Tether

What the app does

Tether is a remote access client for your phone, tablet or Chromebook. Connect to a computer at home or at work and use it as if you were sitting in front of it: watch the screen and control the mouse and keyboard with VNC, or type commands in a full terminal with SSH. On Windows with OpenSSH Server, SSH gives you a PowerShell prompt.

Both protocols are built into the app itself, so there is nothing extra to install on your phone. On the computer you only need a VNC server or an SSH server, which most systems already have or can switch on.

Two ways to connect

Highlights

• Connections with groups, favorites, recent, notes, search and filters; Quick connect with user@host:port
• Several sessions open at once, as tabs
• Wake-on-LAN and a connection test
• A connection log that shows every step and the exact reason when a connection fails
• Passwords and keys are stored encrypted; saving passwords can be turned off
• Screenshots of sessions are blocked by default, so a remote screen doesn't end up in your gallery or in the app overview
• Material 3 design with light and dark themes; on tablets and Chromebooks the connection list and details sit side by side

Download

Why Tether isn't on the Google Play Store

Google currently enforces highly demanding and complex requirements to publish new apps (such as mandatory closed testing phases with at least 20 people for 14 days, rigorous identity verification, and heavy administrative overhead). Because we build apps purely for our own enjoyment and want to keep it simple, we prefer to share the app with you directly.

How to Install the App

How to install an APK directly on your phone

1. Tap the download button above and wait for tether.apk to finish downloading.
2. Open the file (via your notification shade or the Files app).
3. Android will ask permission to install unknown apps. Tap Settings and enable "Allow from this source" for your browser or file manager.
4. Go back and tap Install.
5. Open Tether when installation completes.

Installing apps from outside the Play Store is a normal Android feature. You can turn the "unknown sources" permission back off afterwards if you prefer.

How to install an APK via your computer

The cleanest, safest, and most secure way to install an APK file—without modifying your phone's mobile security settings or enabling "Unknown Sources"—is via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) from your computer. This is an official command-line utility supplied by Google for Android developers.

Step 1: Download ADB on your computer (The fastest way)

You do not need to install the massive Android Studio suite. Google provides a lightweight, standalone package called Platform-Tools.

• Windows: Download the official Android SDK Platform-Tools for Windows.
• Mac / Linux: Download the zip package above or install it instantly via your terminal line:
  • Mac (via Homebrew): Run brew install android-platform-tools
  • Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): Run sudo apt install adb

Note: If you downloaded the ZIP file (Windows/Mac), extract it into an easy-to-reach directory, such as C:\platform-tools or your Desktop.

Step 2: Prepare your Android phone

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Go to About phone (or System > About).
3. Tap Build number 7 times rapidly until a notification pop-up says: "You are now a developer!".
4. Return to the main Settings menu, open the new Developer options panel, and turn on USB debugging.

Step 3: Install the APK file

1. Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Look at your phone's screen: a prompt will ask "Allow USB debugging?". Check the option for “Always allow from this computer” and tap Allow.
3. Move your downloaded APK file directly into the folder where you extracted the platform-tools files.
4. Open Command Prompt (CMD) on Windows or Terminal on Mac/Linux, and change directories to that folder (e.g., on Windows, type: cd C:\platform-tools).
5. Run this command to verify your computer properly detects your device:

   adb devices

   (If you see a serial number followed by the word 'device', you are connected successfully!)
6. Run the installation script command:

   adb install tether.apk

When the terminal returns a Success message, the app is fully installed on your device and ready to launch!

User manual

The app is in U.S. English. The tabs are Connections, Templates, Log and Settings.

1. Prepare the computer

• Windows, screen: install a VNC server such as TightVNC or UltraVNC and set a VNC password.
• Windows, PowerShell: turn on Settings › System › Optional features › OpenSSH Server and start the "OpenSSH SSH Server" service.
• macOS: turn on System Settings › General › Sharing › Screen Sharing (VNC) and/or Remote Login (SSH).
• Linux: use an SSH server (usually openssh-server) and/or a VNC server such as TigerVNC, x11vnc or the built-in desktop sharing.

2. Add a connection

Tap New connection, choose VNC or SSH, and enter the address of the computer (for example 192.168.1.20), the port (VNC usually 5900, SSH 22) and your sign-in details. Or tap Quick connect and type user@host:port. On Android 17 and later, the app asks once for access to devices on your local network.

The first time you connect over SSH, Tether shows the server's key so you can confirm it. If it ever changes, you get a clear warning.

3. Use a VNC session

Drag to move the mouse or tap to click, depending on the mode (direct touch or touchpad). Pinch to zoom and drag with two fingers to pan. The bar at the bottom opens the Keyboard, Templates, Keys… and modifier keys such as Ctrl and Alt. The ⋮ menu has scaling, monitors, screenshots, view-only and the log.

4. Use an SSH session

Type as in any terminal. The extra-keys bar above the keyboard has Esc, Tab, Ctrl, Alt, the arrow keys and more. Paste a template to send a whole (multi-line) script at once.

5. Send key combinations

Open More options › Send keys… (or Keys… on the extra-keys bar). Choose a ready-made combination for Windows, macOS or Linux, or build your own with Ctrl, Alt, Shift and Win plus a key. Some combinations (such as Win+L) can be blocked by Windows or the VNC server.

6. Copy text and files

Text you copy on the phone or the computer is synced automatically while the session is on screen. For files, open the file transfer panel: browse the computer, paste files or folders from your phone, or copy files to your phone. For VNC sessions, turn on File and folder transfer in the connection settings (it uses SFTP to the same computer).

7. Templates

On the Templates tab, add a name, an optional group (for example "PowerShell"), where it is offered (VNC, SSH or both) and the text. Turn on Press Enter after inserting to run a command straight away. A few examples are added on first start.

Good to know

• Sessions end in the background by default, optionally after a delay you choose in Settings. Closing the app always ends every session.
• No RDP. Tether doesn't support Windows Remote Desktop (RDP). Use VNC for the screen, or SSH for PowerShell.
• From outside your home: never open VNC or SSH ports in your router. Use a VPN such as Tailscale or WireGuard, and connect through it.
• Plain VNC is not encrypted. On untrusted networks, use the SSH tunnel option of the VNC connection.
• Files are exchanged through Android's file picker, so the app needs no storage permission.

Permissions this app requests

We believe in being transparent about every permission. Here is exactly what the app asks for and why.

Privacy & cost — in plain terms

• No usage data collected. No analytics, crash reports, telemetry or advertising.
• No personal data requested. No account with us; the only logins are the ones for your own computers.
• No cookies, no tracking. This website sets none either.
• Direct connections only. Your screen, keystrokes and files go directly between your phone and your computer. Nothing is ever sent to us.
• Nothing runs in the background. No background services, jobs or alarms.
• No payment, ever. The app is completely free, with no ads and no in-app purchases.

Connections, templates, passwords and keys are stored only on your device, encrypted with AES-256-GCM using a key in the Android Keystore. Cloud backup and device transfer are disabled. For the full statement, see Privacy & Disclaimer.

Responsible use & your responsibility

Tether is a hobby and educational project. It gives full control over the computers you connect to, so only connect to computers you own or are explicitly allowed to operate, use strong passwords, and never expose VNC or SSH to the internet. Commands you type and key combinations you send (such as Ctrl+Alt+Del or a shutdown command) take effect immediately on the remote computer.

The app is provided "as is", for learning and experimentation, without any warranty. Please read the full Privacy Statement & Disclaimer before use — by installing or using the app you accept those terms.

Have a question? Contact us →

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