CoRD was a Mac OS X remote desktop client for Microsoft Windows computers using the RDP protocol. It's easy to use, fast, and free for anyone to use or modify. 2020-04-13: This project is defunct. Most people will be happy with Microsoft's clients. Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP) for Mac is a useful way to work with Windows apps and resources. Even though you’re operating macOS, you can still access PC-style desktops from your MacBook, iMac, or Mac Mini. You can use RDP for Mac on any computer using macOS 10.10 or newer. Go to Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac and select Download. You don't need to create an account or sign into AppCenter to download the beta client. If you already have the client, you can check for updates to ensure you have the latest version. In the beta client, select Microsoft Remote Desktop Beta at the top, and then select Check for updates. Allow Apple Remote Desktop to access your Mac On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, click Sharing, then select the Remote Management checkbox. Do one of the following: Select “All users” to let anyone with a user account on your Mac share your screen.

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

Setapp sets you up with all the tools you need to access your computer remotely. 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 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.

Mac Os Rdp Client Windows

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.

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.

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:

1. Remote login and remote management (as per the guide above)
2. Install Screens Connect helper app and create a Screens ID on every machine you'd like to connect to in the future
3. 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.

Mac Os Rdp To Windows

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

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.

These might also interest you:

Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.

Sign Up

Microsoft Remote Desktop, a free application from Microsoft, allows you to use a Mac laptop or desktop to connect to and work from a Windows desktop computer that you have RDP access to in your on-campus office or lab. If you aren't sure whether you have RDP access to a certain machine, feel free to check with ECN via our Trouble Report System:

Put simply, Microsoft Remote Desktop from a laptop or a home computer makes it as if you're sitting at the desk in your office using your computer's keyboard and mouse -- even if you're two buildings, two miles, or two continents away.

By remotely accessing an ECN-supported desktop computer and refraining from storing your Purdue files locally on your laptop or home computer, your data remains safely stored in your home directory on ECN's network servers -- which receive daily backups.

• If you have a Windows-based laptop or home computer, Microsoft provides Microsoft Remote Desktop for Windows 7, please see Remote Desktop Connection in Windows 7.The instruction on the page you're reading now focus on the MacOS version.

You'll want to follow these instructions on your Mac laptop and/or at-home Mac-- not on the on-campus desktop computer! Before you begin, download and install Microsoft Remote Desktop free via the App Store to your Mac.(Please note you'll need to be running 10.12.6 MacOS Sierra minimally, to run/download this application from the App Store).

When connecting from off-campus, please make sure to Purdue's VPN (www.webvpn.purdue.edu) first, as seen in step 1.

Who can use Microsoft Remote Desktop?

A remote-controlled computer can be used by only one person at a time. As such, this service is intended for use only by those who do not share the same office computer with other people. A graduate student may use Microsoft Remote Desktop with the permission of their supervisor.

Every ECN-supported Windows PC which will be used remotely must be pre-configured by ECN before this service will work. Please contact us in advance; we will provide you with the value that you'll need in step #3 as well.

Connecting to the Desktop Computer in Your Office

1. Connect to Purdue's Virtual Private Network. When using a computer off-campus, this step is required. Establish a connection to Purdue's Virtual Private Network (https://webvpn.purdue.edu). For a description of this service, please see ITaP's VPN 'Getting Started' page.

2. Launch the Microsoft Remote Desktop application from your Applications folder. The appropriate icon can be seen below:

3. Once the application opens up, you'll need to add your specific machine to the 'My Desktops' list. To do so, click on New. A new dialog will appear. Fill it out as seen below-- making sure to substitute '128.46.xxx.yyy' with the actual IP address of your machine, 'username' for your Purdue Career Account user name, and 'Password' for your account password. Please note though that you will need to type either 'boilerad' or 'ecn'before your user name in order to successfully authenticate to your machine.

NOTE: If using the ECN RemoteAvailability website, please instead use the computer hostname INSTEAD of the IP. you can do this by appending .boilerad.purdue.edu to the selected PC name from a green box.

IMPORTANT

If your computername begins with x- you will use 'boilerad' prior to your username.

If your computername DOES NOT begin with x- you will use 'ecn' prior to your username.

Again, if you do not know your computer's IP, feel free to check with ECN via our Trouble Report System. Once you enter all of the necessary information, click the red circle in the top right corner of the dialog to close it out and save your configuration. You should now see 'Office PC' in your list under 'My Desktops.' Feel free to change the 'Connection name' of your configuration to anything you like. More specific names can be helpful when you need to set up connections to multiple machines on campus.

4. When you double click on your newly created RDP connection ('Office PC'), the following 'Verify Certificate' prompt may appear.

If it does, simply choose 'Continue.' Your Windows screen should then appear to you.

5. When you're ready to disconnect from your Windows machine, you may end the session in one of these ways:

- Click on the Start menu and select 'Disconnect.' This will end the remote session but leave files and programs open and running on your office PC.

- Click on the round red button at the top-left corner of the window. This will end the remote session but leave files and programs open and running on your office PC. If you do not see the Microsoft Remote Desktop application menu bar with the red button, simply hover your mouse at the top of your screen until it appears.

- Click on the Start menu and select 'Log off.' This will close all open files and programs on your office PC and also end the remote session.

Last modified: 2020/11/24 07:34:55.304958 US/Eastern by steven.e.schmidt.1
Created: 2008/07/31 10:21:59.307000 GMT-4 by john.a.omalley.1.

Categories

• Knowledge Base > ECN > RDP
• Knowledge Base > Software > RemoteDesktop
• Knowledge Base > OS > Mac
• Knowledge Base > OS > Mac > OS X

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