DevPeek

Android companion: scan to capture and transfer

The Android companion uses a system VPN to route test-device HTTP(S) traffic to DevPeek without repeatedly editing Wi-Fi proxy settings. It also transfers text, images, video, and files between phone and desktop.

The Android app is a 1.4.0 Beta feature. QR/link/manual connection, certificate assistance, and transfer are available; per-app filtering and an iOS companion are not.

Before you start

  • Connect the desktop and Android test device to the same LAN.
  • Start DevPeek, verify the proxy, and open the Phone panel on the right rail.
  • Download the Android app from the Phone panel or the official APK URL.
  • The pairing code contains a LAN proxy address. Keep it within a trusted test network.

Connect by QR code

  1. Open the Phone panel on desktop to show the pairing QR code.
  2. Scan it in the Android app, or import an image, paste a link, or enter IP and port manually.
  3. Approve the Android VPN request. A green dot appears on the desktop Phone icon when connected.
  4. Visit an HTTP page in Chrome and verify traffic under the matching client tab.
  5. Recent computers are remembered and checked; the VPN disconnects when the desktop proxy disappears.
Pairing QR code in the DevPeek desktop Phone panel
Desktop Phone panel: select a device and display its pairing QR code.
Scan entry and recent connections in the DevPeek Android companion
Android app: scan, enter an address manually, or reconnect from recent computers.

Install the HTTPS root certificate

VPN routing alone does not decrypt HTTPS. Install the DevPeek root CA on the test device and configure desktop SSL scope.

  1. After connecting, open Settings → Install certificate in the Android app.
  2. Tap Save and open settings. The file is saved as Downloads/devpeek-ca.crt.
  3. Open Security → Encryption & credentials → Install certificate → CA certificate. Do not choose VPN and apps.
  4. Set a screen lock first if Android requires it.
  5. Include the host in DevPeek SSL settings, refresh, and verify readable headers and bodies.

Android 7+ apps may reject user CAs. Chrome is usually suitable for validation; many production apps and certificate-pinned apps remain encrypted. Use an authorized debug build or test image—DevPeek cannot bypass certificate pinning.

Transfer between phone and desktop

  • Send text, images, and files in either direction after connecting; each file may be up to 2 GB.
  • Transfer uses a separate channel and does not enter the capture list.
  • Open images and videos in full-screen preview; Android supports long-press copy and video controls.
  • Save received files on desktop or retry failures. Previous Android transfer history remains available offline.
File-transfer conversation in the DevPeek desktop Phone panel
Desktop transfer assistant: send text and preview or save media received from Android.
File-transfer conversation in the DevPeek Android app
Android transfer assistant: exchange text, video, APKs, and other files in one conversation.

Disconnect or switch computers

Tap Disconnect in the Android header to stop the VPN. Disconnect before changing networks, handing over a device, or enabling another VPN.

Troubleshooting

  • Cannot scan: try image import, pasted link, or manual IP and port.
  • Connection timeout: verify LAN reachability, current desktop IP, proxy state, firewall, and AP isolation.
  • HTTP works but HTTPS fails: check CA installation, SSL include/exclude rules, and app trust policy.
  • Browser works but one app fails: that app likely rejects user CAs or pins certificates.
  • Transfer fails while capture works: the channels are independent; reopen the Phone panel or reconnect.

Read proxy & HTTPS / certificates · Read capture UI & requests