Remote Viewer lets you view an Android device's current screen on your console and take screenshots. Remote Control allows you to take control of the device. This means you may interact with the remote device using your mouse or trackpad as if you were physically touching the screen.
- Capturing a bug report for a device out in the field
- Observing unexpected behavior
- Checking on devices that send alerts
Remote Viewer and Control are useful in a variety of situations including:
Use Remote Viewer and Control to take control of your devices when unexpected situations arise.
We also have a Remote Viewer for iOS devices.
In this article:
- Setting Up Remote Viewer
- During a Remote Viewer Session
- Setting up Remote Control
- Hardware Keys and Keyboard Events
Setting Up Remote Viewer
You can set up a remote viewer session at any point, but we recommend being on a reliable network, such as Wi-Fi, for the best results. If you experience problems, try refreshing your browser or restarting the session.
Find Remote Viewer and Control by locating the device in Devices & Groups and locating the Remove Viewer tab.
Before starting a session, check the following:
- Is the device communicating with Esper and unlocked?
- Ensure you've disabled any lock screens as well.
- Have you verified our firewall requirements?
- Has the screen timeout been set to five minutes or longer?
- Does your role give you access to Remote Viewer?
- Optional: Experiencing a slow connection speed? If so, check the Data Saver box at the top before starting a session. The frame rate will decrease. You won’t be able to change this option during a session.
After setting up the device, it’s time to start a Remote Viewer session.
Step 1: To remotely view a device, click on Start session. You can start a session regardless of whether or not your device is communicating with Esper.
We’ll show a warning for devices that haven’t checked in in the last 30 minutes. If you also plan to use Remote Control, you may need to complete additional set up as well.
For Android 8 and below, devices will show a prompt to allow the session. Once the request is accepted, a secure connection will be established, and the device's screen will be streamed to the console.
To end the session, click Stop Session.
The session will end automatically when it reaches the time limit displayed.
During a Remote Session
Entering full-screen mode
During a Remote Viewer session, you’ll be able to view the screen and take screenshots of it.
Use the Full screen button to enter full-screen mode.
To exit Full-Screen mode, press the Escape key on your computer's keyboard.
Capturing a Screenshot on a Device
Capturing screenshots can be useful in reporting unexpected behavior on devices. To take a screenshot, start a Remote Viewer session.
Step 1: Click the Take Screenshot button to capture the current device screen.
You’ll see a collection of screenshots at the bottom of the Remote Viewer screen.
Click on the screenshot to open it. Right-click to download the screenshot or click the trash can to delete it. Screenshots can’t be retrieved after deletion.
Setting Up Remote Control
Remote Control Requirements
The following table outlines the minimum Android version requirements to access certain features associated with Remote Control.
| Behavior | Requirement |
| Manual approval request | Android versions 5 - 8 |
| Manual approval request bypass | Android version 5 - 8 with a Supervisor Plugin |
| Full Remote Control support | All Android versions with a Supervisor Plugin |
| Esper Settings > Accessibility to activate Remote Control manually | Android 7 and above. To enable, devices will need to be in Multi-app Mode with Esper Settings and Android Settings enabled. After accepting the permissions, you can switch to your desired device launcher and settings. |
| Paste feature support | All Android versions with a Supervisor Plugin |
Contact Esper for a Supervisor Plugin.
In addition, some features are only available for the Esper Agent, Remote Viewer, and Supervisor versions.
For these features, devices must meet the following requirements, as well as what is specified in the table:
- Esper Agent version 7.12+. See how to find your Esper Agent version.
- Esper Remote Viewer 2.1+. Most users should be on version 2.1+.
- HIgh-frame rate and data saver available for all devices.
| Device Category |
Special characters via keyboard during remote control session |
High frame rate & data saver option | Long-press support | Copy and past support |
| Samsung devices with Knox support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zebra devices | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supervisor-dependent devices | Requires a signed supervisor version 3.1+ | Yes | Requires a signed supervisor version 3.1+. | Requires a signed supervisor version 3.1+. |
| Accessibility-services dependent devices | No | Yes | No | No |
| Foundation devices | Requires a signed supervisor version 3.1+. Ask your Esper contact about the latest signed plugin. | Yes | Requires a signed supervisor version 3.1+. Ask your Esper contact about the latest signed plugin. | Requires a signed supervisor version 3.1+. Ask your Esper contact about the latest signed plugin. |
Getting Started
- You'll need to access the Esper console from a Chrome browser to use remote control.
