Sync Control
How to use Sync Control
A step-by-step guide to setting up synchronized control of multiple virtual devices on xCloudPhone — from adding devices to the grid and selecting them, to sending simultaneous input, managing groups, and handling issues.
5 min read
Sync Control lets you control many virtual devices with a single action. This guide walks you from zero to a smoothly running sync session — including how to recover from issues mid-session.
If you're not sure what Sync Control is yet, start here: What is Sync Control?
Before you start
You'll need:
- At least 2 virtual devices currently running. Stopped/paused devices won't appear in the add-device list.
- A stable network connection — actions are streamed in real time.
- Devices that share the same resolution, so click coordinates align correctly.
Step-by-step
Step 1 — Open the Sync Control page
In your dashboard, open Sync Control from the menu (app.xcloudphone.com/dashboard/sync-control). You'll see an empty device grid — ready for you to add devices.
Step 2 — Add devices to the grid
Click Add Device in the Control Panel on the left.
- A dialog shows the list of your running devices.
- Select the devices you want to control together.
- Confirm — the devices appear in the grid immediately.
You can add more devices at any time, even mid-session.
use Groups to instantly select a pre-labelled set of devices — no need to tick each one.
Step 3 — Select which devices receive input
Only selected (checked) devices receive commands from the Control Panel.
Ways to select:
- Click a device's number button — select that one device.
- Ctrl/Cmd + Click — toggle individual devices on/off.
- Drag across the grid — select a rectangular region of devices.
- Ctrl/Cmd + A — select every device in the grid.
- Select by Group — tick a group name in the Control Panel to select all devices in that group at once.
Step 4 — Operate through the Control Panel
With your selection made, operate as normal: type, click, or move your mouse on any device screen in the grid. Every selected device receives the exact same input simultaneously.
Try something simple first — opening an app, for example — to confirm every device is responding correctly.
Managing during a session
Add or remove devices
You can add or remove devices at any time:
- Add a new device: click Add Device → select a device → it's merged into the grid immediately.
- Remove a device: right-click the device card → context menu → Remove; or select it and use the remove button in the Control Panel. Removed devices are not shut down — they keep running normally.
Change which devices are selected
You can select or deselect devices at any point during a session. A deselected device stops receiving input immediately — the remaining selected devices continue unaffected.
Groups — quick selection by label
A Group is a label assigned to devices — for example "FB-Group-A" or "TikTok-US". Each device can belong to one group. In the Control Panel, you can select an entire group with a single click instead of ticking each device.
To manage groups (create, rename, delete): click the ⚙ settings icon next to the Groups section in the Control Panel.
Group by purpose ("FB-Group-A", "TikTok-US-Batch-1") rather than by date — it'll be far more intuitive when you come back to it.
Display options
The Control Panel offers several display settings:
- Small / large scale — adjust the size of each device viewer in the grid.
- Show/hide device name, note, action buttons, and share button on each card.
- Rotate — rotate the screen orientation for all devices at once.
- Show hidden — restore any devices that are currently hidden in the grid.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
ESC | Deselect all devices |
Ctrl/Cmd + A | Select all devices |
Backspace / Del | Remove selected devices |
Ctrl/Cmd + Click | Toggle individual device selection |
| Right-click | Open device context menu |
Stopping synchronized control
There is no dedicated "Stop Sync" button. To stop:
- Deselect all devices (
ESCor untick) — no device receives input, but they remain in the grid. - Remove devices from the grid — they leave Sync Control but are not shut down.
- Leave the page — exit Sync Control entirely; all devices keep running as normal.
Common issues
One device isn't receiving actions
- Check that the device is currently selected (ticked).
- Check its connection status — a disconnected device appears greyed out.
- Right-click the device → Reconnect to re-establish the connection.
- If that doesn't help: remove the device from the grid and add it back.
Click coordinates are off between devices
- Most common cause: different resolutions. Standardize device configs before adding to the grid.
- Or one device has a popup/overlay covering the screen — close it and continue.
Noticeable input lag
- Network is weak or congested. Try with fewer devices to confirm.
- Avoid typing or clicking too fast when controlling a large number of devices simultaneously.
Important warning: if a device hits a checkpoint (verification, OTP, captcha…) mid-session, deselect it immediately. If you continue operating, the checkpointed device will still receive your input — but it's stuck on a verification screen, so you'll unintentionally be sending input there and potentially making things worse. Resolve that device first, then re-select it.
Tips for getting the most out of it
- Split groups by purpose — separating "FB-Like", "TikTok-Follow", and "Test-App" makes management far easier than one giant group.
- Start small, scale up — run 3-5 devices first until you're confident, then grow.
- Keep an eye on the grid — glance at the device thumbnails occasionally to catch checkpoints or errors early.
- Deselect when stepping away — don't leave a large selection active while you're not at your desk; accidental input affects all selected devices at once.