I don’t use my Android tablet as much as I should. Despite reporting on Android hardware for sites like Android Police, my tablet of choice is an iPad. I know, I know, it’s my only Apple device, I swear.
I always like to have an Android tablet on the go for testing purposes, and at the moment it’s the Xiaomi Pad 8. But it spends a lot of time gathering dust when I’m not using it.
Or it did. Recently I found another way to use it to solve a personal problem. For the last few weeks, the Xiaomi Pad has seen daily use as a second screen for my laptop.
Plenty of Android Police writers have tried using a tablet instead of a computer.
We’ve written about how replacing a Windows laptop with an Android tablet was painless, troubles that arose when ditching a laptop for a tablet, and how one writer replaced their desktop monitor with an Android slate.
But I wanted to try something different; my slate wasn’t replacing a laptop, but adding to it.
An Android tablet to solve a problem
Instead of being a problem
I’ve been using two screens on my computer for my entire professional career.
After working full-time in an office that offered a dual-monitor set-up, I became used to it, and ensured I had two when I became a freelance tech writer.
However, I recently moved to a new house, and haven’t been able to set up my PC. For several weeks, I’ve been using a laptop at the dining table to work.
That’s not ideal. As someone used to having two large monitors, having one tiny screen was absolutely frustrating.
How was I going to see all of my tabs at once?
When I was unpacking my assorted tech box, I stumbled upon the Xiaomi tab, which is when I decided it was going to be the reprieve from my problems.
Using Spacedesk to transform my tablet
Getting simple and complicated
There are a few ways to control your PC from your Android device, but doing things in reverse is a little more complicated.
I wanted to use my tablet as a second screen for my laptop, but it wasn’t as simple as plugging it in with a USB cable.
I did a lot of research, and the app that most people recommend for the job is Spacedesk.
This tool, which is available for download on Windows laptops and via the Play Store for Android devices, is designed to let you use secondary devices as secondary displays.
So it was exactly what I needed. I installed the app on my laptop and tablet, and it worked a charm.
I expected to use a USB-C to USB-C cable to connect the devices, but they recognized each other over my home Wi-Fi. Within a minute of installing the apps, my Xiaomi showed me my desktop wallpaper.
It’s worth knowing that Spacedesk is free for a non-commercial private license, but if you’re using it commercially, as part of a business, you must buy a license.
QuizSpacedesk productivity app
Trivia challenge
Think you know everything about turning extra screens into power tools? Put
your Spacedesk knowledge to the test.
FeaturesSetupConnectivityDisplaySoftware
What is the primary function of the Spacedesk app?
That’s right! Spacedesk is designed to extend or mirror your Windows
desktop to another device, such as a tablet, smartphone, or another PC, effectively adding a second or
third screen to your setup. It’s a go-to tool for anyone who wants more screen real estate without
buying extra hardware.
Not quite. Spacedesk’s core purpose is to use a secondary device — like
a phone or tablet — as an additional display for a Windows PC. It doesn’t stream games or offer remote
control in the traditional sense, but it does dramatically expand your workspace.
Which of the following connection methods does Spacedesk support for linking
devices?
Correct! Spacedesk supports both Wi-Fi (over a local network) and USB
connections, giving users flexibility depending on their setup. USB connections tend to offer lower
latency, which is great for tasks that require more responsiveness on the secondary display.
Not quite. Spacedesk uses Wi-Fi (local network) and USB connections —
not Bluetooth. Bluetooth doesn’t offer the bandwidth needed for smooth display streaming, so Spacedesk
sticks with faster, more reliable options to keep your extended screen usable.
On which operating system must the Spacedesk server (driver) software be installed?
Exactly right! The Spacedesk server driver runs exclusively on Windows,
making it a Windows-centric solution. The secondary viewer devices can run Android, iOS, or even a
browser-based client, but the host machine must be running Windows.
Not quite. Spacedesk’s server software — the component that does the
heavy lifting — runs only on Windows. While the viewer app is available on multiple platforms including
Android and iOS, macOS and Linux users cannot act as the host machine.
What display modes does Spacedesk support on the secondary device?
Spot on! Spacedesk supports both extended desktop mode, where the
secondary screen acts as extra workspace, and mirror mode, where it duplicates the primary display. This
versatility makes it handy for presentations, multitasking, and sharing your screen with others nearby.
