Flouda Vault

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Using Android Tablet as Second Screen on Linux

Transform your Android tablet into a functional second screen for your Linux desktop using Hyprland’s virtual monitor capabilities, ADB networking, and VNC streaming. This setup provides a wireless second display solution that’s particularly useful for extended desktop workflows and portable development environments.

This guide demonstrates how to create a virtual display output, establish USB networking between your Linux PC and Android tablet, and stream the display content via VNC for a seamless dual-screen experience.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • Linux system running Hyprland window manager
  • Android tablet with developer options enabled
  • USB cable for initial setup and networking
  • Root access on Linux system for package installation
  • Basic terminal knowledge for command execution

This guide integrates with the complete Hyprland desktop environment setup, providing an extended display solution that complements the tiling window manager workflow.

System Requirements

Hardware Requirements

  • Android tablet with USB debugging capability
  • Linux PC with Hyprland window manager
  • USB cable compatible with your tablet
  • Sufficient network bandwidth for VNC streaming

Software Requirements

  • Hyprland window manager
  • Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tools
  • WayVNC server
  • VNC client app on Android tablet

Setup Process

Step 1: Create Virtual Monitor Output

First, create a virtual display output that will represent your tablet screen. The resolution and refresh rate should match your tablet’s specifications for optimal performance.

For a Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra (adjust values for your specific tablet):

# Create virtual output named Virtual-1
hyprctl output create headless Virtual-1
 
# Configure monitor with tablet's native resolution and refresh rate
hyprctl keyword monitor Virtual-1,2960x1848@120,auto-left,1

Resolution Guidelines:

  • Use your tablet’s native resolution for best quality
  • Common tablet resolutions: 1920x1200, 2560x1600, 2960x1848
  • Match refresh rate to tablet capabilities (60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz)

Verify the virtual output was created successfully:

hyprctl monitors list

You should see Virtual-1 listed among your available monitors.

Step 2: Enable Android Developer Options

If you haven’t already enabled developer options on your Android tablet:

  1. Open Settings on your tablet
  2. Navigate to About tablet (or About device)
  3. Tap Build number seven times rapidly
  4. Enter your PIN/password when prompted
  5. Return to Settings and find “Developer options”
  6. Enable USB debugging in Developer options

Step 3: Install Android Debug Bridge (ADB)

Install ADB tools on your Linux system using pacman (on Arch Linux) or your distribution’s package manager:

# On Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S android-tools
 
# On Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
 
# On Fedora
sudo dnf install android-tools

Step 4: Establish USB Network Connection

Connect your tablet via USB cable and start the ADB server:

# Start ADB daemon
adb start-server
 
# Verify tablet connection
adb devices

You should see your tablet listed as a connected device. If it’s the first connection, you may need to accept the debugging authorization prompt on your tablet.

Step 5: Test Network Connection

Before proceeding with VNC setup, test the network connection using a simple web server:

# Run nginx container bound to localhost:8080
nerdctl run --name network-test --rm -it -p 8080:80 nginx:latest
 
# In another terminal, forward port to Android
adb reverse tcp:8080 tcp:8080

Open a web browser on your tablet and navigate to localhost:8080. You should see the nginx welcome page, confirming the network connection works.

Clean up the test:

# Remove port forward
adb reverse --remove tcp:8080
 
# Stop nginx container (Ctrl+C in the container terminal)

Step 6: Install and Configure VNC Server

Install WayVNC, a Wayland-native VNC server:

# On Arch Linux (using pacman package manager)
sudo pacman -S wayvnc
 
# On Ubuntu/Debian (may need to build from source)
sudo apt install wayvnc
 
# On Fedora
sudo dnf install wayvnc

For comprehensive package management operations, refer to the Pacman cheatsheet which covers installation, updates, and troubleshooting for Arch Linux systems.

Start the VNC server targeting your virtual output:

# Start VNC server on virtual monitor
wayvnc -o Virtual-1 127.0.0.1 5900
 
# Forward VNC port to Android tablet
adb reverse tcp:5900 tcp:5900

Step 7: Connect from Android Tablet

Install a VNC client on your Android tablet. Recommended options:

  • VNC Viewer (RealVNC - free, reliable)
  • bVNC (open source, feature-rich)
  • TightVNC (lightweight, fast)

Configure the VNC client:

  • Server address: localhost:5900
  • Port: 5900
  • Authentication: Usually none for local connections

The tablet should now display your virtual monitor content as a second screen.

Automation Script

For convenience, use the provided android-screen automation script to streamline the setup process. This script handles virtual monitor creation, ADB networking, and VNC server startup automatically.

