Sometimes it can be quite pricy to buy all the gear you need to level up your stream, which is why it’s nice to have budget friendly alternatives that allow you to use things you already have to do a job.

This is where your mobile phone or tablet comes in to play.

By installing a couple of apps, you could have your own Stream Deck right in front of you and it won’t cost you a lot to get started using it to control your stream.

Keep reading to find out how to use your phone or tablet as a Stream Deck.

Stream Deck Mobile App

What is Stream Deck Mobile?

Stream Deck Mobile is an app developed by Elgato that turns your tablet or smartphone into a customizable stream controller.

It allows you to create and manage a series of virtual buttons on your device’s screen, which can be assigned to various actions and shortcuts related to live streaming, multimedia control, and other computer applications.

Stream Deck Mobile is designed to work seamlessly with popular streaming software and platforms, enabling you to manage your live streams efficiently and interact with your audience more effectively.

By connecting your device to the Stream Deck software on your computer through a Wi-Fi network, you can take advantage of this powerful and versatile tool to enhance your content creation and streaming experience.

It’s the closest thing to owning an actual Stream Deck since it’s made by the same company.

Setting up Stream Deck Mobile

Follow these easy steps to set up Stream Deck Mobile:

  1. Download the Stream Deck Mobile app:

    Visit the App Store (for iOS devices) or the Google Play Store (for Android devices) and search for “Stream Deck Mobile.”

    Download and install the app on your tablet or smartphone.
  2. Install the Stream Deck software on your computer:

    Go to the Elgato website (https://www.elgato.com/en/stream-deck) and navigate to the “Downloads” section.

    Download the Stream Deck software for your operating system (Windows or macOS) and install it on your computer.
  3. Create an Elgato account or sign in:

    If you don’t already have an Elgato account, create one by visiting the Elgato website and clicking “Sign Up.”

    Alternatively, you can sign in with an existing account.
  4. Connect your device and computer to the same Wi-Fi network:

    Ensure that both your tablet or smartphone and your computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

    This connection is necessary for the Stream Deck Mobile app and the Stream Deck software on your computer to communicate with each other.
  5. Launch the Stream Deck Mobile app:

    Open the Stream Deck Mobile app on your device and sign in with your Elgato account.
  6. Pair your device with the Stream Deck software on your computer:

    The Stream Deck Mobile app will display a QR code.

    Open the Stream Deck software on your computer, click on the “Devices” tab, and select “Pair New Device.”

    Use your computer’s camera to scan the QR code displayed on your device’s screen.

    Once the pairing is successful, your device will be connected to the Stream Deck software on your computer.
  7. Customize your buttons and actions:

    In the Stream Deck software on your computer, you can customize your virtual buttons by dragging and dropping various actions onto them.

    You can choose from a wide range of actions related to streaming, multimedia control, and other applications.

    You can also create folders for better organization and add custom icons to the buttons for easy identification.
  8. Save and sync your settings:

    Once you’ve finished customizing your buttons and actions, click “Save” in the Stream Deck software.

    Your settings will be synced with the Stream Deck Mobile app on your device, and you can start using your new virtual stream controller.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits:

  • Easy setup and user-friendly interface
  • Direct integration with popular streaming software
  • Over 30 customizable buttons

Limitations:

  • Subscription-based pricing model
  • Works exclusively with Elgato software

Is Stream Deck Mobile free?

Stream Deck Mobile is not entirely free. While you can download and install the app without any cost, it operates on a subscription-based pricing model. To use Stream Deck Mobile and unlock its full functionality, you need to subscribe to one of their available plans.

Elgato offers a 30-day free trial for new users, allowing you to test the app and determine if it meets your needs before committing to a subscription. After the trial period, you can choose between a monthly or yearly subscription plan, depending on your preference.

It’s important to note that the Stream Deck Mobile app works exclusively with the Elgato Stream Deck software, which is available for free on their website. To use Stream Deck Mobile, you will need to install the Stream Deck software on your computer and connect it to the mobile app on your tablet or smartphone.

Touch Portal App

What is Touch Portal?

Touch Portal is a versatile app that transforms your tablet or smartphone into a customizable macro keyboard or stream controller.

With Touch Portal, you can create custom buttons and assign various actions or shortcuts related to live streaming, multimedia control, and other computer applications.

The app is designed to work with a wide range of software but is most probably used for OBS by streamers.

Setting up Touch Portal

To set up Touch Portal, follow these steps:

  1. Download the Touch Portal app:

    Visit the App Store (for iOS devices) or the Google Play Store (for Android devices) and search for “Touch Portal.”

    Download and install the app on your tablet or smartphone.
  2. Install the Touch Portal Desktop software on your computer:

    Go to the Touch Portal website (https://www.touch-portal.com) and navigate to the “Downloads” section.

    Download the Touch Portal Desktop software for your operating system (Windows or macOS) and install it on your computer.
  3. Connect your device and computer to the same Wi-Fi network:

    Ensure that both your tablet or smartphone and your computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

    This connection is necessary for the Touch Portal app and the Touch Portal Desktop software to communicate with each other.
  4. Launch the Touch Portal app on your device:

    Open the Touch Portal app on your tablet or smartphone.

    It will display a connection screen, showing the available Touch Portal Desktop instances running on your Wi-Fi network.
  5. Launch the Touch Portal Desktop software on your computer:

    Open the Touch Portal Desktop software on your computer.

    It should detect your device running the Touch Portal app on the same Wi-Fi network.
  6. Pair your device with the Touch Portal Desktop software:

    On your device’s connection screen, tap the instance of your computer running the Touch Portal Desktop software.

    Your device will be paired, and you should see the main Touch Portal interface with the default buttons and pages.
  7. Customize your buttons, actions, and pages:

    In the Touch Portal Desktop software on your computer, you can customize your virtual buttons by assigning various actions or shortcuts to them.

    To do this, click a button and select an action from the categories listed on the right.

    You can also create custom pages for different software or use cases, and customize button layouts, sizes, and icons for easy identification and organization.
  8. Save and sync your settings:

    Once you’ve finished customizing your buttons and actions, click “Save” in the Touch Portal Desktop software.

    Your settings will be synced with the Touch Portal app on your device, and you can start using your new virtual macro keyboard or stream controller.

Benefits and limitations

Benefits:

  • Highly customizable with a vast array of supported applications
  • Free version available with basic functionality

Limitations:

  • Pro version required for advanced features
  • Slightly steeper learning curve compared to Stream Deck Mobile

Is Touch Portal free?

Yes, Touch Portal offers a free version with basic functionality. The free version allows you to create up to two pages, each containing a limited number of buttons. This enables you to test the app and get familiar with its features and capabilities without any initial investment.

However, if you require advanced features and more extensive customization options, Touch Portal also offers a Pro version. The Pro version unlocks unlimited pages, buttons, and actions, as well as additional customization options and access to a growing library of plugins and integrations. The Pro version requires a one-time payment to upgrade from the free version.

Transforming your tablet or phone into a stream deck is a cost-effective and practical solution for content creators and streamers. Both Stream Deck Mobile and Touch Portal offer unique features and benefits, making them worthy contenders.

My name is Peter and I've been a streamer on both Twitch and Youtube for a number of years.
Mostly streaming Fifa or FPS games, I've learned as much as I can about improving my streaming setup to give me the best possible output for my audience.
During the day I work as a digital marketer helping businesses improve their presence and grow an audience which helps me in streaming to do the same.