Technology is taking everything by storm, now thanks to the readily available apps you can comfortably control your iPhone from a PC. Amazing, right?
Start Quicktime Player and Have Them Plug in the iPhone or iPad: Quicktime Player in Yosemite can.
- Follow me on Twitter: @nmv1973 Easy Steps to Access your Mac From your iPhone or iPad.
- TeamViewer’s ability to remote control from iPhone and iPad allows you to easily access your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer using your iOS smartphone or tablet. This way you can access important documents, use applications installed on your computer or check your email all while on the go.
Sadly, most of these apps require you to jailbreak your device, a practice most people are running away from. Do not despair yet. You will soon find out how to remotely control iPhone from your PC without jailbreaking your device. Here are the best apps to use for remotely controlling your iPhone or iPad from your PC without jailbreak:
Read Also:How to remotely mirror an iPhone or iPad to a computer using TeamViewer
6 Awesome Apps to Remotely Control Your iPhone from PC or MAC
[wpsm_numhead num=”1″ style=”4″ heading=”2″]AirServer[/wpsm_numhead]
AirServer is a solid applicaton that is simple to use when it comes to mirroring your iPhone directly from your Mac. Here is how to go about it:
How to control your iPhone from PC remotely using AirServer
- Open your browser and go to AirServer.com.
- Once the official webpage loads, on the bottom left of your screen, click on the download for free box. A small window will pop up on your screen prompting you to sign up for a free trial.
- Fill your name and email address then proceed. An email confirmation will be sent on your email.
- Confirm the email to get the activation codes. Copy and save the codes on a note pad.
- Choose the setup option you want to download according to your computer device.
- Once the download is complete, open your set up.
- Click next on your setup, and ensure that you check on all the things you need and also agree with the end user agreement. You will also be prompted to insert the activation code you got from the free registration.
- Copy and paste the codes and then proceed. This might take some time therefore you need to be patient. Once its complete click finish.
- Launch the application, if it asks for activation, copy and paste the codes again. This time you will get a message saying your code has been validated meaning you are good to go.
- Go to your iPhone device and swipe up. You will see the Air server application.
- Click on it and choose mirroring. Once this is done you will be able to see your iPhone screen on your PC. Note all the apps can be run perfectly. You can also resize your iPhone size and continue with whatever task you were doing. Talk of convenience!
Also:Control jailbroken devices from your desktop using Veency
[wpsm_numhead num=”2″ style=”4″ heading=”2″]ISL Light[/wpsm_numhead]
If you need to access your iPhone directly from a computer and actually control what it does, then this method will be more helpful. It also comes in handy for those looking to troubleshoot problems with the iPhone as well as manage data and configure the device.
Here, you need to download the ISL light app for the computer, and this other ISL app for the iPhone. The computer app works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Once downloaded, follow the steps indicated below to control your computer from your iPhone:
How to control your iPhone from PC using ISL Light
- Open the ISL App on your computer and click to start a session
- The client should also open the app on the iPhone or Android device and connect to the existing session
- Share the session code with the client for the connection to happen
- Once connected, you can now access the iPhone from your computer through WiFi, 3G, or LTE
- You will be able to see live screenshots of the client’s device from your computer
- You can also chat with the iPhone’s user remotely
[wpsm_numhead num=”3″ style=”4″ heading=”2″]Mobile Gateways by Eggplant[/wpsm_numhead]
Mobile gateway provides for a simple and full control of your iPhone directly from your Mac.
The good thing with this software is that it can control other devices too, including Android, Windows Phone, and Blackberry remotely from your computer. It doesn’t require jailbreaking to install and use.
Visit Mobile Gateways
[wpsm_numhead num=”4″ style=”4″ heading=”2″]VMware AirWatch[/wpsm_numhead]
If you are in a corporate and are looking for a way to be able to remotely access all the company’s devices in possession of employees, then VMware AirWatch is the best software for this job. It allows you to install different apps to client’s computers and collaborate on tasks.
With the remote-control ability that the software provides across many platforms including Android and Windows, you have a better way of installing apps and collaborating at the workplace when you install VMware AirWatch.
[wpsm_numhead num=”5″ style=”4″ heading=”2″]iKeyboardRemote[/wpsm_numhead]
iKeyboardRemote lets you control your iPad or iPhone remotely from your Mac. This is especially useful whenever you want to execute simple tasks such as watching multimedia and accessing files. If you want to leave your iPhone on the doc while you play music or even access your photos, then this is your ideal app.
