Android Companion Setup

Android Companion Setup

NetWatch Android browses and plays through a paired Windows PC. It does not contain a torrent engine, provider credentials, VPN client, or independent viewing-history database.

Install

1. Confirm the compatibility requirement in the current Android README.
2. Download the APK from the latest Android release.
3. Install it on the Android device. Android may ask you to allow installation from the app used to open the APK.

Only install releases from the project repository.

Pair

1. Connect the phone and PC to the same private network.
2. Start NetWatch on the PC and wait for the runtime to become ready.
3. Open Settings → Remote access on the PC.
4. Select the private network interface and enable remote access.
5. Select Pair new device.
6. On Android, select Scan pairing QR and allow camera access.
7. Scan the code shown by NetWatch.

The pairing code expires after five minutes and works once. See Pairing and Remote Access for device management and re-pairing.

Orientation

The catalog is portrait-only. Playback opens in landscape and remains in landscape until the player closes.

If pairing fails

• Keep the pairing code fully visible and well lit.
• Confirm that camera permission is enabled for NetWatch Android.
• Confirm that the PC and phone can reach each other; guest Wi-Fi and client isolation commonly block this.
• Generate a new QR code if the existing one expired.
• If the PC address or remote identity changed, remove the old Android profile and pair again.