GSConnect: control Linux from your smartphone

Extesion/GSConnect

Today I tried an extension for GNOME: GSConnect:

GSConnect is a complete implementation of KDE Connect especially for GNOME Shell with Nautilus, Chrome and Firefox integration. It does not rely on the KDE Connect desktop application and will not work with it installed.
KDE Connect allows devices to securely share content like notifications or files and other features like SMS messaging and remote control. The KDE Connect team has applications for Linux, BSD, Android, Sailfish, iOS, macOS and Windows.
from: https://extensions.gnome.org

With this extension it is possible to control the Linux Desktop with a smartphone on which the same application is installed and also to have the browser always communicate with the smartphone.

You can shut down, restart, lock, suspend or log out of Linux via your smartphone.

It is necessary that the smartphone and PC are connected to the same WiFi network.

I tried it on Arch Linux and it partially works. I can’t get the mouse to move using the touchscreen on my smartphone. It is very convenient to quickly transfer files via WiFi from smartphone to PC and control the Linux multimesia player from Android.

How to install GSConnect

1 – Install GSConnect GNOME Shell extension

https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1319/gsconnect/

2 – Install KDE Connect App

Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kde.kdeconnect_tp

macOS

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kde-connect/id1580245991

After installation, it is necessary to assign multiple permissions to the application which will be notified at the first start and shown on the main screen as a list.

3 – Install GSConnect browser addon

Firefox:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/gsconnect/

Chrome:

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/gsconnect/jfnifeihccihocjbfcfhicmmgpjicaec

Now it will be possible to share links to web pages, shut down, restart, lock or log out of Linux, control multimedia players, transfer files and clipboard text between smartphones and Linux desktops connected to the same WiFi network.

It should also be possible to control the movement mouse but it doesn’t work for me with GNOME 45.