AnyDesk is a standalone remote-access solution that's a great alternative to TeamViewer. It works in virtually the same way: you sign up for an account, download the AnyDesk app on the machine you want to access remotely, sign in, and then enable unattended access in the app's preferences and set a password. DesktopNow is a free remote access program from NCH Software. After optionally forwarding the proper port number in your router, and signing up for a free account, you can access your PC from anywhere through a web browser. The computer that will be accessed remotely needs to have the DesktopNow software installed.
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 AccessRemote 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.
IT TroubleshootingMac remote access is vital for IT troubleshooting and support. https://truemup727.weebly.com/intel-widi-driver-for-windows-10-64-bit.html. 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 UpdatesRemote 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 SharingScreen 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:
- 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.
- 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 DesktopThis 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 SupportFor 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® Morris guitars serial number. 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 BusinessThe 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.
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 SharingScreen 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:
- 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.
- 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 DesktopThis 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 SupportFor 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® Morris guitars serial number. 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 BusinessThe 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.
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.
If you are a small business that works in the tech support or customer service domain then it is pretty common to assist your customers via remote desktop. Generally, when it comes to business operations, the majority of software requires you to buy bulk business licenses. Even the good old TeamViewer is only available for free for non-commercial use. If you connect it to 6 or 7 different PCs, it blocked for 'not playing fair'. That said, if your needs are not that demanding then there are quite a few free remote desktop applications that get the job done with flying colors.
To get you started, here are some of the best free remote desktop software for small businesses.
Read: Looking for Alternative to TeamViewer?
Free Remote Access Software 1. Windows Remote DesktopWindows has a built-in remote-control capability that allows you to control any Windows system over the network using the Remote Desktop feature. Like any remote desktop software, Windows Remote Desktop comes in two parts. i.e. the remote desktop server and the remote desktop client. The client is available on all Windows versions like Home, Professional, and Enterprise. However, the remote desktop server is only available in the Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows.
The remote control uses the RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) to connect two systems over the network. One of the main advantages of RDP is that it is designed to work efficiently on slow connections. By default, the protocol uses RC4 cipher to encrypt the data connection. If needed, you can even switch between 56 and 12-bit ciphers.
Features of Windows Remote Desktop include but not limited to efficient bandwidth management, clipboard mapping, print redirection, keyboard hooking, sound redirection, network load balancing, remote file transfer, etc.
If you are already using Windows Pro or Enterprise version and don't mind the lack of advanced features like text or voice chat over the remote connection, then Windows Remote Desktop is pretty good at what it does.
Read: 7 Ways To Access Your Computer's Files Remotely Over the Internet
2. Zoho AssistZoho is a free web-based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) that is one of the main competitors for GSuite. Being a CRM, Zoho has several different business ready modules like Mail, Lead Management, Canvas, Analytics, Sales Management, Web forms, Process Management, etc. One of those ready to use modules is the Zoho Assist that allows you to remote control computers via a network. Just like Windows Remote Desktop, Zoho Assist comes in both client and server variants.
Zoho Assist has all the basic features you'd expect from any remote desktop software. Of all the features, the one I really like is the Unattended computer access. In case you don't know, the Unattended access allows you to control a PC over the network without having a person physically sitting on the client side. Other features include clipboard sharing, user management, UAC compatibility, organizational rules, instant chat, etc.
Do keep in mind that the free version of Zoho Assist is limited to one concurrent session and one remote technician at any given time.
Check out Zoho Assist
3. ConnectWise ControlWhen it comes to small business remote desktop applications, ConnectWise Control is one of the most and feature rich. One of the best things about ConnectWise is that it offers super-fast remote-control connectivity. Of course, the connection is fully encrypted using AES 256-bit encryption and is also Windows UAC (User Access Control) compatible.
To get started, just make the client install the compatible client app and then initiate the connection from your server. Since the service is mainly aimed towards business customers, ConnectWise Control offers granular user access control. If needed, you can also set individual permissions on per session basis.
Other features of ConnectWise Control include unattended access, audit reports, secure session codes, Android and iOS apps, extension support, etc. Keep in mind that free users are limited to one connection, one remote technician and one simultaneous session.
For advanced features like support for an increased number of concurrent connections and simultaneous sessions, clipboard support, file transfer, wake-on-LAN, chat support, session triggers, etc., you need to subscribe to one of their paid plans.