Pairing it up with your iPhone or iPad is as simple as selecting its name when it appears on your Mac.
Visit iKeyboardRemote
[wpsm_numhead num=”6″ style=”4″ heading=”2″]Chrome Remote Desktop[/wpsm_numhead]
Chrome Remote Desktop was originally developed by Google for Android, but has since been extended to cater for iPhone and iPad users. To use this app, you need to install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension and then download its free iOS version on your iPhone or iPad.
Once installed and a connection established, you can access your iOS device remotely and perform anything from playing videos, configuring apps, and even accessing documents. Connecting is as easy as entering an access code provided when you install the app on your Mac or PC.
Read Also:How to use your iPhone as an Apple TV remote
Finally…
All these apps have their strengths and weaknesses hence you need to choose the best depending on the purpose you intend to use it for. For example, some of the apps will only allow you to control things like music but don’t give you access to photos. Others, on the other hand, are built for corporate use.
Remote access to Mac, anywhere
While many countries are on a lockdown due to COVID-19, remote work is becoming a lifestyle. Remotely accessing a Mac is designed to be easy. Apple has spent a lot of time ensuring anyone can log in to their Macs — both desktop and laptop — from any other Mac device, anywhere. And, besides, there are a variety of third-party apps ready to help with that too.
Still, remotely managing their Mac sounds overly complicated to a lot of people. From how you connect to sharing files or screens to using your Apple device as a remote mouse, we want to demystify the process in the easy-to-follow guide below.
Best Remote Access Apps for Mac
There are times when you want to access your Mac remotely, and there are many different solutions to remote access your Mac. Best utilities in one pack, give it a go!
How to access your Mac from another location
There're two ways: you can allow remote login to your Mac from another computer, or allow others to access your computer using Remote Desktop (it's available from the App Store).
Allow remote login to your Mac from another computer
For devices using the same macOS, you can allow remote Mac login using a Secure Shell (SSH). This enables Mac remote desktop access using a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).
To set up Remote Login:
- Go to System Preferences > Sharing
- Select Remote Login.
- Choose which users you want to have remote access or the ability to control your Mac.
Iphone Remote Control Macbook Pro
You can either select All Users, which means any other device on your network, or any Mac you own, can access and connect, or click the plus sign to pick the exact users.
When you want to remotely log in to your Mac from another device, you need to know your username (the name that appears when you login) and your computer's IP address. Write them down and keep them safe, as allowing access to your Mac does make it potentially less secure, especially over cellular or public Wi-Fi networks.
Accessing, controlling, or viewing information on your Mac can be done with a built-in Terminal or any other SSH app using your username and IP address.
Allow others to access your computer using Apple Remote Desktop
With macOS remote Mac access and control is even easier. To set up it:
- Go to Menu > System Preferences > Sharing
- Select Remote Management - it should appear as a checkbox.
- Now you can select who has remote desktop access. Either select, All Users, which means any other device on your network, or Mac you own, can access and connect, or click the Add button(+), which gives you the ability to select who can have remote access and/or control.
If you are using a VPN or VNC viewer and want to access your Mac remotely, you will need to setup a password first. It is also possible to use iOS devices, such as an iPhone and iPad, through Apple Remote Desktop, available from the App Store.
How to stay on the same page with Screens
Collaboration has become of utmost importance to today's workplaces. And with more and more people working remotely, being on the same screen (ahem, page) is a must.
Screens allows you to work remotely with any computer regardless of your location. Whether you are on a business trip or traveling, stay confident knowing you can access any file on your home computer at any time.
This robust screen sharing tool for Mac supports:
- Multiple displays
- Drag-and-drop file sharing
- Hiding your remote screen while accessing it
- Accessing other computers (e.g. colleague's) as a guest
- Alternative shortcuts (useful when connecting Mac to PC)
- Custom actions in case of disconnection
To start using Screens, get the app from Setapp and configure the following:
- Remote login and remote management (as per the guide above)
- Install Screens Connect helper app and create a Screens ID on every machine you'd like to connect to in the future
- Use your Screens ID in the Screens app and it will automatically determine which of your computers are available for connection
Remote desktop client for Mac
Control any computer remotely – a perfect way to access your Mac from anywhere without limitations.
