Forgot your clicker, battery dead, or you’d simply rather not stay glued to your laptop? Then use your phone. With the Prezi Viewer app, you control your Prezi from your smartphone and move freely around the room.
What you need
- The Prezi desktop app for Windows or Mac on the computer running the presentation. The remote doesn’t work in the browser.
- The Prezi Viewer app on your phone or tablet, for iOS and Android.
- The same Prezi account on both devices.
- A Prezi plan at the Plus level or higher.
- Bluetooth on both devices, version 5 or newer according to Prezi. You don’t need Wi-Fi.
- A synced presentation. If you made changes shortly before, sync the Prezi on both devices.
How to control your Prezi from your phone
On your computer
- Open the Prezi desktop app and find your presentation in the dashboard.
- Open the detailed view via the three-dot menu on the thumbnail and click Prezi Remote. The presentation opens in a separate window.
- Click Connect in the pop-up.
On your phone
- Open Prezi Viewer and find the same presentation in the dashboard.
- Open the detailed view and tap the Start remote icon.
- Once connected, arrow buttons appear. You’re ready to go.
The labels may differ slightly depending on the language and version of the app.
How to use the remote
- Forward and back: tap the right and left arrow buttons. In landscape mode, a tap on the right or left edge of the screen does the job.
- Jump straight to a topic: double-tap a topic on the canvas and the presentation jumps there. That’s handy when a question comes from the audience.
- Disconnect: tap Disconnect on your phone, or click the remote icon in the navigation bar of the desktop app.
If it doesn’t work
- No connection: check that Bluetooth is switched on for both devices and that they meet the requirements.
- A message saying the presentations don’t match: make sure you’ve opened exactly the same Prezi on both devices and sync it.
- Prezi is running in the browser: switch to the desktop app. The remote only works there.
Our tip: test the connection before your presentation, in the room where you’ll present. And keep a regular clicker or the keyboard ready just in case.
Why the remote is worth it
Standing freely in the room comes across as more confident than hiding behind the laptop. You keep eye contact, can move towards your audience and respond to questions directly. In Prezi, that’s a real advantage: a double-tap takes you to the right topic and back to the overview. That turns your presentation into a conversation.
Our page What is Prezi? explains what makes Prezi different. And if you’d rather not build your next Prezi yourself, we’ll design it for you.
Conclusion
With Prezi Viewer and the desktop app, your phone becomes a remote in just a few steps, via Bluetooth and without Wi-Fi. You need a plan at the Plus level or higher and the same account on both devices. Test the connection beforehand, and you’ll be free to move around the room while you present.
Frequently asked questions
Can I control a Prezi from my phone?
Yes. With the Prezi Viewer app for iOS and Android, your phone or tablet becomes a remote. The presentation runs in the Prezi desktop app on your computer, and both devices connect via Bluetooth.
Which plan do I need for Prezi Remote?
According to Prezi, the remote works with plans at the Plus level or higher. You need to be signed in to the same Prezi account on your computer and your phone.
Do I need Wi-Fi to use Prezi Remote?
No. Your phone and computer connect via Bluetooth. Both devices need Bluetooth 5 or newer.
Does the remote work in the browser?
No. The remote works with the Prezi desktop app for Windows and Mac, not with a Prezi running in the browser.
Can I use a regular presentation clicker instead?
Yes. A standard clicker with a USB receiver works with Prezi just like with any other presentation, because it mimics the arrow keys. The advantage of your phone is that you can jump straight to individual topics.
