Remote For Apple Mac

There are many ways to remotely control a Windows computer software such as using third party software or the built-in Remote Desktop feature. However, the choices of remotely controlling another computer that is running a different operating system can be quite limited. Although Windows dominates the computer market, but you can still find a lot of people using Macs that runs on OS X.

Apple has their own remote access software called Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) which is a shareware that cost $79.99. It comes with some powerful features such as software distribution and automation to perform repetitive tasks on remote computers, but unfortunately it is meant for Mac to Mac and not cross platform.

In this article, we will be sharing a few methods on how you can remotely access Apple Mac computers from another computer running Windows for free.

Remote For Apple Macbook Air

TeamViewer is one of the most popular remote access software that is commonly used to provide remote support because it is easy to use and comes with really powerful features such as file transfer, switch sides, conference call, VoIP, screen recording and etc. Other than that, TeamViewer also works on multiple operating systems where it allows you to control a Mac OS X system from a Windows computer.

After you download the application, Apple Support will be able to see your screen, but cannot access your files or control your computer. If there is anything that you don't want Apple to see on your screen, remove it from view before your session begins. The Apple Remote is a remote control introduced in October 2005 by Apple Inc. For use with a number of its products with infrared capability. It was originally designed to control the Front Row media center program on the iMac G5 and is compatible with many subsequent Macintosh computers. Apple Remote Desktop User Guide. Search the user guide Clear Search Table of Contents. Control the screen and communicate with users. You can control the screen and message users, allowing them to interact with you. Control or observe a computer. Create lists of computers. The Siri Remote puts you in complete control of your Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. 1 With Siri, you can find what you want to watch using just your voice. And the Touch surface lets you interact with your Apple TV quickly and easily.

You will need to download and install the 'HOST' version of TeamViewer on the Mac computer that you want to remotely control. As for the Windows computer that will be controlling the Mac computer, simply download the TeamViewer full version, install and run it. Enter the ID followed by the password and you're able to connect to the OS X machine. The ID will not change and always stay the same on the machine.

The TeamViewer Host options can be accessed by clicking on the TeamViewer icon at the menu bar and select Preferences. You can change your password, configure the voice, microphone and phone conferencing, access control and etc.

Download TeamViewer Host for Mac

2. LogMeIn Free

LogMeIn Free allows you to conveniently remotely control a Mac computer running OS X from Windows through its web interface or the Firefox plugin. First you will need to create a free account, then login from the Mac computer and click the Add Computer button to download the LogMeIn Installer. After installation, you are able to access that computer from any other computer by logging in to LogMeIn. Do take note that the file transfer feature is disabled in the free version.

Download LogMeIn Free

3. RealVNC

Although there are many versions of VNC which are mostly free, RealVNC targets the enterprise users by offering shareware version and cross platform support to Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX and AIX. Similarly to LogMeIn, the free version of RealVNC provides a very basic remote access feature without file transfer, chat, session encryption, optimized performance, printing and deployment tool. You can use other VNC viewer such as TightVNC and UltraVNC to access the RealVNC server.

Download RealVNC

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Can I use softwares like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver etc (which are in MAC) from Windows system if the windows system doesn't have the same softwares?

If the OSX commuter has remote management enabled, what client does the Windows computer need to run to connect to it?

Logmein Free isn't completely free anymore. You can buy an account, and for IT people, you can buy Logmein Central, and then tie a couple of Logmein Pro pay-for machines to the account (easy). Then you are given logmein free subscriptions you can then tie into the account. If the remote access is going to give you an hourly rate or save you time (and time is money) then it is WORTH buying the annual subscription.
The thing that has always been an issue for me is Logmein wants to boast about their ability to stream the remote desktop as HD, and frankly that is just bells and whistles to me. That requires WAY more bandwidth, and is pointless in most cases. The GREAT thing about logmein, even over their join.me product, is you can cut back the color quality or even make it black and white. This SIGNIFICANTLY speeds up the remote session to make sure things work right. Join.me is a $100/yr subscription, to compete with their enterprise version rescue, but again the quality of the remote session is simply limiting and time wasting for the average IT guy who needs to help the user.
More to the point of Logmein Pro, you can actually perform secure file transfers, and monitor the system in a dashboard. The Dashboard for pro subscriptions ALSO gives you things like the top fifteen running processes, all scheduled tasks, the most current 15 lines of the event viewer log, etc. You can perform various levels of remote boot, and even utilize a scripting type offering called one to many.
It is incredibly powerful, and COMPLETELY worth the cost of the annual subscriptions.
(I do NOT work for Logmein, just an IT consultant.)

Thank you very much. Used realvnc viewer on win 7 64bit, to connect to a mac laptop on OS X Mavericks.

I was using the built in vnc server for osx, but with the last 10.8.5 update my connection got a lot of lag. I updated my vnc viewers to the latest but that didn't help. I finally downloaded the vine vnc server ( turned off the osx vnc server ) and bingo problem solved. Thanks for the article, it was a great help.

thanks a lot

Imagine this: an employee at the satellite office across the country is having computer trouble, but they use a Mac device. Or maybe you have dozens of Mac end-user devices to reach, update, troubleshoot, or otherwise manage, but you don't have time to find each device and manually address the issues. Since many IT professionals work from a Windows workstation, it can be a concern how they will effectively reach Mac devices.

