Learn how to stream audio from your computer to your cell phone and enjoy your favorite content on the go. Start streaming now!
Using an Android device as a PC speaker can be useful in several situations: extending the sound of the PC in the home or office (remote speaker), bringing the audio of music or movies from the computer to the headphones of the mobile, as a baby monitor, to listen to Spotify without limitations, etc.
How to Stream Audio from Computer to Cell Phone
Here I show you how to turn an Android into a wireless PC speaker using WiFi, using several software alternatives. As in the article Use Android as a PC microphone , you only need to install a program on the computer (server) and an application on the mobile phone (client). Both computers must be connected to the same WiFi network.
Soundwire
The SoundWire software package (server + client) will be used here, which can be downloaded from the developer’s website: www.georgielabs.net.
Step 1. Install soundwire server (PC)
Download from georgielabs.net. It installs just like any other program, except that when a Windows Security Alert appears about the Firewall, you should click Allow access .
Open the program and set the Input Select . For Windows 7/8, choose Default multimedia device (see image below). Windows XP users should choose Stereo mix , Wave out mix or What u hear .
Step 2. Install the SoundWire app (Android)
Download and install SoundWireFree from Google Play . Open the app and tap on the coiled wire image in the center of the screen.
If the connection is established correctly, this wire should turn orange and the PC program should display Status: Connected . You should now be able to hear PC audio on the phone (make sure the volume is set to an appropriate level).
If you get an error when trying to establish a connection, enter the PC’s IP address in the Server field of the Android application and tap the coiled wire again.
Reduce latency
If your audio is lagging, open SoundWire settings on Android, tap on Audio Buffer Size and choose the lowest value available ( 8K ). Also leave the Audio compression box checked in case you experience audio dropouts (this helps, but it’s always important to have a good Wi-Fi signal so there are no dropouts).
AudioRelay, WiFi Speakers, AirFoil Speakers
AudioRelay is another alternative available on Google Play that also allows for wireless or USB cable connection for less lag. AirFoil Speakers for Android and Wifi Speakers are two other decent options from the same store. AirFoil works on Windows and MAC, while Wifi Speakers works on Windows and even under 3G or 4G.
Chrome Remote Desktop
This is a software to view and control your PC from your cell phone and yes, in addition to the PC screen it also transmits audio to the cell phone, so it is perfectly usable for the purpose of this article. You just have to go to the official website of this service to start configuring it. If you need help I have a tutorial here .