That’s not right. Spacedesk offers both extended desktop and mirror
modes. Extended mode is perfect for multitasking, letting you spread apps across screens, while mirror
mode is useful during presentations or when you want someone else to see your screen without crowding
around one monitor.
Which of the following can also be used as a Spacedesk viewer without installing a
native app?
Correct! Spacedesk offers a browser-based viewer, meaning any device
with a modern web browser — including laptops, Chromebooks, and even some smart devices — can act as a
secondary display without needing a dedicated app. This makes it incredibly versatile across different
platforms.
Not quite. One of Spacedesk’s clever features is its browser-based
viewer, which lets any device with a compatible web browser serve as a secondary display. This means
you’re not limited to Android or iOS — even a Chromebook or an old laptop running a browser can join in.
What is the cost of Spacedesk for personal use?
That’s right — Spacedesk is completely free for personal use! Both the
Windows server driver and the viewer apps on Android and iOS are available at no cost, which is a big
reason it’s become popular among students, remote workers, and productivity enthusiasts on a budget.
Actually, Spacedesk is completely free for personal use. There’s no
subscription or one-time purchase required to use the core functionality. This generous pricing model
has helped it build a large user base of people looking to expand their workspace without spending extra
money on monitors.
For the best performance when using Spacedesk over Wi-Fi, which network setup is
recommended?
Exactly! Spacedesk works best when both the host PC and the viewer
device are connected to the same local network, such as your home or office Wi-Fi router. This ensures
low latency and a stable connection, keeping your secondary display smooth and responsive.
Not quite. The recommended setup is to have both devices on the same
local network — for example, both connected to your home router. Using public Wi-Fi, VPNs, or mobile
hotspots can introduce extra latency and instability, making the secondary display laggy or unreliable.
Which of the following input capabilities does Spacedesk support on touch-enabled
viewer devices?
Correct! When using a touch-enabled device like an Android tablet or
iPad as a Spacedesk viewer, touch gestures are translated as mouse and pointer input on the Windows
host. This turns your tablet into a touch-screen monitor for your PC, adding a useful interaction layer
to your extended workspace.
Not quite. Spacedesk actually supports touch input from compatible
viewer devices, relaying those touches as mouse or pointer actions on the Windows host PC. This means a
tablet running the Spacedesk viewer essentially functions as a touchscreen for your desktop, which is a
handy bonus feature.
Your Score
/ 8
Thanks for playing!
Working around some teething problems
What to know if you follow suit
Problem solved, and article over, right? Not quite — a few quirks occurred during my testing that are worth knowing about.
None of these majorly affected my experience, as evidenced by the fact I’ve been using Spacedesk for weeks now, but it’s worth knowing about.
As you can see in the images, despite the connection being wireless, my dining table workstation quickly became a mess of wires. And it’s (mostly) all because of power.
Using a tablet as a secondary screen means it’s turned on all the time, and I found this drained the power fairly quickly.
So as well as plugging my laptop into mains power to keep it running, I also paired it to my tablet with a USB-C cable to keep everything powered.
There was also some lag between my laptop and the tablet, something that a little pop-up notified me of every time it happened.
It wasn’t a deal-breaker by any means, but it meant I needed to be smart about what I did with this secondary display.
I decided the best use of it would be as a little permanent display for important feeds, like Slack or my email. I don’t need to access these all the time, but dedicating a screen to them meant I wouldn’t miss a notification.
We all know how unreliable Windows notifications can be, so having them visible all the time is the only way to ensure I was in the loop.
One last thing: Often when I’d swipe down on my tablet to see its power, I’d touch the desktop screen and move the mouse over that side.
But sometimes, the cursor would get stuck there, as though I was holding my finger down in the same spot. Moving it away on my laptop trackpad would only drag it away temporarily.
I never worked out a foolproof way of stopping this from happening, beyond avoiding accidental touches as much as possible, so I did that.
Since I began using my tablet to squeeze some extra productivity out of me, I’ve been using it far more than I’d expected; it’s really given the thing an extra lease on life.
It’s also helped back up some of my tablet beliefs. Since this mid-range slate is mainly useful to me as a screen with a battery, a premium Android tablet is totally redundant.
