Your iPhone can double as a remote control for your Mac — here's how

How To
By published

Learn how to remote control your Mac from your iPhone or iPad and access files on the go

Two people standing around a MacBook. The person on the right of the image is holding an iPhone in their left hand
(Image credit: Future)

Want to know how to remote control your Mac from your iPhone or iPad? You're not alone. Apple Macs are wonderful computers but they're not exactly pocket-friendly. If you want to access them when you're out and about, you either need to carry one under your arm or stuff it in a bag – unless, that is, you have an iPhone or iPad handy.

With a small amount of prep work and a sprinkling of magic courtesy of the Google Chrome Remote Desktop app, you can access your Mac's desktop from your phone or tablet and even tap around to launch apps and access files.

So let's take a look at how to remote control your Mac from your iPhone or iPad.

How to remote control your Mac from your iPhone or iPad

1. Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your Mac's screen and select System Preferences. Then, click Sharing.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Tick the box next to Screen Sharing. You will also see that your Mac's address and name is also displayed under 'Screen Sharing: On'.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Launch the Google Chrome browser on your Mac. If you do not have Chrome installed, you can find it on the Mac App Store.

Go to https://remotedesktop.google.com/access/ and log in to your Google account.

(Image credit: Future)

4. You'll be taken to the Google Chrome Remote Desktop page. Click the download button located in the 'Set up remote access' box.

(Image credit: Future)

5. Now that you're in the Chrome Web Store, click Add to Chrome.

(Image credit: Future)

6. When prompted, click Add extension. The Chrome Remote Desktop app will download.

(Image credit: Future)

7. Back on the Chrome Remote Desktop webpage, you will see the app is ready to install. Click Accept & Install.

(Image credit: Future)

8. When prompted to open the download, click Yes. You will see an icon called Chrome Remote Desktop Host.pkg — double click the icon.

(Image credit: Future)

9. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Chrome Remote Desktop Host. Click Install when prompted, for example.

(Image credit: Future)

10. Now choose a name for your computer.

(Image credit: Future)

11. When asked, enter a PIN consisting of at least six numbers. Remember this pin and click Start.

If prompted, allow Chrome Remote Desktop Host to control your computer and record the contents of your screen.

(Image credit: Future)

12. Now grab your iPhone and open the App Store. Once open, search for Chrome Remote Desktop and tap Get. Once downloaded and installed, open the app.

(Image credit: Future)

13. Sign in to the app using the same Google account details as before. You will now see your remote devices. Click the Mac you want to remotely access.

(Image credit: Future)

14. After a few seconds, the app will connect to your computer. Enter your PIN and click the arrow button.

When asked if you want to allow Remote Desktop to find and connect to devices on your local network, click Ok.

(Image credit: Future)

15. You are now connected to your Mac and you will be able to control it from your iPhone.

(Image credit: Future)

And there you go – you can now remote control your Mac from your iPhone or iPad. But that's not all. There are other ways of gaining access to files on your Mac, mainly by storing your folders and files in the cloud. 

It's certainly worth learning how to use Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud cloud storage solutions. You can also learn how to remote desktop on Mac from another Mac or use your iPad as a second monitor with just a few clicks thanks to Sidecar, which allows access to a Mac from an iPad that's within a distance of 10 metres.

David Crookes
David Crookes
Contributor

David Crookes is a freelance writer, reporter, editor and author. He has written for technology and gaming magazines including Retro Gamer, Web User, Micro Mart, MagPi, Android, iCreate, Total PC Gaming, T3 and Macworld. He has also covered crime, history, politics, education, health, sport, film, music and more, and been a producer for BBC Radio 5 Live.