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How to configure Dell Mobile Connect for iOS 10 phones

Summary: This article provides guidance on how to configure a Dell system and iOS 10 phone for Dell Mobile Connect (DMC)

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content


Symptoms

Note:

Dell Mobile Connect and Alienware Mobile Connect will no longer be available for download and will be discontinued soon. Please reference the table below for key regional dates.

Country App Unavailable for Download App Discontinued
United States, Canada, Japan  November 30, 2022  January 31, 2023 
All Other Countries  July 31, 2022  November 30, 2022 
 

To all dedicated users of Dell Mobile Connect and Alienware Mobile Connect, we thank you for your support over the years. Visit Dell KB article, “Dell Mobile Connect and Alienware Mobile Connect End of Service Announcement” for additional information.


Table of Contents:

  1. DMC Overview
  2. DMC connectivity architecture
    • Bluetooth (BT) link
  3. Main DMC functions
    • Add New Phone (ANP)
      • The DMC iPhone app
    • Launching and quitting DMC Windows app
      • DMC auto-run
      • Quitting DMC
      • Launching DMC
    • Texting with DMC
      • Receiving text messages
      • Sending text messages
    • Hands-Free calling
  4. DMC states
    • Paired state
    • Connected state
    • Disconnected state
  5. DMC Windows App
    • DMC Windows app tabs
      • Notifications
      • Dialer
      • Contacts
      • Messages
    • DMC Windows app functions
  6. DMC Troubleshooting
    • First-time setup
    • Hands-Free calling
    • Notifications
    • Keyboard
  7. DMC Frequently Asked Questions

DMC Overview

DMC (Dell Mobile Connect) is a software solution that enables users to connect their PC with their smartphone, creating one integrated experience. This provides the ability to work on a PC, while also answering calls, sending text messages, and viewing various phone notifications. Phone actions are performed easily by using the PC’s keyboard, mouse, and touch-screen, in addition to a high-quality microphone and speakers.

The solution consists of a PC-side app (Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app that is preinstalled on new Dell PCs), and an iPhone-side app that the user is requested to download from the App Store as part of the initial setup process. The functionality and necessity of the iPhone app is discussed later in this document. Once the PC and the phone are paired and connected for the first time, the full functionality of the solution is available and ready to be used.

DMC (iOS 10 version) provides the following key features:

  • Sending and receiving text messages
  • Receiving and making phone calls
NOTE: The main difference in functionality between the iOS version and the Android version is the mirroring feature that is unavailable in the iOS version.
NOTE: If you own an Android phone, follow the instructions contained in the Android-specific DMC article: How to configure Dell Mobile Connect for Android  


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DMC connectivity architecture

DMC consists of three software packages:

  1.  Windows drivers which should be pre-installed on the PC and will be updated automatically through Dell Update (and can be downloaded from there as well)
  2.  Windows app which should be pre-installed on the PC and can be updated via the MS app store
  3.  iOS app which should be downloaded from the iOS market or other Apple app stores

 

Bluetooth (BT) link

After completing the Add a New Phone setup (see next section), the phone will be BT-paired with the PC.

The BT link enables the following functions:

  • Contacts: The phone book is retrieved from your phone and displayed on the PC
  • SMS: Text messages are received and sent via the BT link
  • Hands-free calling: Phone calls are routed to the PC via the BT link
  • Keyboards channel: The phone is mirrored onto the PC screen, and DMC enables interaction with the phone using the keyboard, mouse, and touch. These input commands are transmitted through the BT link

Fig. 1: DMC BT functions
SLN307657_en_US__1DMC iOS 1

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Main DMC functions

Add New Phone (ANP)

The Add New Phone (ANP) wizard enables easy BT pairing between the phone and the PC, without requiring the user to open the BT Setting screen on the PC side.

To pair the iPhone with the PC, follow the steps below:
  1. Select iPhone on your APN wizard (See Fig. 2)

    SLN307657_en_US__2DMC iOS 2
     
  2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone and verify that Bluetooth is turned on (See Figs. 3,4)

    SLN307657_en_US__3DMC iOS 3
 
  • The phone’s Bluetooth name should be displayed on the PC app screen. Click Select to continue.
 
