How to turn off your computer from your phone via Wi-Fi: all the working methods

Did you leave home and forget to turn off your computer? Or just want to control your PC remotely without leaving the couch? Turning off your computer from your phone via Wi-Fi is easier than it seems. It doesn't require complex technical skills or expensive equipment: all you need is a smartphone connected to the same network as your PC and 5-10 minutes of setup.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods remote shutdown of Windows PC with Android or iPhone — from standard system tools to specialized applications. You'll learn how to set up remote control without compromising security, which programs are best to use, and what to do if your PC isn't responding. Finally, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions and life hacks for experienced users.

1. Preparing your computer for remote shutdown

Before turning off your PC from your phone, you need to make sure it's ready to receive network commands. Without proper configuration, none of these methods will work—it's like trying to open a door without a key.

Here's what needs to be done Necessarily:

• 🔌 Connect your PC and phone to the same Wi-Fi networkIf you use mobile internet on your phone, enable it on your PC. mobile hotspot (in Windows 10/11 this is done in Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot).
• 🛡️ Disable the firewall for your local network (temporary measure). Go to Control Panel → Windows Firewall → Turn on or off and uncheck the box Turn on Windows Firewall (recommended) For private networks.
• 🔑 Remember the IP address of your PC. Click Win + R, enter cmd, then run the command in the console ipconfigFind the line IPv4 address - this is the required address (for example, 192.168.1.100).

Also check that on PC Wake-on-LAN protocol is enabled (If you plan to not only turn off but also turn on your computer remotely). To do this:

1. Open device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Expand the branch Network adapters, find your network card (for example, Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller).
3. Right-click on the adapter → Properties → Power Management.
4. Check the boxes opposite "Allow this device to wake the computer" And "Allow only magic type packets".

2. Method 1: Shutdown via command line (without programs)

The most reliable and universal method is to send a shutdown command via Telnet protocol or PowerShellIt works on all versions of Windows (from 7 to 11) and doesn't require any third-party software. The only downside is that you have to manually enter commands on your phone.

Instructions for Android:

1. Install from Google Play application "Terminal Emulator for Android" or "Termux".
2. Connect to PC via Telnet (if it is enabled on PC) or use PowerShell Remoting (requires configuration).
3. Enter the command:

   shutdown /s /f /t 0

   Where:

   • /s — switching off;
   • /f — forced closing of programs;
   • /t 0 — timer 0 seconds (instant).

For iPhone the app will do "Prompt 2" or "Termius"The algorithm is similar, but instead of Telnet easier to use SSH (needs to be configured in advance) OpenSSH on PC).

Enable the Telnet component in Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off|Start the Telnet service with the command net start telnet In CMD as admin|Check ports in the firewall (port 23 must be open)|Make sure there is a user with a password on the PC (Telnet won't work without a password)-->

What to do if the command fails?

If the PC does not turn off after sending the command, check:

1. User rights: The command must be run as administrator.

2. Firewall: temporarily disable your antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or Avast may block the connection).

3. IP address: Make sure you are connecting to the correct IP (sometimes the router changes it after a reboot).

4. Windows version: In Windows 11, the protocol is disabled by default Telnet - use PowerShell Remoting (team Enable-PSRemoting -Force on PC).

3. Method 2: Remote control applications (TeamViewer, AnyDesk)

If the command line seems complicated, use remote access programsThey not only allow you to shut down your PC but also give you full control over your desktop. The downside is that they require installation on both the PC and the phone and can sometimes slow down on slow networks.

The best apps for this task are:

Step by step instructions for TeamViewer:

1. Download and install TeamViewer on PC with official website.
2. Run the program, write down ID And password (they will be displayed in the main window).
3. Install TeamViewer QuickSupport on your phone (Android/iOS).
4. Enter your PC ID in the mobile app, then your password.
5. Once connected, click on the ⚙️ icon → "Advanced" → "Turn off computer".

⚠️ Attention: Don't leave TeamViewer or AnyDesk Always-on programs with simple passwords. Attackers scan networks for open remote access sessions. Use complex passwords or disable programs after use.

