A phone farm (also called a device lab or phone rack) is a set of real Android phones connected to one computer so they can be monitored and controlled together. Teams use them for app testing, running the same workflow on many devices, and managing fleets of business phones. Getting the physical setup right (power, USB, heat and cabling) is what separates a rack that runs for months from one that drops devices every hour. This guide covers the hardware and the setup, step by step.
Hardware checklist
| Component | What to get | Why |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Modern 6–8 core CPU, 16–32 GB RAM, SSD, several USB 3.0 ports | Mirroring many screens is CPU-heavy; more USB controllers mean more stable connections |
| USB hubs | Powered 7–10 port hubs with a strong power adapter (check total watts) | Phones charge and transfer data at once; underpowered hubs cause disconnects |
| Cables | 0.3–1 m data cables, same brand, labelled | Long or charge-only cables are the #1 cause of "device not found" |
| Rack or shelf | Open shelving or a phone stand with space between devices | Airflow keeps batteries and CPUs cool |
| Power | Surge-protected power strip; spread load over circuits | Dozens of chargers add up quickly |
| Cooling | A fan across the rack, cool room | Heat throttles phones and ages batteries |
| Phones | Android 8+; ideally identical models | Same screens and menus make setup and automation repeatable |
Power and USB: get this right first
- Budget power per hub. A phone can draw 5–10 W while charging and working. A 10-port hub serving 10 phones needs a power supply in the 60 W+ range; cheap hubs with small adapters will brown out.
- Spread hubs across USB controllers. Plug hubs into different ports on the PC (rear ports usually sit on different controllers) instead of chaining hubs off one port.
- Avoid long daisy chains. One hub per PC port is the most stable layout.
- Label everything. Number each phone, cable and hub port, and write down which serial number is in which slot.
Prepare each phone
- Update Android and remove apps you don't need.
- Enable Developer options (tap Build number 7 times) and turn on USB debugging. On Xiaomi, also enable USB debugging (Security settings) and Install via USB.
- Turn on Stay awake (screen stays on while charging), or control the screen from your software.
- Turn off auto-updates and set a fixed screen timeout to avoid surprise pop-ups.
- Turn on battery protection / charge limit if the phone has it (often 80–85%), to reduce battery wear from being plugged in all day.
- Connect to the PC and accept the USB debugging prompt with Always allow.
Check every phone shows up as device in adb devices. Full steps are in How to control multiple Android phones from one PC.
Software to run the farm
- Free: scrcpy for one window per phone, plus ADB scripts for bulk installs, files and commands.
- Dedicated software: a screen wall of every phone, one-to-many control, groups, no-code workflows, scheduling, mass APK install and device health monitoring in one app. That's what RovaFlow is built for.
Keep it running
- Check batteries monthly. A phone that no longer lies flat may have a swollen battery: unplug it and replace the battery immediately, as swollen lithium batteries are a fire risk.
- Watch temperatures. Phones that run hot throttle and disconnect more. Add airflow before adding phones.
- Reboot on a schedule (for example weekly) to clear memory leaks:
adb -s SERIAL reboot. - Keep spares: a couple of cables, a hub and a phone ready to swap in.
- Follow each platform's rules. Only run accounts and actions you're allowed to, and respect the terms of the apps and services you use.
Scaling from 10 to 100 phones
| Size | Typical layout |
|---|---|
| 5–10 phones | One PC, 1–2 powered hubs, a desk stand |
| 10–30 phones | One strong PC, 3–4 hubs on separate USB controllers, shelving, a fan |
| 30–100+ phones | Rack shelving, hubs spread over add-in USB cards, dedicated power circuit, active cooling; consider splitting across 2+ PCs |
Run the whole rack from one screen
RovaFlow gives you a live screen wall, one-to-many control, groups, no-code workflows, scheduling and device health for real Android phones on Windows. One-time price, free installation, 24/7 support.
See RovaFlow pricingFAQ
What do I need to set up a phone farm?
Android phones, a Windows PC, powered USB hubs, short data cables, a rack or shelf with airflow, a power strip with surge protection, ADB platform-tools, and software to mirror and control the phones.
How many phones can one USB hub handle?
A good powered 7- to 10-port hub can handle one phone per port, as long as its power supply provides enough current for all of them charging at once. Check the hub's total wattage, not just the port count.
Should phones stay plugged in 24/7?
They can, but constant 100% charge and heat age batteries faster. Use the phone's battery protection or charge limit setting where available (often around 80-85%), keep the room cool, and check regularly for swollen batteries.
Do I need the same phone model for every device?
No, but identical models make setup and automation much easier, because screen sizes, settings menus and tap coordinates are the same on every device.