  • Approve pairing on both the phone app and the PC app (See Figs. 5, 6)

    SLN307657_en_US__4DMC iOS 4
 
  • The PC app will now instruct you to turn on the Show notification feature (See Figs. 7, 8, 9).

    SLN307657_en_US__5DMC iOS 5
 

The DMC iPhone app

The DMC iPhone app has a single purpose, which is to enable outgoing SMS messages from the PC via DMC. Users do not need the app to use hands-free calling, or to receive SMS messages.

NOTE: To send SMS text messages from your PC the iPhone DMC app must run in the foreground, and should therefore be visible on the iPhone screen.
  • To allow notifications to be displayed, click the Information icon located to the right of your computer name (See Fig. 8), and then switch on the Show Notifications button (See Fig. 9).

    SLN307657_en_US__7DMC iOS 7

To ensure that the app is running in the foreground, the DMC iPhone app has an Unlock feature that prevents the phone from getting locked (See Fig. 10).
 
NOTE: When the phone is in Unlocked mode, the screen is dimmed to conserve battery power.

SLN307657_en_US__8DMC iOS 8

 

NOTE:
  • The ANP process is required only once for every PC and phone. When the ANP process is completed, DMC will connect the phone and the PC automatically, as long as they are in the BT range.
  • If a phone and a PC were previously paired, the ANP wizard will still need to be run, but will require fewer steps.

Launching and quitting DMC Windows app

  • DMC auto-run

    The DMC Windows app is configured to launch automatically upon PC startup. If the phone is paired to the PC and within BT range DMC will connect the two, unless the user has manually disconnected the two. There is no need to run the iPhone app or the Windows app to get the system to work.

    It is possible to prevent DMC from auto-running upon PC startup via Settings > Startup in the Windows app
 
  • Quitting DMC

    To quit DMC the user should go to the Information Center, right-click on the DMC icon, and select Quit (See Fig. 11).

    SLN307657_en_US__9DMC iOS 9
  • Launching DMC

    DMC can be launched in one of two ways:
     
    1. Via the Windows start menu
    2. By clicking the desktop icon (if exists)
NOTE: Closing the DMC app window by clicking the "x" button does not quit the DMC app. The app continues to run in the background. Users can quit the app via the Information center

 

Texting with DMC

With DMC, users can view incoming text messages on their PC screen, and use their PC keyboard to easily type text messages.

NOTE: For SMS sending to be active, the DMC iPhone app needs to be in the foreground, visible on the iPhone’s screen.
  • Receiving text messages

    DMC shows incoming text messages in two scenarios:
     
    • As a Popup notification
    • On the DMC App when clicking on the Messages tab.
 
  • Sending text messages

    Users can type using the PC keyboard and send text messages in the following 3 scenarios:
     
    • Responding to an incoming text notification
    • Texting while rejecting a call, or a when call waiting is activated
    • By proactively selecting Texting in the Contacts tab.

 

Hands-Free calling

The Hands-Free feature enables users to make and receive phone calls from their PC. The call is routed from the phone in the same way as with BT headsets. Calls are made using the PC’s microphone and speakers, while the phone can be placed at some distance from the PC, but within BT range

  • Hand-free calling includes the following features:
    • Dialer
    • Making calls via the contacts list
    • Answering calls from an on-screen notification (users can take the call, reject it, or reject with a text)
    • Switching between Hands-Free and regular (private) mode (See Fig. 12)

      SLN307657_en_US__10DMC iOS 10

 

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DMC states

The main states of DMC are: Paired, Connected, and Disconnected.

Paired state

After the ANP wizard is completed, the phone and the PC are BT-paired. Paring is a one-time procedure, which essentially ‘introduces’ the PC and the phone to enable potential future connectivity.

  • The phone and the PC remain BT-paired even in the following scenarios:
    • The phone and PC are not connected, e.g., if the user chooses to manually disconnect
    • The phone and the PC are not within BT range
    • The DMC app is not running

Connected state

DMC is in a Connected state when the BT link between the PC and the phone is active.