- Remote control is automatically enabled for nearly all Samsung Devices without requiring any additional setup
- Esper partners with Lenovo to automate remote control setup across all Lenovo devices. Contact support to get this feature enabled.
- If you’d like to automate remote control setup on any other device contact Esper for a supervisor plugin.
- For all devices running Android 7 and up, you can follow the steps below to grant remote control permissions.
- This is a one-time setup that will persist across the device's life cycle. This will grant remote control access without requiring end-user consent on the device.
How to Set Up Your Device for Remote Control
1. Create or modify a blueprint to enable Apps & Configuration > Multi-app Mode.
Also in that blueprint, enable Esper Settings > Android Settings and Esper Settings.
2. Add the blueprint to the devices.
3. On the device, open Esper Settings.
4. Click on "Remote Control".
If nothing happens when you click on "Remote Control", ensure that Android Settings is enabled through the blueprint and that the device converged successfully.
5. This will open the Android Settings app permission screen.
6. Look for the "Esper Accessibility Service" and "Esper Remote Control Service" options and enable the permissions.
7. In the console, navigate to the remote viewer window (you may need to refresh the page).
8. You should be able to start a remote control session.
Tips
- Is the device on Esper Foundation for Android, manufactured with a signed Esper Agent, or Samsung Knox-enabled (running Knox 3 or later)?
- Is the device on Esper Agent version 7.5.0005 or later? If not, does it have a Supervisor Plugin and Knox?
- Is the device communicating with Esper and unlocked?
- Have you verified our firewall requirements?
- Has screen timeout been set to five minutes or longer?
- Does your role give you access to Remote Control? Viewer roles won’t have access to Remote Control.
- Optional: Do you have a slow connection speed? If so, check the Data Saver box at the top before starting a session. You won’t be able to change this option during a session.
If you see the error message, perform the following:
Ensure your device is on a stable network and has checked in with Esper. Try sending a ping.
Then accept the Accessibility permissions. First, ensure your device is in Multi-app Mode and has Esper Settings and Android Settings enabled.
Then go to the Esper Settings on the device.
Select the Remote Control option.
Enable Remote Viewer.
On the modal, you will be asked to confirm your choice. Select OK.
You can use the remote control in both view modes: Full-screen and non-full-screen.
Using Hardware Keys and Keyboard Events
Some devices do not have soft keys for home, back, and recent and they use physical keys on the device instead. On such devices, a virtual set of keys appears at the middle of the Remote Control screen. When in Full-screen mode, the widget includes the hard keys. You can grab and move the widget to a different location on your screen as you wish.
You may also use your computer’s keyboard to interact with the device as if you were using the device’s keyboard.
Copying, Pasting, and Other Tapping Events
Requirements:
- You will need an updated Supervisor Plugin and Remote Viewer app for paste support. Contact Esper to learn more.
Starting on July 5, 2023, and with Esper Agent version 7.12, we began updating the Remote Viewer. After your Remote Viewer is updated, you'll have the ability to copy, paste, and perform other functions during a Remote Control session, subject to hardware requirements.
Timing your clicks can be a little tricky at first. Try double clicking on the text you want to copy and waiting for the tooltip to appear.
Copying
You will be able to copy a section of text from your computer to the device. However, copying text from the device onto your computer is not possible.
Long Press
Long press your mouse or trackpad. The device’s toolbar will appear and you’ll use your mouse to select an option.
Special Characters
Special characters are supported for most keyboards. For example, you’ll be able to type “$400 USD” or “a 40% chance of rain” on the device from your keyboard. Non-English characters and emojis are not supported.
Paste from Computer
Copy a URL or password from your computer and use your keyboard to paste the text to the device. You won’t be able to copy from a device and paste to your computer.