# TCPUART transparent Bridge

> TCP <-> UART (USB adapter) transparent bridge

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.hardcodedjoy.tcpuart](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.hardcodedjoy.tcpuart)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.hardcodedjoy.tcpuart`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** HARDCODED JOY S.R.L.
- **Category:** TOOLS
- **Downloads:** 15,323
- **Rating:** 4.67 / 5 (98 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.3.5
- **Last updated:** 2023-09-07
- **First published:** 2019-04-18
- **Publisher country:** RO
- **Size:** 314 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-12
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hardcodedjoy.tcpuart)
- **Website:** [https://www.hardcodedjoy.com/](https://www.hardcodedjoy.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://www.hardcodedjoy.com/app-privacy-policy?id=com.hardcodedjoy.tcpuart](https://www.hardcodedjoy.com/app-privacy-policy?id=com.hardcodedjoy.tcpuart)

## Description

TCPUART Transparent Bridge is a versatile Chrome extension that enables seamless data transmission between UART (Serial) USB adapters and TCP sockets. Ideal for developers and hobbyists, it supports a wide range of embedded boards and chips including Arduino, ESP8266, ESP32, NodeMCU, STM32 Nucleo-64, FTDI, and CDC ACM devices.

With this tool, you can easily connect your Arduino or other supported boards to your phone using a USB OTG cable and send or receive data via TCP using network utilities like netcat on Linux. The extension requires your phone to support USB OTG and power the connected adapter, ensuring smooth and transparent bridging for various serial communication needs.

## Rankings

- #479,934 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`

## Review summary

Users appreciate the TCPUART transparent Bridge app as a functional and reliable TCP-to-serial bridge for various Android-compatible devices, including radio hotspots and embedded peripherals. It is praised for its unique capabilities and usefulness in diagnostics and network interfacing. However, multiple users report significant battery drain due to background operation, issues with IPv6 server support, and unintended server shutdowns after a few minutes. The app also lacks a simple exit option and automatic reconnection features. Despite these drawbacks, it remains a valuable tool for niche applications requiring USB serial bridging on Android.

### Pros

- Provides a handy and useful TCP socket bridge to USB serial devices on Android.
- Works well with various hardware like Proxmark3 and DMR radios for specialized applications.
- Enables access to embedded devices and peripherals via network functions like netcat or telnet.
- Supports use cases such as remote diagnostics, radio hotspot interfacing, and modem connections.
- Functions as advertised and is considered the only reliable app in its category by some users.

### Cons

- Consumes significant battery power when running in the background due to lack of an easy exit or stop option.
- Has issues with IPv6 support where it either does not work or is not recognized as a server.
- Automatically stops the server after a short time (around 5 minutes), which frustrates users and interrupts functionality.
- Needs improvements to better survive background operation without draining battery or being killed by the system.
- Lacks features like automatic reconnection upon disconnection which users desire for smoother usability.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [UART Terminal](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.hardcodedjoy.uartterminal) — 3,257 users
- [Bluetooth TCP Bridge](https://chrome-stats.com/d/masar.bb) — 17,446 users, 3.89 / 5
- [Uart Bridge](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.manichord.uartbridge) — 1,895 users
- [Communication Bridge Pro](https://chrome-stats.com/d/masar.bluetoothbridge.pro) — 3,311 users, 4.40 / 5
- [USB Serial Terminal](https://chrome-stats.com/d/project.usbserialterminal) — 26,877 users, 4.33 / 5
- [Usb Serial Port IoT Gateway](https://chrome-stats.com/d/xyz.vidieukhien.embedded.arduinomqtt) — 2,990 users
- [USB Serial Terminal Ultimate](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.moonappdevelopers.usbterminal) — 12,019 users, 3.25 / 5
- [USB Serial Telnet Server](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.clusterrr.usbserialtelnetserver) — 6,891 users
- [Serial Terminal - RS232/485](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.hardcodedjoy.serialterminal) — 9,268 users
- [Serial Terminal Pro](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.hardcodedjoy.serialterminalpro) — 666 users
- [Cypress Terminal](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.cypressiot.cypressterminal) — 3,438 users
- [GSI-Manager](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.tbsoft.tcpuart) — 42 users

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.hardcodedjoy.tcpuart)