the device must be connected to the same network so that they can pair with each other. Both devices must share a common Wi-Fi connection otherwise, the device will not show in the KDE-Connect interface. Now once you are connected to the same network open the application on both the Linux system and Android device. We will be able to see the names of the devices that have KDE-Connect installed and running:
- Ensure Same Network: Connect both Android and Linux to the same Wi-Fi (e.g., home router) and Check IP addresses match subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.x)
- Than Open KDE Connect on android and linux
Android
KDE-Connect Interface Android
Linux:
KDE-Connect Interface Linux
Now on the android device, we click on the device or system we want to pair with from the list of available devices. When we click on “Request Pair” it will send a connection request to our Linux system.
Android
Linux
Connection request to Linux system for pairing with the android.
Pairing request
Click on “Accept” to connect with the android. Once we accept the connection request we will see :
Android:
Linux:
Now we can start using our Android device to control operations on our Linux system. But, before that, we must have given all the necessary permission to the KDE Connect application on our Android device. Otherwise, we will not be able to perform tasks that require those permissions. Below is the list of permission that we need to give on android:
List of Permissions
Conclusion
KDE Connect is like a superpower for your Linux PC and Android phone, letting them share files, control each other, and stay in sync—all for free and with top-notch privacy. Whether you’re zipping photos from your phone to Ubuntu, using your Samsung Galaxy as a remote mouse for Kali Linux, or checking WhatsApp notifications on Fedora, KDE Connect makes it a breeze. Its open-source design, RSA encryption, and user-friendly features.
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