Download the Remote Desktop client from the iOS store. First you'll need to download the client and configure your PC to connect to remote resources. To download the client: Download the Microsoft Remote Desktop client from the iOS App Store or iTunes. Set up your PC to accept remote connections.
Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2
You can use the Remote Desktop client for iOS to work with Windows apps, resources, and desktops from your iOS device (iPhones and iPads).
Use the following information to get started. Be sure to check out the FAQ if you have any questions.
Note
This section will tell you how to download and set up the Remote Desktop client for iOS.
First you'll need to download the client and configure your PC to connect to remote resources.
To download the client:
After you've downloaded the client and configured your PC to accept remote connections, it's time to actually add a PC.
To add a PC:
user_name@domain.com
. You can also select Ask when required to be prompted for a user name and password when necessary.Need to edit these settings? Press and hold the desktop you want to edit, then tap the settings icon.
To get a list of managed resources you can access on your iOS, add a workspace by subscribing to the feed provided by your admin.
To add a workspace:
https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/feeddiscovery/webfeeddiscovery.aspx
.https://rdweb.wvd.microsoft.com/api/arm/feeddiscovery
.After you've finished, the Connection Center should display the remote resources.
Once subscribed to a feed, the feed's content will update automatically on a regular basis. Resources may be added, changed, or removed based on changes made by your administrator.
When you connect to a PC or workspace, you can save the user accounts to select from again.
To create a new user account:
user_name
, domainuser_name
, or user_name@domain.com
.To delete a user account:
A Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) lets you connect to a remote computer on a corporate network from anywhere on the Internet. You can create and manage your gateways using the Remote Desktop client.
To set up a new gateway:
This section describes tools you can use to help navigate your Remote Desktop session.
The connection bar gives you access to additional navigation controls.
You can have multiple connections open to different PCs at the same time. Tap the connection bar to display the session selection bar on the left-hand side of the screen. The session selection bar enables you to view your open connections and switch between them.
Here's what you can do with the session selection bar:
The command bar replaced the Utility bar starting in version 8.0.1. You can use the command bar to switch between mouse modes and return to the connection center.
The client uses standard touch gestures. You can also use touch gestures to replicate mouse actions on the remote desktop. The mouse modes available are defined in the table below.
Note
In Windows 8 or later, the native touch gestures are supported in Direct Touch mode. For more information on Windows 8 gestures, see Touch: Swipe, tap, and beyond.
Mouse mode | Mouse operation | Gesture |
---|---|---|
Direct touch | Left-click | Tap with one finger |
Direct touch | Right-click | Tap and hold with one finger |
Mouse pointer | Left-click | Tap with one finger |
Mouse pointer | Left-click and drag | Tap and hold with one finger, then drag |
Mouse pointer | Right-click | Tap with two fingers |
Mouse pointer | Right-click and drag | Double-tap and hold with two fingers, then drag |
Mouse pointer | Mouse wheel | Double-tap and hold with two fingers, then drag up or down |
Mouse pointer | Zoom | With two fingers, pinch to zoom out and spread fingers apart to zoom in |
The client has Bluetooth mouse support for iOS 13 and iPadOS as an accessibility feature. You can use Swiftpoint GT or ProPoint mice for deeper mouse integration. The client also supports external keyboards that are compatible with iOS and iPadOS.
For more information about device support, see What's new in the iOS client and the iOS App Store.
Tip
Swiftpoint is offering an exclusive discount on the ProPoint mouse for iOS client users.
You can use either an on-screen keyboard or physical keyboard in your remote session.
For on-screen keyboards, use the button on the right edge of the bar above the keyboard to switch between the standard and additional keyboard.
If Bluetooth is enabled for your iOS device, the client automatically detects the Bluetooth keyboard.
While certain key combinations might not work as expected in a remote session, many of the common Windows key combinations, such as CTRL+C, CTRL+V, and ALT+TAB will work.
Tip
Questions and comments are always welcome. However, if you post support requests or product feedback in this article's comments section, we won't be able to respond to your feedback. If you need help or want to troubleshoot your client, we highly recommend you go to the Remote Desktop client forum and start a new thread. If you have a feature suggestion, you can tell us using the client user voice forum.
Controlling your Mac or Windows PC remotely from your mobile device was just a dream a few years ago. Not anymore. You can now do it easily with most of the smartphone operating systems and that includes iOS. But with so many available iOS apps for controlling your Mac or PC remotely and all of them claiming to be the best, it can be somewhat confusing to really know which ones are really the best ones to consider.
That is why here we are going to show you our top 5 picks for best apps to use your iPhone as a PC or Mac remote control. Check these out.
By far the most complete and secure application for controlling your Mac or Windows PC, TeamViewer for iPhone has rightfully earned quite a following among those who constantly look for faster and safer ways to access their computers remotely. The app is available in both free and paid versions and once installed on your iPhone, all that is required is to install a small client on your Mac or PC. Once you have accessed your computer either via using a code or by using a partner list, you have full control of it with a series of on-screen tools like a keyboard, a mouse and special function keys.
Overall, remote control with this app is smooth, plus all connections are secured by TeamViewer’s dedicated encryption.
Note: We’ve already written about setting up a remote connection between 2 Windows PCs using TeamViewer and shown how to remote control a computer using TeamViewer’s Android app.LogMeIn is perhaps the most popular application for controlling your Mac or PC remotely from your iOS device. It comes in both a free and paid versions, and offers simple and smooth control of as many computers as you like. Before connecting securely, the user will need to visit LogMeIn’s website and download a small client that will establish the connection between the devices.
Contrary to other similar apps, LogMeIn offers a series of upgrades in the form of in-app subscriptions, ranging from 3-month to yearly periods. A subscription enables a series of very interesting features, including HD video and audio streaming and local file saving.
In a similar line than TeamViewer, Mocha VNC provides users with a remote VNC connection to their Macs and PCs. The app relies on encrypted password sign in to connect to other computers and also comes in both a free and paid versions. Once connected to a computer, Mocha VNC presents the user with a simple interface that allows them to access and control files, applications and other resources of their computers as if they were right in front of them.
At just $14.99, Jump Desktop (Remote Desktop) – RDP / VNC is one of the most reasonably-priced apps on our list. It also happens to be one of the best for its price. It provides users with a secured connection to their Macs and PCs and also supports a very nice feature that allows users to control the quality of the connection, which makes it ideal for those with a low bandwidth.
Remoter is another VNC iOS app that allows you to connect your iPhone or iPad to your PC or Mac to control them remotely. The app offers a series of nice features and smooth controls, although other apps in this list are superior. Remoter VNC’s main “feature” is its price: You can get the fully functional version of the app for just $3.99 and enable all of its in-app enhancements for well less than $30.
There you have them. All the apps above offer similar functionalities at different prices. Choose the one that suits you best and let us know in the comments if your favorite didn’t make the list.
Verizon turned down the exclusive rights to sell the first iPhone.