4. Method 3: Specialized utilities (Unified Remote, Shutdown Start Remote)

If you only need to shut down/restart your PC, and not manage it completely, there is lightweight utilities, optimized for this task. They take up little space, don't overload the system, and often work faster than general-purpose solutions.

Top 3 programs for remote shutdown:

• 📱 Unified Remote — supports not only shutdown, but also media, keyboard, and mouse control. There is a plugin for Wake-on-LAN (to turn on the PC). Plus: cross-platform (Android/iOS). Minus: some functions are paid.
• ⚡ Shutdown Start Remote — a minimalist app for shutdown/restart only. Works via HTTP server, which is installed on the PC. Plus: no registration required. Minus: the interface is outdated.
• 🔌 Remote Shutdown — Sends a shutdown command over the local network. Supports a timer and forced program closure. Plus: open source. Minus: for Android only.

How to set up Unified Remote:

1. Download Unified Remote Server for PC with developer's website and install.
2. Start the server (it will run in the background, the icon will appear in the tray).
3. Install the mobile app Unified Remote on the phone.
4. Connect to your PC (it should automatically appear in the list of devices).
5. Select a remote action "Power" →"Shutdown".

⚠️ Attention: When connecting for the first time Unified Remote may request permission in Windows FirewallAllow access for . private networks, otherwise the connection will be blocked.

5. Method 4: Shutdown via Wake-on-LAN (for advanced users)

If you want to not only turn off, but also include PC from phone, set up Wake-on-LAN (WoL)This protocol sends a special packet ("Magic Packet"), which "wakes up" the computer. To turn it off, you can combine WoL with one of the previous methods.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A PC with a supported network card (most modern motherboards and laptops support WoL).
• 📶 A router that does not filter broadcast packets (in some models you need to enable it) "IP Directed Broadcast").
• 📱 Phone app for sending Magic Packet (For example, "Wake On Lan" for Android or "Mocha WOL" for iOS).

Setting up WoL on PC:

1. Enable WoL in BIOS/UEFI:
   • Restart your PC and enter the BIOS (usually the key Del, F2 or Esc).
   • Find the section "Power Management" or "Advanced".
   • Activate the option "Wake-on-LAN" or "PCIe/PCI Power On".
   • Save settings (F10).

Configure your network adapter in Windows (see Section 1 of this article).

Find out MAC address network card (command ipconfig /all in CMD, line Physical address).

Now you can turn off and on your PC:

1. Turn off your PC using one of the previous methods (for example, Unified Remote).
2. To enable, open the WoL app on your phone, enter MAC address, Router IP address (For example, 192.168.1.1) and port 9 (default).
3. Send Magic Packet.
Why WoL doesn't work?

Common causes:

1. The router is blocking packets: check the settings "IP Directed Broadcast" or "WoL" in the router's web interface.

2. The PC is completely de-energized: WoL only works if the motherboard is supplied with standby power (there may be an option in the BIOS settings "ErP/EuP Ready" - it needs to be turned off).

3. Incorrect MAC address: Make sure you enter the address of the network card through which your PC is connected to the network.

4. Windows hibernates instead of shutting down: In this case, WoL won't work. Disable hibernation with the command powercfg /h off in CMD from admin.

6. Method 5: Disabling via Telegram bot (for geeks)

If you like automation, you can set it up Shutting down a PC via TelegramTo do this you will need a small script on Python and the bot in Telegram, which will send a command to the PC.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works from anywhere in the world (not just on a local network).
• ✅ You can add two-factor authentication (for example, a PIN code request).
• ✅ Supports advanced commands (reboot, logout, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Install Python on PC (download from official website).
2. Create a bot in Telegram through @BotFather and get API token.
3. Download the script pc-telegram-bot from GitHub (or write your own).
4. Edit the file config.ini, specifying the bot token and allowed commands.
5. Run the script on your PC (it will run in the background).
6. Send a command to the bot /shutdown from the phone.

