# Remote Control & Mobile Workflows The **Remote Control** interface transforms any smartphone, tablet, or secondary laptop into an untethered, wireless lighting console. Built directly on modern Web standards, it eliminates the need to install third-party companion apps or purchase expensive proprietary hardware remotes. Whether you are walking a stage to focus moving heads, checking audience blinders from the back of the arena, or handing a stage manager an auxiliary tablet with worklight cues, Unilighter provides real-time, zero-latency control over your local network. --- ## ⚡ Connection Architectures: Desktop vs. Browser Unilighter supports two remote control architectures depending on whether you run **Unilighter Desktop** or the **Web Browser Console**: | Feature | Unilighter Desktop (Recommended) | Web Browser Console | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Architecture** | **Client-Server** (Local HTTP + WebSocket) | Peer-to-Peer WebRTC DataChannels | | **Internet Dependency** | **100% Offline** (local Wi-Fi only) | **Requires Internet** initially to load apps & exchange SDP | | **Pairing Process** | **Instant QR Code** + 4-digit PIN confirmation | Manual SDP offer/answer or signaling | | **Device Authorization** | **Device Memory** (auto-reconnects next time) | Session-based | | **Port / Firewall** | TCP `3848` (configurable) | Standard WebRTC UDP ports | --- ## 🖥️ 1. Unilighter Desktop: LAN Client-Server Host (Recommended) In **Unilighter Desktop**, the application acts as a dedicated local HTTP and WebSocket server directly on your workstation: 1. **Enable Server**: Go to **Settings** (`⚙️`) $\rightarrow$ **Remote control** and click **Enable remote control**. 2. **Scan Live QR Code**: Point your phone camera at the dynamically generated QR code (or visit the displayed local IP address, e.g. `http://192.168.1.100:3848`). 3. **Approve via PIN**: The phone displays a 4-digit confirmation code. A popup appears in Desktop—click **Allow** to grant access. 4. **Permanent Device Memory**: Once approved, Unilighter Desktop remembers your phone so you can reconnect instantly during the show. 5. **Firewall Notice**: If your phone cannot open the page, ensure TCP port **`3848`** is allowed through your computer's firewall (Windows Defender, macOS Firewall, or Linux `ufw`). 👉 Read the complete step-by-step manual: **[LAN Remote Control & Mobile Dashboard Guide](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/desktop/remote-control.md)**. --- ## 🌐 2. Web Browser Console: WebRTC Peer-to-Peer (Fallback) If you are running the web console at [console.unilighter.cc](https://console.unilighter.cc) without the desktop app, remote control operates via direct browser-to-browser WebRTC DataChannels: 1. **Pairing**: Navigate to `/#/remote-connect` on the remote device. 2. **SDP Exchange**: The host console generates a Session Description Protocol (SDP) offer. The client accepts the offer and creates an answer. 3. **Connection Constraints**: Both the host computer and the remote phone must have an active internet connection to load the console scripts and establish the WebRTC handshake. Once connected, control signals travel over the local network. --- ## 📱 Mobile-Optimized Remote Interface The Remote Control view is specifically optimized for touchscreens: - **Touch-Friendly Controls**: Large vertical faders, responsive rotary knobs, high-contrast RGB/RGBW color pickers, and 2D Pan/Tilt XY pads designed for single-thumb operation. - **Independent Layout Scaling**: Each remote device can independently resize and arrange its widget cards to fit its specific screen dimensions (from compact smartphone screens to 12.9" iPad Pros) without affecting the desktop operator's layout. - **Multi-Device Real-Time Sync**: When an operator adjusts a fader on stage, the change instantly reflects on the front-of-house desktop monitor and 3D Visualizer. --- ## 🛠️ Practical Production Workflows ### 1. Solo Stage Focus Walking In traditional setups, focusing moving heads or setting beam angles requires two people: one on stage yelling instructions and another at the console pushing faders. With Remote Control, a single lighting designer can walk the stage with a phone in hand, fine-tuning Pan, Tilt, Zoom, and Focus while standing exactly where the performer will be. ### 2. Dedicated Stage Manager & Tech Panels During theatrical productions or corporate events, you can provide the stage manager or audio engineer with a dedicated tablet running an isolated [Group Container Widget](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard/widget-group.md) containing only house worklights, lectern spotlights, and emergency blackouts. This prevents accidental tampering with complex show cue stacks. ### 3. FOH Sound & Lighting Separation In smaller venues where the lighting desk is positioned backstage or in a side booth, the operator can carry a lightweight laptop or tablet to the Front-of-House (FOH) audience area during soundcheck to verify beam sightlines and color balance from the crowd's perspective. Read more in the **[Live Dashboard Guide](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/dashboard.md)** and the **[Console Interface & Screen Reference](https://unilighter.cc/info/for-ai/docs/screens-guide.md)**.