DeviceFarm Control — browser-based Android and iOS management

DeviceFarm Control was built around a practical requirement: bring Android devices and iPhones into one protected browser workspace. Instead of switching between several desktop tools, operators can see device health, screens, commands, accounts and reports in one place.

The brief

A mobile device fleet becomes difficult to manage when every phone is handled separately. The system needed to show live availability, support work across multiple devices, retain a reliable action history and keep the browser isolated from ADB, streaming processes and physical hardware.

What we delivered

• a shared Android and iOS dashboard with statuses, groups and quick selection;
• live H.264 streaming for Android, plus a bandwidth-conscious still-frame mode;
• browser controls for taps, swipes, text entry, Home, Back, apps, volume and power;
• app and file operations, ADB Shell, reusable automation workflows and scheduled runs;
• registries for platform accounts, advertising accounts and proxy profiles;
• reports covering devices, commands, automation runs and operator activity.

Architecture and security

The control plane runs on PHP and MySQL, while real-time screen delivery and device communication are separated into a Node.js service. Android connections use ADB and scrcpy. Every device command is queued, checked against the operator’s permissions and written to an audit trail. The administration layer includes role-based access, CSRF protection, two-factor authentication and rate limiting.

The outcome

The result is a working platform for day-to-day operation of a mobile device lab. Teams can enrol phones, check availability, control Android devices remotely, organise repeatable tasks and review what happened afterwards. iOS devices are part of the same inventory and screen-preview workflow, with a separate integration path that respects the platform’s technical boundaries.