  • DMC is in a Connected state when the BT link between the PC and the phone is active. To be in a Connected state, all the following conditions must be met:
    • The phone and the PC are BT-paired
    • The phone and the PC are within BT range
    • The DMC app is running

Disconnected state

  • DMC can be disconnected in the following ways:
    • From the iOS app or iOS notification (See Fig. 8, 9)
    • From the PC App pane by clicking Disconnect (See Fig. 10)
    • By right-clicking the DMC icon on the Information Center, and selecting Disconnect (See Fig 11)
    • From Settings > phones (See Fig. 12)
SLN307657_en_US__11DMC iOS 11

SLN307657_en_US__12DMC iOS 12

SLN307657_en_US__13DMC iOS 13

 
NOTE: After the phone and PC have been disconnected by the user, they will not be reconnected automatically again. To reconnect, users must go to Setting > Phones in the Windows app.

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DMC Windows App

The DMC Windows app provides the following functionality using several tabs located along with the left panel of the screen:

  • DMC Windows app tabs

    Tab Icon Function Action Prompt
    SLN307657_en_US__14DMC iOS 14 Notifications Opens a screen with a list of the pending phone notifications. The dynamic numbering represents the number of notifications that are waiting to be read.
    SLN307657_en_US__15DMC iOS 15 Dialer Opens a dialer screen that allows insertion of a phone number to be dialed, either through the numbered buttons on the screen (using touch or mouse) or through the PC’s keyboard.
    SLN307657_en_US__16DMC iOS 16 Contacts Opens the phone’s contacts list and allows a contact search. Once a contact is found, the relevant details are presented (including photo when available) and the user is given the option to call or send an SMS message to that contact.
    SLN307657_en_US__17DMC iOS 17 Messages Opens the SMS messaging screen and presents the logged text conversations. A click on a certain conversation opens that conversation and makes it ready for a new text entry.
 
  • DMC Windows app functions

    Tab Icon Function Action Prompt
    SLN307657_en_US__18DMC iOS 18 Settings Opens the settings screen in a separate window to allow the user to modify different app settings and behaviors
    SLN307657_en_US__19DMC iOS 19 Disconnect Disconnects the phone from the PC and terminates the current session. The devices will still be paired and can be connected again with another click on the same icon.
    SLN307657_en_US__20DMC iOS 20 Do not disturb Blocks popup phone notifications from being presented on the PC screen.
    SLN307657_en_US__21DMC iOS 21 Connect PC keyboard to iPhone Make the PC’s keyboard your iPhone keyboard.

 

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DMC Troubleshooting

First-time setup

  • Problem: Cannot pair the phone to the PC
    Probable cause: Failure of BT pairing
    Suggested fix:
    1. Make sure BT is turned on both on the PC and the phone [if either wasn’t on – try pairing again after turning BT on]
    2. [If didn’t help] Go to BT settings on the PC (search for Bluetooth setting), then locate the phone on the paired devices list.
    3. Click the phone name.
    4. Select Remove Device to unpair it
    5. Go to BT settings on the phone, and locate the PC name in the paired or connected list.
    6. Click the PC name and select Unpair.
    7. Select Add New Phone from the Windows app Settings > Phones
     

Hands-Free calling

  • Problem: Poor audio quality
    Probable cause: Poor BT connection
    Suggested fix: Bring the phone closer to the PC. If this does not work, restart the Windows app.
 
  • Problem: When using BT headset, no call audio is routed to the PC or the headset
    Probable cause: BT cannot support concurrent connections
    Suggested fix: If the headset includes a connecting USB dongle – connect the dongle to the PC and enjoy the ability to use the BT headset with DMC. If no USB dongle is included there is no current support for the BT headset that is connected directly to the PC through the BT settings (BT limitation).
     

Notifications

  • Problem: Cannot see notifications
    Probable cause: Notifications were not granted permissions
    Suggested fix:
    1. Open Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone
    2. Select the SLN307657_en_US__6DMC iOS 6 icon near your computer name and chose Show Notifications (see fig 8 and 9)

Keyboard

  • Problem: I cannot use the iPhone’s software keyboard
    Probable cause: The PC’s keyboard is set as an external Keyboard
    Suggested fix: Click on the SLN307657_en_US__6DMC iOS 6 icon on the Windows app pane

 

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DMC Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Question: During an Incoming call, as I'm about to enter a pre-existing text message, the incoming call no longer exists.
    Answer: There is a bug that exists in the software where the "Texting" screen will still exist even after the incoming call is terminated. This bug will be resolved in the RoW release (January 2018).
     