Thanks to remote control software Mac users can use as easily as Windows users, there's no need to be physically in front of a computer when it needs your service. It's true that gaining remote control to Mac devices requires special consideration—IT professionals must be able to control end-user devices for purposes of troubleshooting and maintenance. Numerous solutions exist, but they don't all work for Macs, so you may need to be prepared with a method for reaching Mac devices, even if you're not working from a Mac yourself. Typically, that means investing in a software solution with all the functions you need.

Why Do IT Admins Need Mac Remote Access?

Remote access is the ability to operate a computer or components of a network from a different computer or part of the network. Mac remote access is unique in that most built-in functions on Macs require a Mac on both ends, but there are solutions that allow cross-compatible access for troubleshooting. This is crucial for IT professionals, who may be called on to troubleshoot remotely, regardless of operating system.

File Sharing and Access

Remote access was once widely used to access files and software when away from the main computer. Cloud computing has made this easier in many situations, as files can be easily kept in Dropbox or similar cloud drive option. If a worker wants to access all their files from home, they can simply log in to those accounts from a different device, and this is typically possible across various operating systems. However, using a program with a file transfer protocol (FTP) is crucial for businesses—an internal solution can make it faster and more secure when sharing larger files, staying behind the firewall, and generally ensuring functionality without relying on cloud storage.

Remote For Apple Mac Mini

IT Troubleshooting

Mac remote access is vital for IT troubleshooting and support. The ability to share screens and take over an end user's device can save hours when trying to resolve performance issues. This is especially true for IT departments managing users all over the country and world. Instead of going back and forth trying to diagnose and fix a problem by phone or video chat, you can see and control exactly what the end user is seeing and doing. For businesses, it's crucial to have a Mac remote access solution that will keep all users up and running.

Maintenance and Updates

Remote access can also be used for network updates and maintenance. The best methods and software enable access even when a device is powered down or off. Also, your remote access interface should ideally allow you to manage multiple devices at the same time. This makes after-hours updates easy, limiting downtime and intrusions into the workday.

How Does Mac Remote Access Work?

Some built-in options for Mac remote access may work if you're simply connecting between two Macs. For a more robust solution, you'll need to consider business-grade software.

Apple Screen Sharing

Screen sharing is the fastest and easiest of the two built-in options from Apple in terms of setup but has drawbacks that make it less than ideal for IT professionals in the long-term.

To enable screen sharing on the Mac you want to share, choose Apple menu > System Preferences > Sharing > Screen Sharing. Write down the name and address of the Mac. The name is alphanumeric, while the address contains the IP address.

Then, on the other Mac, you can connect using either the name or the address:

1. Connect using the name: Open Finder. In the Locations section of the sidebar, click Network, double-click the Mac you want to share, then click Share Screen.
2. Connect using the address: In the Finder, choose Go > Connect to Server, enter the address of the Mac you want to share, then click Connect.

If both computers are logged in using the same Apple ID, the screen sharing session starts. If they're not, you're prompted to enter the username and password of a user who is allowed screen sharing access on that computer, or you can request permission to share the screen if the computer allows it.

Screen sharing is convenient because it is built into Macs and can be done without much forethought or setup. But you'll likely notice a lag as you work remotely in this way. Screen sharing can be helpful for short tasks and quick fixes, but it's not ideal for long-term remote needs.

Apple Remote Desktop

This is a more thorough option than screen sharing as you won't get the lag present with the latter. But it requires permissions or admin privileges on the computer allowing remote access.

There are two ways to enable Remote Desktop: using System Preferences or using the command line prompt. To enable using System Preferences, click on the Apple menu and choose System Preferences. Click Sharing. If prompted, log in as an administrator on that computer, and select the Remote Management box.

Enabling remote desktop with the command line also requires admin privileges. If you have these already, enter this command in the prompt:

sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -activate -configure -access -on -restart -agent -privs -all

Remote Desktop seems to have been made with IT professionals in mind, offering a 'Curtain Mode' to hide work in progress, remote administration, and automation. Remote Access works from Mac to Windows and Linux.

Choosing Software for Remote Support

For businesses, it's important to choose a remote access option that keeps data and users secure while allowing high levels of functionality. You'll want to choose a software solution that allows compatibility between various operating systems, no matter if you or the end users have the Mac device.

Besides compatibility, the most important features are the encryption and authentication methods the software uses to protect your connection. You should also consider built-in troubleshooting and screen-sharing features, along with in-platform communication tools (like chat) that can streamline the process. In some cases, remote support software allows IT professionals to connect to a device even if it's powered down, so you don't necessarily have to interrupt end users.

For quick fixes and sudden issues, having a built-in remote access Mac solution can be helpful. But IT professionals in need of ongoing remote access for troubleshooting and maintenance should invest in a secure, high-functionality solution that will allow for quick access, file transfer, tuning capabilities, and communication between any two devices, regardless of who is using a Windows device and who is using a Mac. Dameware^® is a good tool to try out since they have either a cloud-based remote access solution or on-premises remote support software that can help you remotely troubleshoot a Mac (and even from a Mac if you choose the cloud version).

Selecting the Right Solution for Your MSP Business

The solutions mentioned above are excellent options for IT managers. But what if you're an MSP trying to streamline remote access tasks for hundreds of different clients?

In this scenario, you might want to go looking for a more specialized tool. A great place to start is with SolarWinds Take Control. This solution was created for services providers that need to support a large number of customers in a way that's both fast and effective.

Remote For Apple Macbooks

Take Control offers remote tools designed to help make quick connections and resolve issues in a timely manner. It's also highly customizable, and comes with a full set of handy options, such as full session recordings and chat transcript searches.