rex2lex

I'm a desktop engineer, computer geek, and car lover. When I got my 2015 IS350 I was disappointed that there wasn't a windows phone version of the Enform Remote app. I needed remote start so I decided to figure out how to get the app to work on a windows phone. Below is how it's done, and it works great. Been using the app with a windows phone for a few months now. Hope this helps others.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any adverse effects on your computer and/or phone that may arise from setting this up and using it. Install, setup, and use at your own risk.

Requirements: Windows XP Pro thru Windows 8.1 Pro computer or a Surface Pro Tablet. Minimum 2GB of memory. Windows Phone 8 or above. (tested on a Lumia 1520 with Windows Phone 8.1 and the Denim update) Note: Home versions of Windows do not have the ability to accept Remote Desktop connections, you need a Pro version of Windows to be able to accept remote desktop connections.

Skill Level Required: Intermediate to Advanced. Knowledge of Windows and Router settings.

1) Download & install: Blue Stacks Android Emulator App Player. www.bluestacks.com
If you have a second computer or a Microsoft Surface tablet you might want to install it on that instead of your main computer. Once installed, sign in with a Google account and go thru the setup process. If you don’t have a Google account, ask a friend or family member if you can sign in with theirs or create your own account. Once you’re setup and signed in you’ll be in the Google Play store. Search for and install: Lexus Enform Remote. Launch the app, sign in with your Lexus Drivers account or set one up, and go thru the setup process. Once setup, test it out to make sure it’s working. If it works, you can then close out of the Enform Remote app and then close out of the Android emulator. Use the back arrow and X in the emulator located at the bottom. Once it’s closed you should now be at your desktop. You should see an Apps shortcut. Open that up and you should see the Lexus Enform Remote App listed in there. Copy that shortcut to your desktop or in Windows 8 to the start screen. You should now be able to launch the Android emulator and the Lexus Enform Remote app in one step by using this shortcut.

2) Enable Remote Desktop:
Windows XP Pro
http://www.ehow.com/how_5863018_enab...indows-xp.html
Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 (Pro or above)
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...windows-vista/
Surface Pro Tablet
http://www.surfacetablethelp.com/201...windows-8.html

3) Change the Remote Desktop Listening Port (optional):
For increased security you can change the default port that Remote Desktop listens on for incoming connections. (all windows versions) You can essentially set the port to anything between 1 & 65535, as long as it’s not being used already. Typically 1-1024 are being used, so pick something really high.
http://www.surfacetablethelp.com/201...ning-port.html

4) Setup “Port Forwarding” in your wireless router.
http://www.surfacetablethelp.com/201...e-desktop.html
The article says it for Windows 8, but it’s the same ports for all versions of Windows. Depending on your router setting up port forwarding may not be exactly the way it’s explained in the article, but essentially it’s the same process. In my router, port forwarding is under the advanced settings. Once you log into your router and find the port forwarding settings, like the article says, add a custom service for TCP & UDP, use the default port of 3389 or if you changed the listening port in step 3 above then use that port number, and have it forward to the IP address, assigned by your router, of the computer that you’re trying to remote into. Once setup, save your settings and log out of your router. Consult your router manual if needed.

5) Setup a strong password on the computer you’re remoting into: (optional)
Always password protect your user account on your computer, but for added security use a password that’s 12 or more characters long using capital letters, lower case letters, numbers, and/or special characters.

6) Open the Windows Firewall Port to allow the Remote Desktop connection:
Windows 7 & 8
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/block-...ows-8-firewall
Follow the article above and use the New Rule wizard. Use the default port or the one you setup in step 3. Most likely you’re on a private network, especially if you have more than one computer connected to your wifi router and share files or printers, so apply the rule to private network only. If you only have one computer consider changing your network to a public network which disables all printer and file sharing making your computer more secure.
Windows Vista
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...#1TC=windows-7
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308127

7) Download and install: “Microsoft Remote Desktop Preview” from the Windows Phone App store.

8) Setup “Microsoft Remote Desktop Preview”:
Open the app, make sure you’re on the desktops screen, tap the + button, choose desktop, on the general screen enter in the IP address of your computer that is assigned by your router that you want to remote into. Under credentials choose the option that suits you the best, either enter each time or add credentials. If you choose add, type in the user name and password of the computer you’re connecting to, click the save button. Name your connection.

9) Make sure your cell phone is on 3G or LTE, tap on the Remote Desktop connection you just setup, it should connect to the computer, enter user name and password if needed, it should log you in. Once logged in, tap the Lexus Enform Remote shortcut you setup in step one. The android emulator should launch, then the Lexus Enform Remote app should launch. If you logged out of the Lexus app in step one log in with your account, enter your pin number, you should now be in. Use any of the functions available. I use remote start and vehicle status every day. The only feature I couldn’t get to work is the vehicle finder.

Enjoy the Lexus Enform App on your Windows Phone.
Any questions……. Just ask.