It wasn't too many years ago that accessing a computer remotely—over the web, from another device—was a hugely complicated exercise that was challenging even for IT professionals. These days, however, there are a range of intuitive apps to make the job much simpler, and they're often free to use.
This extends to scenarios where you need to access your computer from your phone. Though you're not going to want to settle down for a full Windows or macOS session on a mobile screen, you might, for example, need to launch (or stop) a particular operation while you're away from your desk, or get access to a particular file.
All you need is a smart piece of software on your computer, matching a smart mobile app on your phone, and you should be able to connect without too much trouble—whether it involves Android, iOS, Windows, or macOS.
Google's Chrome Remote Desktop remains one of the best ways of getting at one computer from another computer. It's fast, simple, and free—and there are mobile apps too, for Android and iOS. With a little bit of setup ahead of time on the computer you want to access in the future, it all works pretty seamlessly.
First, use Google Chrome to head to the Chrome Remote Desktop portal on your computer, sign into your Google account if you haven't already, then click Access my computer. Click Turn on under Set up remote access, and follow the instructions, which are all straightforward. You'll need to enter a name for your computer to help you identify it, and a PIN to control access.
With that done, leave Chrome running on your computer while you go on your travels. Whenever you need access, open up the Chrome Remote Desktop app on your phone, and once you've signed into your Google account, your available computers should be listed at the top of the Remote Access tab. Tap on any of them to connect.
Like Chrome Remote Desktop, TeamViewer is a capable remote access tool for the desktop that also has mobile apps available: For Android and for iOS. It's all free of charge for personal, non-business use. Again, you first need to do some setting up and configuring on the computer you're connecting to before you can use your phone.
Head over to the TeamViewer site to get the desktop client for Windows or macOS, then run the installation program and follow the instructions to get everything set up (including a free TeamViewer account, if you don't already have one). In the client, click the home icon on the toolbar on the left, then make note of the Connect with ID details on the right.
Leave your computer and TeamViewer running while you're away, and you can then use the TeamViewer mobile app to connect: You'll need to sign in with your TeamViewer account, confirm that your phone is a trusted device via an emailed link, then use the ID and password details you noted down from TeamViewer on the desktop. You'll see separate options for Remote control and File transfer, so choose the one you need.
Finally, we've got Zoho Assist. Like TeamViewer, it's aimed largely at businesses and professionals, but if you don't need a lot of the advanced bells and whistles—you just need to access your computer from your phone every so often—then there's a free plan available for personal users.
The first step in setting this up is heading to the Zoho Assist website, signing up for a Zoho account, and launching the web interface for desktop—if you then switch to the Unattended access tab and click Add Device, you can install the necessary software for Windows or macOS, and get your session up and running.
All that's required then is to install the Zoho Assist app for Android or iOS. As long as you're signing in using the same Zoho account, the app should automatically recognize the session you've started on your computer and be able to connect to it—switch to the Unattended Access tap and then click Connect next to the computer you want to access to see it on your phone screen.
Google Chrome’s address bar (or omnibox, as Google calls it), might seem simple, but you can actually do a lot more with it than just search for your
iOS 17.5 is officially out, bringing the latest security updates to all applicable iPhones. Alongside fixing some major security flaws that Apple need
Once known as Location History, Google Maps' Timeline feature is a fun way to view a chronicle of the places you've visited, and routes to took to get
AI is being integrated and rolled out everywhere you look in tech right now, and Google is leading the charge. The company is adding its AI model, Gem
In terms of price and quality, QLED TVs sit somewhere between LCD/LED on the low end and OLED TVs at the top. If you're not sure if you should be shop
October Prime Day doesn't start until Oct. 8, but there are early Prime Day deals on a bunch of stuff including headphones, Echo Shows, Echo Smart spe
We are a dynamic information platform dedicated to delivering timely, relevant, and reliable content across a broad spectrum of topics. From the latest in technology and business to lifestyle, health, and global affairs, we aim to keep our readers informed and inspired.
Our editorial team is committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy and clarity, ensuring that every article provides value and context in an ever-changing world. We believe in the importance of accessible knowledge and strive to make complex topics understandable for everyone.
Whether you're here to stay updated on current events, explore thought-provoking features, or simply learn something new, our goal is to offer a trustworthy source of information that meets the needs of a diverse and curious audience.