If you’re one of the many people who work from home due to COVID-19, then you’ll know that remote access is a requirement. One way to do this is with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop tool, which allows someone in their office to connect remotely with their computer at home. However, if you’re on the go, COVID-19 doesn’t have to stand between your office and your PC! The Remote Desktop mobile app can be used for quick access as long as both devices are connected to the same WiFi network.
Learn in this post about how easy it is to use the Remote Desktop mobile app (and what it can do) from anywhere in order to quickly get back into an application or file from your iOS and Android device.
Remote Access
To get remote access to your computer, you need to follow the steps below. Navigate to settings then open systems and then Remote Desktop on your computer and also toggle the Enable Remote Desktop button.
Prevent your computer from entering sleep mode when it is connected to wall power and make your computer accessible from remote devices. Viewing or modifying the options is simple. Click the corresponding “Show settings” links and keep them activated. Make sure to toggle on Network Level Authentication. This function protects from malicious users and uninvited guests.
If you’re using a VPN, etc to connect to the PC on the very same network at your workplace or home then remember to ignore the option External Connection. The default port for Remote Desktop is listed in the “Remote Desktop port” section. It would be a plus if you find IP on PC before going preceding any of the steps below.
First, note the name of the PC as you’ll need it later when setting up the connection.
Any user with Admin rights can easily access it. We are assuming that you have a company account or a Microsoft account to log in to windows. That is a good option to use that account and credentials to log in remotely.
If you want to give remote access to a different account, click the Select users that can remotely access this PC link at the bottom. Click Add and enter the username for the account you want to use.
To give remote access to other accounts, left-click on the Select Users who can remotely access this computer. Add the username for the account you are willing to use.
Get remote access from your iPhone or iPad
To access the PC from your iOS device, get the Remote Desktop application from the App store. After opening the application tap on the plus button (+) and select the option Add PC.
In the Add PC screen, fill in the details of a PC in the PC Name input field such as IP address or Computer name. Also, fill in the account details in the User Account input field or you can leave the field set to “Ask when Required”.
Enter a name in the Friendly Name field to add an easier label for this remote. Turning on Admin Mode allows you to manage a Windows server and normally would be off. The option for Swap Mouse Buttons lets users switch their mouse buttons.
To configure the gateway, go to Gateway and click on Enable RD Gateway. You can visit Microsoft’s website for more information about the role of a Remote Desktop Gateway in your organization.
You can also direct sound to play on this device; enable the clipboard if you plan to copy and paste back and forth; enable the microphone, camera, or remote storage as well. When finished tap Save in the upper-right corner.
The first time you try to access a specific PC, the Remote Desktop app may ask whether you want it to remember connections for that computer. Enable ‘Don’t ask me again for connections to this computer and then tap Accept’.
Now, you must be connected to a remote PC. After that, you can easily use the applications and other software.
To control the remote session, a toolbar appears at the top of your mobile device. You can zoom in or out on screen, show/hide your device’s keyboard, and switch to another connection.
Get remote access from your Android
The remote Desktop app works the same as it works on iOS devices. Just download and install it on your Android device and tap the option Add PC.
If you’re near the remote PC. The Application will scan it and if it is successfully detected the application will show the PC’s name on the screen. The second option is that you can add it manually.
Enter your PC’s name or IP address. Then add a user account and fill in the username and password. If your workplace or organization uses a Remote Gateway so you also have an option to add it.
For connection tap the name icon to get the remote session.
If you get any error while doing that then select the check box option Never ask again for connections to this PC and hit connect.
when you’re connected to a remote desktop, use the navbar/toolbar
to display the virtual keyboard, zoom functionalities, etc.