Share files between devices
Today we have plenty of ways to send and share files. But ask someone to send something, and you are likely to get it through email. Due to the ubiquitousness of email, it's still the default method for file sharing, despite its obvious flaws and constraints.
Fortunately, there are much better ways:
Native macOS File Sharing
Few people know that their Mac has native file sharing functionality built in. To use this feature, activate it in the Sharing pane of System Preferences by checking File Sharing. If you only want to share specific folders, add them to the Shared Folders list. If you only want specific users to access the folder, add them to its Users list. Otherwise, everyone will be able to access it.
AirDrop
Although not the most reliable solution, AirDrop works fine for occasional sharing a file between Apple devices. In the Finder, choose Go and then AirDrop on both the sending and receiving Mac. As soon as you see the receiver's user icon, drag the desired file onto it to send.
Read more about how to use AirDrop
Dropshare
If you don't want to send files Mac-to-Mac directly but rather through a cloud storage, there is no easier way than Dropshare. The app works with numerous cloud providers, from Dropbox to Google Drive, and saves your files for sharing by simply dragging them onto its menu bar icon.
How To Access Iphone Remotely
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
The most technical but also the most robust way to share files from your mac is to use FTP, which you could do either through Terminal or an FTP Client, the latter being much more user friendly.
There are a few popular FTP clients one could choose from. The robust file managing app ForkLift covers most of the FTP functionality but takes it to the next level and could be a viable replacement for the Finder altogether with its quick search, instant previews, and file comparison.
DCommander is another full-featured file transfer app for Mac that combines speed and reliability, able to handle thousands of files, schedule backups, and even automate transfers.
At last, when it comes to sharing the same files on different devices, an app like ChronoSync Express becomes invaluable.
ChronoSync Express is powerful tool for sharing and transferring files from Mac to Mac, or any another Apple device. With a feature called Synchronizer Document, you can select which files need to be automatically synchronized and shared between devices, just like that:
- Create a new synchronizer document for each folder synchronization you'd like to perform
- Name the synchronization
- Change the Operation to Synchronize Bidirectional
- Select folders to sync on the left and right
- Test with a Trial Sync
Do you need to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?
Whether you are working on your Mac directly, logging into your Mac remotely, or sharing access with someone else, security should be on top of your mind.
As a rule of thumb, you should always use a VPN when connected to a public Wi-Fi network, as someone could log in and see the information you send just as easily as you do.
And with remote access — even in the View Only mode — someone can see every file and document on your Mac, except those that are password protected. Unfortunately, if you leave passwords in a visible document, you expose yourself to immense risks.
A secure VPN client for Mac like Shimo is well worth using to stop unwanted eyes from lurking around, especially if you are sharing sensitive files, financial records or customer data.
However, for extra peace of mind and security, consider firing up your VPN automatically on all networks you are not 100% sure about to keep your emails, bank accounts and personal documents safe.
To share your Mac with someone else, download a remote Virtual Network Computing (VNC) app like Jump Desktop. With full remote access and Mac remote control, the other person — or yourself connecting to another Mac — can have the same level of control as the person using that device. Except for Admin level access, since it's password protected.
Starting with Jump Desktop is easy: either yourself (gaining access) or the person you are giving a remote view or control access to your Mac, needs to add details of the device and the password.
Secure your access with VPN
Get a VPN client for Mac to avoid privacy infringement while connecting remotely. It's secure and free to try.
Once permission is granted at the other end, remote Mac screen sharing or control (whereby you can use the iOS device as a remote mouse) becomes possible.
How to use your iOS device as a remote mouse
If your remote work starts on a patio hammock somewhere in east Asia, you should note that Apple iOS devices, such as an iPhone or iPad, can be used to control a Mac remotely, much like a mouse can control a desktop or laptop. Apps that make this possible work on VNC.
Remote Mouse is the easiest, most effective way to turn your iOS device into a wireless remote control for your Mac.
Although remote access through a local network would be most effective, since the closer you are to the device the quicker the connection, it's also possible from anywhere in the world, providing the network is secure and fast enough.
Setting up and granting access to the iOS device is the same process as when someone wants to access using a Mac. Except you need to give them a password. And make sure it is different from your primary Mac or iOS (App Store) one.
So working together or checking on your devices can be done from anywhere in the world and there are lots of ways to do that, from sharing screens and files to having complete access to a system set up far away. Setapp equips you with all the apps needed to remotely access any device you need and elevate your work to the global level.
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Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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