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Guide

OpenClaw Android App

The official OpenClaw Android companion app (v2026.2.24) turns your phone into an AI node — connecting your camera, microphone, screen, and sensors to a running OpenClaw gateway. This guide covers installation, connection methods, and how to use it with your OpenClaw Launch managed instance.

What Is the OpenClaw Android App?

The OpenClaw Android app is a companion / node app, not a standalone gateway. It connects to an existing OpenClaw gateway over WebSocket and exposes your Android device's hardware — camera, microphone, screen, and sensors — as tools the AI agent can use.

Think of it as extending your AI agent's reach into the physical world. Once connected, your agent can see through your phone's camera, hear through the microphone, speak aloud, and display content on your screen — all while the gateway handles the AI reasoning, model routing, and skill execution.

The app does not run an OpenClaw gateway itself. You still need a gateway running somewhere — either self-hosted on a server or managed by OpenClaw Launch.

What You Need

  • An OpenClaw gateway running somewhere — a self-hosted Docker instance, a local install, or an OpenClaw Launch managed instance
  • An Android device running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later
  • The OpenClaw Android app from Google Play or sideloaded via APK
  • Network connectivity between your phone and the gateway — same LAN, Tailscale, or a public URL

How to Install

From Google Play

Search for “OpenClaw” on the Google Play Store and install the official app by the OpenClaw team. This is the recommended method — you get automatic updates and verified builds.

Sideload via APK

If you prefer to sideload, download the latest APK from the OpenClaw GitHub releases page. Enable “Install from unknown sources” in your Android settings, then open the APK to install.

Connecting to Your Gateway

The app supports three ways to discover and connect to an OpenClaw gateway. Choose the method that matches your setup.

Method 1: mDNS / NSD (Same LAN)

If your phone and gateway are on the same local network (same Wi-Fi), the app can discover the gateway automatically via mDNS (also called NSD on Android).

  1. Open the OpenClaw app and go to the Connect tab.
  2. The app scans for OpenClaw gateways on the local network. Your gateway should appear in the list within a few seconds.
  3. Tap the gateway to connect. Enter the auth token if prompted.
Not seeing your gateway? Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some routers block mDNS traffic between clients — try Method 3 (manual URL) instead.

Method 2: Tailscale

If you use Tailscale for networking, the app can connect to your gateway over the Tailscale mesh network, even when your phone is on a different network (e.g., cellular).

  1. Install and enable Tailscale on both your phone and the machine running the gateway.
  2. In the OpenClaw app, go to Connect and tap Manual.
  3. Enter the Tailscale IP of your gateway (e.g., http://100.x.y.z:18789).
  4. Enter the auth token and connect.

Method 3: Manual Gateway URL

For any gateway accessible via a URL — public domain, IP address, or tunneled connection — enter the address manually.

  1. In the OpenClaw app, go to Connect and tap Manual.
  2. Enter the full gateway URL, for example:
    • https://openclaw.yourdomain.com (reverse-proxied with HTTPS)
    • http://192.168.1.100:18789 (LAN IP)
    • https://your-instance.openclawlaunch.com (OpenClaw Launch)
  3. Enter the auth token when prompted and tap Connect.

Connecting to Your OpenClaw Launch Instance

If you're using OpenClaw Launch for managed hosting, here is how to connect the Android app to your instance:

  1. Find your instance URL and auth token. Go to your Dashboard page on OpenClaw Launch. Click on your instance to open its detail page. You'll see the Gateway URL and Auth Token listed there.
  2. Open the Android app and go to the Connect tab.
  3. Tap Manual and enter your instance's gateway URL (e.g., https://your-instance.openclawlaunch.com).
  4. Enter the auth token from your dashboard and tap Connect.
  5. The app connects over WebSocket. You should see “Connected” status in the app. Your phone is now a node attached to your managed instance.
OpenClaw Launch advantage: Your instance already has HTTPS, auth tokens, and networking configured. No need to set up reverse proxies, trustedProxies, or allowInsecureAuth — just paste the URL and token.

App Features: The Five Tabs

The OpenClaw Android app is organized into five tabs, each exposing different capabilities to your AI agent.

Connect

Gateway discovery and connection management. Shows connection status, lets you switch between gateways, and displays the current session info.

Chat

A built-in chat interface for interacting with your AI agent directly from the app. Works just like the gateway web UI — send messages, receive responses, and view conversation history.

Voice

Hands-free voice interaction. Uses your phone's microphone for speech-to-text input and the speaker for text-to-speech output. Useful for on-the-go conversations without typing.

Screen

Allows the AI agent to display content on your phone's screen — images, text, canvases, or UI elements. The agent can also observe what's on screen when you share your display.

Settings

App configuration — gateway connection settings, notification preferences, permission management, and theme options.

Camera & Canvas

Two of the most powerful features of the Android app are camera access and canvas display:

  • Camera: The app requests camera permission on first use. Once granted, your AI agent can capture photos or stream video from your phone's camera. This enables visual tasks — reading documents, identifying objects, navigating spaces, or any scenario where the agent needs to “see.”
  • Canvas: The agent can render visual output — charts, diagrams, images, or interactive elements — directly on your phone's screen via the Screen tab. This turns your phone into a dynamic display controlled by the AI.

Limitations

The Android app is a powerful companion, but there are some things to keep in mind:

  • Foreground only for camera & canvas: Camera streaming and canvas display require the app to be in the foreground. If you switch to another app, these features pause until you return.
  • Requires an active gateway: The app is a node, not a gateway. If your gateway goes offline, the app can't function independently. It will reconnect automatically when the gateway comes back.
  • Android is a node, not a gateway: You cannot run an OpenClaw gateway on the Android app. The app connects to a gateway — it doesn't become one.
  • Battery usage: Continuous camera or voice streaming consumes more battery. Use Settings to manage power-intensive features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Android app without a server?

No. The app is a companion that connects to a running OpenClaw gateway. You need a gateway running somewhere — on a local machine, a VPS, or a managed instance from OpenClaw Launch. The app does not include a gateway.

Does the app work over cellular data?

Yes, as long as your gateway is reachable from the internet. If your gateway is behind a firewall (LAN only), you'll need Tailscale or a reverse proxy to make it accessible. OpenClaw Launch instances are always publicly accessible over HTTPS.

Is there an iOS app?

As of v2026.2.24, the official app is Android only. Check the OpenClaw GitHub for the latest on iOS support.

Can multiple phones connect to the same gateway?

Yes. Each phone connects as a separate node. The gateway manages all connected nodes and can route tasks to any of them.

Do I need to pair the app like Telegram or Discord?

The Android app authenticates directly with the gateway auth token — no DM pairing required. Just enter the URL and token, and you're connected.

Related Guides

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