Check out ConnectWise Control
4. AeroAdminAeroAdmin is another free and feature-rich small business remote desktop application. Just like ConnectWise, AeroAdmin is designed to connect to the remote computer as fast and efficiently as possible all the while encrypting the data and connection. Of all the features provided by AeroAdmin, the one I really like is the ability of the client to send an SOS message. Once a client sends it, the SOS message is delivered via email and you can initiate the connection instantly. As you can guess, this feature is quite useful in environments where you need to help the client as soon as possible in the event of need.
As a free user, you can connect to computers over different LANs and behind NATs. Additionally, you'll also get access to other features like unattended access, remote reboot, clipboard sync, support for system keys, etc.
That being said, some advanced features like proxy support, file transfer, chat, etc., are only available for paid users.
Check out AeroAdmin
5. Remote UtilitiesDoes macbook air have powerpoint. Compared to all the above applications, Remote Utilities offers more features for its users under the free license. For instance, you have full access to the centralized permission management, multitasking, shared access where multiple technicians can connect to a single system, direct connect, unattended access, drag and drop file transfer, remote printing, screen recording, clipboard sync, etc. Additionally, you can have your own self-hosted server for remote connections and address book synchronization.
Mac os virtual machine software. https://bestkup351.weebly.com/tooth-fairy-2-4-3.html. The only restricted features are premium support, silent installation, and the number of endpoints for each technician. As a free user, each technician is limited to ten endpoints at any given time.
All in all, if you are looking for a free service that gives you most of the features for free while being easy to use in professional environments then do give Remote Utilities a try.
Check out Remote Utilities Currencier currency converter widget 1 1 3.
6. UltraVNCUltraVNC is a free, lightweight, and open source remote desktop application. Now, compared to other applications on this list, UltraVNC is pretty basic and not that easy to use. However, it is pretty lightweight and works fast. As long as you don't require features like unattended access, clipboard sync or advanced reports, UltraVNC is pretty good at what it does. Of course, it has basic features like file transfer, connection encryption, and a quick chat.
Simply put, if you are looking for a free and open source remote desktop application then UltraVNC is for you.
Check out UltraVNC
7. LiteManagerLiteManager is yet another free remote desktop software that is quite comparable to Remote Utilities when it comes to the free feature set. Apart from the regular features like file transfer, drag and drop support, encryption, and clipboard sync, LiteManager also offers remote task manager, IP filtering, sound capture, event logs, remote installation, a quick chat, power management, etc.
Additionally, the user interface is also beginner friendly and easy to get started. Though the free version limits you from using it on more than 30 computers at any given time, the limit is quite decent for a small business. In fact, 30 computers limit is much more than what Remote Utilities offers.
So, if you want to manage more computers while having access to advanced features then I recommend you go with LiteManager.
Check out LiteManager
8. Chrome Remote DesktopIf all you require is a simple remote connection to control the other computer, then Chrome Remote Desktop, by Google, is a pretty good choice. Since all you have to do is install a simple Chrome extension, it works no matter what the operating system is. However, when compared to any other application on this list, Chrome Remote Desktop is very limited. For instance, it only works if the client has Chrome installed in their system. Additionally, there are a lack essential features like file transfer, chat capabilities and you cannot send system keyboard shortcuts.
Read: 5 Ways to Use Your Android as Second Monitor For Your Computer
That being said, if all you need is a basic remote connection that allows you to have basic control while looking at the remote screen then Chrome Remote Desktop is the best choice.
Check out Chrome Remote Desktop
Wrapping Up: Free Remote Access SoftwareIf you want to manage multiple users at a time, then I'd recommend you go with LiteManager or Remote Utilities. If you are looking for an open source software, then UltraVNC is for you. For advanced reports and remote reboot capability, AeroAdmin and ConnectWise are a good choice. Windows Remote Desktop is useful if you don't want to install any third-party software. Finally, if all you need is a basic remote connection then Chrome Remote Desktop gets the job done.
That is all for now. If you think I missed any of your favorite remote desktop applications for small businesses, then do comment below and share them with me.
Best Remote Access MacRead: 5 Apps to Remote Control Android Phone from PC (USB and WiFi)
