Vysor tool overview

Transferring the management of the mobile device on PC and mirroring the screen is one of the abilities that can be useful for users. Developers usually have a need to show part of the application that is already done and testers need to make a video with the found bug. Ordinary users may want to record the screen in order to share the video with other users and friends. There is a variety of software that can be used to transfer the screen of the mobile device to the PC. Some developers provide the ability to control the device through a PC and screen output and many utilities for such an output can be found in application stores (Play Market).

Let us look at one of the most popular and simple ones – Vysor.

What is Vysor?

Vysor is a software that provides the ability to connect and control an Android device from the personal computer of the user. This makes it possible to use the keyboard and mouse as control devices. Vysor can be used not only to display the screen and control the device, but also to record videos and screenshots of the screen, transfer control of the device to other users using a link.

Vysor is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, as well as the Chrome extension.

How to install and configure connection via Vysor?

Installation and configuration of connection through Vysor can be divided into several stages:

1. Installation of Vysor on PC;
2. Installation of  Vysor on the mobile device;
3. Activation «USB debugging»;
4. Connecting a mobile device to a PC.

Depending on the operating system of your PC, you need to download and install the appropriate installation client from the official website of the developer. The installation process follows a simple scheme: downloading and running the installation file.

Vysor is installed on a mobile device using the Play Market. You need to find and install the Vysor application from the ClockworkMod developer. After the typical installation process, an app shortcut will appear on your mobile device.

In order to work with Vysor on a mobile device, the «USB debugging» option must be enabled – it allows the Android device to interact with the PC using the Android SDK for advanced operations.

You can enable this option through the «Developer options» developer menu on your mobile device. To do this, you need to take the following steps:

1. Open «Settings»;
2. Go to «About phone»;
3. Make several taps on the Build version to receive a notification about enabling developer mode;
4. In the main settings, find and go to the «Developer Options» menu;
5. Activate «USB debugging».

After all the necessary utilities have been installed, you can connect the mobile device to the PC via a USB cable and run Vysor on the computer. Vysor will show the mobile device connected to the PC in the main application window, and options will become available to enable screen casting. If the device is not found, then a link to the ADB driver is available for users.

Vysor basic functions

The main functions of Vysor are controlling a mobile device from a PC and recording videos or screenshots. Vysor offers various implementations of these functions and their settings. Access to them is limited to the use of the free and paid version. In the main window of the program after connection, buttons are available to enable screen output, transfer via Vysor Share, settings of the program itself, as well as information about the current version.

In the free version users can «mirror» the screen of the mobile device and use the PC to control the device itself. The settings of the «mirror» mode are also different: high quality transmission is not available in the free version. The user of the free version has access only to the function of creating screenshots, to record videos, you need to purchase the paid version. Using the «mirror» mode, you can answer calls on the PC, type large volumes of text using the keyboard. Vysor can also help with problems with the screen or a broken touchscreen. In such situations, you can connect the device to a PC and copy the necessary data, or simply perform actions using computer peripherals.

In the mirroring mode, the following buttons are available: record video, turn on audio, turn on wireless connection mode, create a screenshot, rotate the screen, turn on full-screen mode, turn off the screen and settings.

In the settings, the user can change the name of the mobile device, change the image transmission quality. Image quality depends on bitrate (500 Kbps to 8 Mbit options available), extension and decoder.

Vysor developers also provide the opportunity to change the color of the interface of the program itself, change the buttons, and set the behavior of the mouse and keys.

In addition to the ability to set high-quality mirroring and screen recording functions, the paid version of Vysor provides a number of such functions:

• full screen mirroring mode;
• wireless connection mode, which allows you not to use a USB cable to connect a mobile device to a PC;
• «Vysor Share» is the ability to share a link that allows other users to connect to your device;
• drag and drop files «Drag and Drop»;
• pinning the Vysor application window on top of other active windows.

The paid version of Vysor is distributed as a subscription to the service and is possible for a month, a year or a one-time purchase for the entire time of use.

Advantages and disadvantages of Vysor

Most of the pros and cons depend on the version used, as most features become available only after purchasing the paid version of the program.

Advantages:

• simple installation and configuration;
• using the keyboard and mouse to control the Android device;
• Windows, Mac, Linux versions;
• the ability to automatically launch Vysor when the device is connected to a PC;
• the ability to adjust the image quality (only in the paid version);
• record video from your device in high resolution (paid version only);
• the Vysor Share function to transfer to other users (only in the paid version);
• the ability to connect a mobile device without a USB cable (only in the paid version).

Disadvantages:

• low image quality in the free version;
• lack of ability to record video in the free version;
• ads in the free version.

Vysor is a simple solution to mirror your mobile device's screen to your PC. You can also use this program to control your mobile device using a keyboard and mouse. Vysor has an interesting set of features that both the average user and the experienced tester can add to their work.