⚠️ Attention: This method requires the script to be running on the PC at all times. If the PC shuts down abnormally (for example, due to a power outage), the bot will stop responding. Also, don't store the bot token in plaintext—it could be used to control your PC.

7. Possible problems and their solutions

Even after proper setup, errors may still occur. Here the most common problems and ways to eliminate them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The phone does not find the PC on the local network	The PC and phone are connected to different networks	Check the Wi-Fi network name on both devices. If you're using mobile data, enable the hotspot on your PC.
The shutdown command is not executed.	A firewall or antivirus is blocking the connection.	Temporarily disable protection or add an exception for the port 3389 (RDP), 23 (Telnet) or 5985 (PowerShell).
The app asks for a password, but there is none.	There is no user password set on the PC.	Create a password for your Windows account in Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
WoL does not include PC	The router filters Magic Packet	Enable it in your router settings. "IP Directed Broadcast" or set up port forwarding for WoL.
The Telegram bot isn't responding.	The script is not running on your PC or is blocked.	Check that Python added to firewall exceptions and the script was run as administrator.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔌 PC power supply: Some motherboards block remote control when the power cable is disconnected (even if the PC is running on battery).
• 🔄 Windows Updates: After major updates (for example, upgrading from Windows 10 to 11), network protocol settings may be reset.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Avast, ESET NOD32 and others can block "suspicious" network activity. Add an exception for your phone's IP address.

8. Security: How to prevent hackers from shutting down your PC

Remote control is convenient, but also riskyIf you don't take precautions, attackers can scan your network, find open ports, and send a shutdown command or, worse, gain complete control of your PC.

Safety rules:

• 🔒 Use complex passwords for Windows account and applications like TeamViewerThe minimum length is 12 characters with numbers and special characters.
• 🌐 Don't open ports on your router. for internet access (if you don't know what you're doing). All settings in this article are for local network.
• 🔄 Disable remote accesswhen it is not needed. For example, close TeamViewer after use or stop Python script bot.
• 🛡️ Update your software: vulnerabilities in older versions Unified Remote or AnyDesk may allow hackers to bypass authentication.

If you're setting up remote shutdown for an office PC, be sure to coordinate this with your network administrator. Corporate networks often block protocols like Telnet or RDP, and unauthorized changes to the settings could violate security policies.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to turn off a PC from a phone if it is connected to the network via a cable and the phone is connected via Wi-Fi?

Yes, the main thing is that both devices are on the same local network. For example, if the PC is connected to the router via cable and the phone is connected to the same router via Wi-Fi, commands will be transmitted correctly. Problems can only arise if the router isolates the devices (for example, on a guest network).

How to shut down a Mac from a phone?

For macOS The same methods will work, but with some adjustments:

• For command line use ssh user@ip-address, then the command sudo shutdown -h now.
• Instead of TeamViewer you can use the built-in application "On-screen" (Screen Sharing).
• For WoL the setting is similar, but in System Preferences → Energy Saver needs to be turned on "Wake for network access".

Why doesn't the PC shut down immediately after the command?

Possible reasons:

• Windows waits for background processes to close (disable the option in Settings → System → Power & sleep → Additional power settings → Choose what the power buttons do → Change unavailable settings → uncheck Turn on fast startup).
• Antivirus is blocking the command (check the logs) Windows Defender or third-party antivirus).
• The command is sent with a delay (some applications have a timeout setting).

Is it possible to turn off my PC via 4G/5G if I'm not at home?

Yes, but for this you need:

• Tune port forwarding (port forwarding) on ​​the router to access the PC from the Internet.
• Use static IP (or dynamic DNS, for example, No-IP).
• Make sure that your provider doesn't block incoming connections (some mobile internet operators have tariffs that prohibit this).

Attention: This access is less secure than local access. We recommend using VPN (For example, WireGuard) to encrypt traffic.

Which app is the lightest and doesn't overload the system?

If you only need the power off function, choose Shutdown Start Remote or Remote ShutdownThey take up less than 5 MB and do not run background processes, unlike TeamViewer or AnyDesk.