Microsoft launches remote desktop Android app to coincide with Windows 8.1 release

Microsoft released Windows 8.1 today, and to coincide with the launch it has released a first-party remote desktop app on Android (and iOS). Just like many other third-party remote desktop offerings, Microsoft Remote Desktop lets you connect to a remote PC from your phone or tablet anywhere you have an internet connection.

The app offers a solid set of features, including multi-touch and gesture support, giving a better way to interact with touch-enabled devices when viewing Windows 8 desktops. Additionally, the app provides a secure connection using Network Layer Authentication. Microsoft claims that video and sound streaming from remote devices are improved by compression as well.

The app itself is pretty basic but follows Google design guidelines, with a simple interface to choose between your remote desktops, remote resources, gateways, certificates and trusted hosts. The app is free in Google Play from the source link above.

Andrew Martonik

Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.