Quick Setup:

# Access the automation script from vault utilities
https://vault.flouda.io/scripts/android-screen
 
# Follow the script's interactive prompts for device-specific configuration

Usage and Workflow

Window Management

  • Moving windows: Drag applications to the virtual monitor area
  • Hyprland shortcuts: Use standard Hyprland keybindings to manage windows across monitors
  • Workspace switching: Virtual monitor supports full workspace functionality

Performance Optimization

  • Adjust VNC quality: Lower quality settings for smoother performance
  • Frame rate limiting: Consider limiting refresh rate if experiencing lag
  • Network optimization: Use 5GHz WiFi for wireless connections after initial setup

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Virtual Monitor Not Appearing

  • Verify Hyprland is running correctly
  • Check monitor configuration syntax
  • Restart Hyprland if necessary

ADB Connection Problems

  • Ensure USB debugging is enabled
  • Try different USB cables or ports
  • Revoke USB debugging authorizations and reconnect

VNC Performance Issues

  • Reduce color depth in VNC client settings
  • Lower resolution or refresh rate
  • Check network bandwidth usage

Application Compatibility

  • Some applications may not handle virtual monitors correctly
  • Test with different applications to identify compatibility
  • Consider using specific window rules for problematic apps

Advanced Troubleshooting

Port Conflicts

# Check if port 5900 is already in use
netstat -tulpn | grep 5900
 
# Use alternative port if needed
wayvnc -o Virtual-1 127.0.0.1 5901
adb reverse tcp:5901 tcp:5901

Monitor Configuration Issues

# List current monitor configuration
hyprctl monitors list
 
# Reset monitor configuration
hyprctl keyword monitor Virtual-1,disable
hyprctl keyword monitor Virtual-1,2960x1848@120,auto-left,1

Shutdown Procedure

To properly shut down the extended display setup:

# Stop VNC server (Ctrl+C in VNC terminal)
 
# Remove virtual monitor
hyprctl output remove Virtual-1
 
# Remove port forwarding
adb reverse --remove tcp:5900
 
# Stop ADB server
adb kill-server

Security Considerations

Network Security

  • Local connections only: VNC server is bound to localhost by default
  • USB networking: More secure than WiFi-based solutions
  • No authentication: Consider adding VNC authentication for sensitive work

Android Security

  • Developer options: Disable USB debugging when not needed
  • Trusted devices: Only connect to trusted computers
  • Screen lock: Use secure lock screen on tablet

Performance Optimization

VNC Settings

  • Compression: Enable compression in VNC client
  • Color depth: Reduce to 16-bit for better performance
  • Encoding: Use ZRLE or Tight encoding for efficiency

System Resources

  • CPU usage: Monitor VNC server CPU consumption
  • Memory usage: Virtual displays use system memory
  • Battery life: Consider tablet power management

Alternative Approaches

Wireless Setup

After initial USB setup, you can switch to wireless:

  1. Note your PC’s IP address: ip addr show
  2. Connect both devices to same WiFi network
  3. Use PC’s IP address instead of localhost in VNC client
  4. Ensure firewall allows VNC traffic

Different VNC Servers

  • TigerVNC: Alternative VNC server with different features
  • x11vnc: For X11-based systems
  • RealVNC: Commercial solution with advanced features

References and Resources

External Documentation

Community Resources

  • Barrier/Synergy: Share keyboard and mouse across devices
  • Scrcpy: Android screen mirroring alternative
  • Deskreen: Turn any device into secondary screen

Questions Answered in This Document

Q: Can I use an Android tablet as a second monitor for Linux? A: Yes, you can use an Android tablet as a second monitor by creating a virtual display output with Hyprland, establishing network connectivity via ADB, and streaming the display content using VNC.

Q: What are the system requirements for using Android tablet as second screen? A: You need a Linux system running Hyprland window manager, an Android tablet with developer options enabled, ADB tools, WayVNC server, and a VNC client app on the tablet.

Q: How do I create a virtual monitor in Hyprland? A: Use the commands hyprctl output create headless Virtual-1 and hyprctl keyword monitor Virtual-1,2960x1848@120,auto-left,1 (adjust resolution and refresh rate for your tablet).

Q: Is USB debugging safe to enable on Android? A: USB debugging is generally safe when used with trusted devices. Disable it when not needed and only connect to computers you trust to maintain security.

Q: What VNC client should I use on Android? A: Popular options include VNC Viewer (RealVNC), bVNC, and TightVNC. Choose based on your needs for features, performance, and user interface preferences.

Q: How can I improve VNC streaming performance? A: Optimize performance by reducing color depth, using compression, choosing efficient encoding (ZRLE or Tight), and ensuring good network connectivity between devices.

Q: Can I use this setup wirelessly instead of USB? A: Yes, after initial USB setup, you can switch to wireless by connecting both devices to the same WiFi network and using your PC’s IP address instead of localhost in the VNC client.

Q: What should I do if the virtual monitor doesn’t appear? A: Verify Hyprland is running correctly, check monitor configuration syntax, and restart Hyprland if necessary. Use hyprctl monitors list to verify the virtual monitor was created.

Q: How do I properly shut down the extended display setup? A: Stop the VNC server, remove the virtual monitor with hyprctl output remove Virtual-1, remove port forwarding with adb reverse --remove tcp:5900, and stop the ADB server with adb kill-server.

Q: Are there security considerations when using this setup? A: Yes, ensure VNC is bound to localhost only, disable USB debugging when not needed, use secure lock screens, and only connect to trusted devices to maintain security.

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