Best ways to remotely access and control your Mac from any device and location

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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.

Remote access can mean many things, so let's ensure we're on the same page here. You can access specific files on your Mac remotely using shared folders — for example, Google Drive, shared Notes, etc. — or using FTP. Screen sharing can also be considered a remote connection because you can view Mac's screen when someone shares it with you through Zoom, Slack, or similar tools. However, you can't control it.

In this guide, we'll focus on the types of remote connection that let you control your Mac when it's not physically there. Mainly, we'll talk about remote control with mobile apps and remote desktop access — it's when you can access folders, edit files, and basically complete any task on your remote Mac.

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 to or the ability to control your Mac.

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.

manage remote access macos

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, things are 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.

Allow others to access your computer

If you are using a VPN or VNC viewer and want to access your Mac remotely, you will need to set up 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.

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.

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 a powerful tool for sharing and transferring files from Mac to Mac, or any other 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:

  1. Create a new synchronizer document for each folder synchronization you'd like to perform
  2. Name the synchronization
  3. Change the Operation to Synchronize Bidirectionally
  4. Select folders to sync on the left and right
  5. Test with a Trial Sync

chronosync express

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 ClearVPN is well worth using to stop unwanted eyes from lurking around, especially if you are sharing sensitive files, financial records, or customer data.

clearvpn-change-location-main-menu

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. 

jump desktop app

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. 

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.

remote mouse

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.

FAQ on Mac remote access

We'll finish up answering some of the most common questions you might have about remote Mac access.

How do I set up Microsoft remote desktop on Mac?

It's possible to access Windows apps or any resources on a Windows computer from your Mac. Here's how it works: 

  1. Find Microsoft Remote Desktop client on the Mac App Store and install it on your Mac
  2. On a Windows computer, allow remote connections
  3. Add your remote desktop connection and enjoy quick access to the PC.

How do I send Ctrl+Alt+Del to a remote computer?

If you use a Mac to control a PC, one of the most essential commands you should get a grip of is Ctrl+Alt+Del. It will allow you to get access to Force Quit options. To Ctrl+Alt+Del, go to your Remote Desktop Client > Actions > Ctrl+Alt+Del. 

How do I uninstall Microsoft Remote Desktop from Mac?

It's not enough to just move the Microsoft Remote Desktop client to the Trash, you'll have to get rid of all user names, passwords, and system files generated since you've been using the client for remote access. The easiest way is to completely uninstall Remote Desktop with CleanMyMac X — it will delete all the associated files, too. 

Or, you can uninstall the client manually: 

  1. Mote Remote Desktop client to the Trash
  2. In Finder > Go > Go to Folder > private/var/db/ and remove the RemoteManager folder
  3. In Finder > Go > Go to Folder > /Library/Containers/ and remove the com.apple.RemoteDesktop folder
  4. In Finder > Go > Go to Folder > /Library/Application Support/Apple/Remote Desktop/ and remove the client, settings, and task server folders
  5. In Finder > Go > Go to Folder > /Library/Preferences/ and remove the com.apple.RemoteDesktop.plist file 
  6. In Finder > Go > Go to Folder > /Library/Widgets/ and remove the Remote Desktop.wdgt file. 

How do I copy files from Windows Remote Desktop to Mac?

The easiest way is to copy from admin to client computers: 

  1. Open Remote Desktop and choose your remote computer from the computer list in the left sidebar 
  2. Choose Manage > Copy Items
  3. Add and remove items you want to copy using the plus and minus buttons
  4. Once you're ready, click Copy. 

If you want to learn about more ways to transfer files between Mac and PC — for example, you can do it with drag and drop — read this Apple Support article.

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