  2. Question: While using the camera on my phone and performing an orientation, the display will appear distorted. Is there a resolution to this issue?
    Answer: Stop the beaming process and then restart the beaming. This should resolve the issue.
 
  • Question: Is the User Interface for the Driver Installer activity available in the native language when SUT language setting of HK and Ukrainian?
    Answer: InstallShield defaults to ENGISH if the language in question is not supported. This is normal behavior.
 
  • Question: Why can’t I send or receive an SMS message from my computer when paired with a phone OPPO R9S?
    Answer: OPPO does not allow sending SMS messages through Bluetooth regardless of the version of Android on the phone.
 
  • Question: While in the system language is set to Turkish, when setting the "Do Not Disturb" feature on SUT the selection for "on" and "off" is in English instead of Turkish üzerinde and kapalı .
    Answer: This is an error in the translator software utilized by the developer. This error will be corrected in the next software release after 1.1 .
 
  • Question: When the system language is set to Spanish, when setting the "Do Not Disturb" is displayed for altering, the message to set is incomplete.
    Answer: While the message is incomplete, a fix has been identified and developed for resolving the issue. Solution will be implemented in the next software release.
     
  • Question: When selecting Emoji for a message, I experience one of the following errors:
    • Some Emoji’s not properly showing up
    • When you input a lot of Emoji (more than two lines) in SMS conversation screen, the edit box will not automatically follow the input cursor
    • Some Emoji of PC app cannot show normally in the SMS edit box and phone
    • Emoji cannot show normally in the detail of SMS conversion with LG phone
    • Some Emoji cannot show in the Phone but can display on the PC app
    • When you click two emoji continuously after opening the emoji pane, the emoji pane will disappear
    • Emoji lost when reopening the SMS which has been sent
    • Emoji message will show incorrect when repeat click on "national flag" button
    Answer: None of these proprietary 3rd party software errors will be corrected as Dell does not have access to the code.
 
  • Question: As a user, sometimes Bluetooth will loss the Device Manager after changing the OS language.
    Answer: Updating the Bluetooth driver to the latest revision will resolve the issue
 
  • Question: As a user, is there a solution if notifications do not appear on my PC app which originated form my phone?
    Answer: For Vivo phones, during the paring procedure the current version should pop up a Vivo hidden permission window which he user should grant permission to receive notifications. For all other phones, uninstall the app, re-install the app and then reboot the phone. 
 
  • Question: Sometimes the third party push information to the notification center is incomplete.
    Answer: This issue has been detected with those phones that are utilizing Specific (Chinese) applications that are using a custom view for displaying notifications. This issue will be resolved in a future release.
 
  • Question: Sometimes my cursor / mouse will not work on the beaming window on my PC when I pair my Smart Phone t my PC with DMC.
    Answer: Certain security packages on smart phones can cause this issue. If the user will un-pair all devices, wait 3 minutes and then repair, the mouse/cursor functionality should be restored.
   
  • Question: The picture for the phone contact in the SMS is not displayed on the PC.
    Answer: This is normal functionality for DMC. DMC does not attempt to associate the SMS picture with a particular text or phone call.
 

 

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  • Question: How do I remove the "Bluetooth HID Device" yellow bang when Dell Mobile Connect is connected to a smartphone via DMC and then connect to a second PC via Bluetooth?
    Answer: Go to the PC settings, remove the second PC Bluetooth from the SUT. Then the "Bluetooth HID device" yellow bang will disappear from Dell Mobile Connect.

Cause

Troubleshooting provided in the event of failure.

Resolution

Troubleshooting provided in the event of failure.

Additional Information


Out of Warranty support Out of warranty? No problem. Browse to the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.

NOTE: Offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and China personal computer customers. Server and Storage not applicable.

Article Properties


Affected Product

Desktops & All-in-Ones, Laptops, Tablets, Dell Mobile Connect

Last Published Date

12 May 2022

Version

8

Article Type

Solution