How to use SpaceDesk over a Wired Connection?

Question

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1" that I want to use as a second monitor with my PC. Spacedesk works great for my needs so long as I'm on a network with lots of bandwidth -- but more frequently I want to use second-monitor functionality in other environments, e.g. at a coffee shop, where the number of users bogs down network traffic and makes Spacedesk unacceptably slow.

Spacedesk doesn't natively support a wired connection, but for those who want one they suggest using USB tethering, presumably so both devices are on the same network. Problem is, my tablet is the Wifi-only version, so USB tethering isn't enabled. I rooted the device and used adb to run the commands enabling USB tethering as an option. It didn't take - the option never appeared under Settings / Connections. Then I installed ClockworkMod Tether as a 3rd party usb tether app. The PC tether software said it connected successfully to the tablet, but Spacedesk couldn't connect. Next I tried "gnirehtet", a reverse-tethering app. Got it working fine, but again Spacedesk on the tablet couldn't find the Spacedesk server on the PC.

How can I get both devices to be on the same network, without an intermediate connection (e.g. a router), in a way that preserves my PC's ability to connect to wifi, and that will allow Spacedesk to connect?

Answer 1

Turns out there's this thing called "Mobile Hotspot". Of course I couldn't use this on my tablet, as it had been disabled (thanks Samsung). But you can set it up on Windows easily -- in Windows 10 it's under Settings / Network & Internet / Mobile Hotspot. Connect your tablet to that hotspot and Spacedesk works like a charm.

Huge thanks to SpaceDesk customer support, who were extremely helpful in troubleshooting this apparently rather unusual situation. 5 stars both for the product, which I can now use anywhere, and the customer service.

Answer 2

Wifi tethering is possible with the tab A but only on android versions 6.x and below. it can be turned on via usb tethering enabling apps found in the app store that take you to the options in the settings of your device, these options appear to just be hidden in versions lower than 7 but removed in android 7 for whatever reason as the same apps just take you to an empty screen when used with 7.

If you have already upgraded to android 7.0 or above, and having spacedesk work with minimal lag is important to you, then I suggest you roll back youre tablet android version using Odin. This is what I've had to do after updating my tablet today (google it, there's plenty of guides out there)

TBH spacedesk is just poop over wifi. With USB you can watch video no problem