How to set up a remote desktop connection via Chrome Remote Desktop

You can establish a remote desktop connection with the help of Google's Chrome browser. This allows you to access your computer from virtually anywhere via another computer's Chrome browser or a mobile device's Chrome Remote Desktop app.

What you need:

• A target device (computer)
• Google Chrome
• A Google account 
• Your Gmail account is your Google account

A. Remote Access vs. Remote Support

Google's Chrome Remote Desktop offers two different functions: Remote Access and Remote Support.

Remote Access establishes permanent access to a target device. So long as the target device is powered on and connected to the internet, it can be accessed remotely by another device where the same user is signed in. 

Remote Support generates a one-time access code. The target device generating and sharing the code grants access to any other device provided with the code. The code expires upon its single use. This function is ideal for one-time IT support sessions.

B. Setting up remote access (permanent usage)

1. Open Google Chrome and sign in to your Google account on your target device
2. Navigate to https://remotedesktop.google.com/access
3. In the pop-up window at the bottom right corner of the screen, click the Install button
4. Open the downloaded file and follow its provided instructions to install the remote desktop software
5. Return to https://remotedesktop.google.com/access and create a name and PIN for your target computer
6. Now your device is configured for access from a Chrome browser or Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS and Android

C. Setting up remote support (one-time usage)

1. Open Google Chrome and sign in to your Google account on your target device
2. Navigate to https://remotedesktop.google.com/support
3. If there is a pop-up window at the bottom right corner of the screen, click the Install button
4. Share your screen by generating a code under Share this screen, or access another device by inputting a shared code under Connect to another computer 
5. The target device is also accessible via the Chrome Remote Desktop app for iOS and Android

I prefer Google's free* Chrome Remote Desktop for remote desktop connections over other paid software such as Splashtop or TeamViewer.

*Nothing in life is free

How to share your Mac's screen with your network

If you would like to view or control your Mac remotely from any device within the same network, here's how:

A. How to share the Mac's screen

1. Click the Apple icon on the top left corner of the screen
2. Click System Preferences...
3. Click Sharing
4. On the left panel, select Screen Sharing and click the box to its left to toggle it on
5. Click the Computer Settings... button, check both boxes, and include a password in the text field, and click OK
6. If desired, you may limit access by adding users under the Only these users window by clicking the + symbol
7. Take note of the message under the "Screen Sharing: On" text which reads "Other users can access your computer's screen at vnc://###.###.###.###/ or by looking for "[Computer Name]" in the Finder sidebar."

B. How to access the Mac's screen from another Mac

Preferred Method

1. Ensure your Mac is connected to the same network as the target Mac in section A
2. Click the magnifying glass at the top right corner of your screen to open the Spotlight Search bar
3. Type Screen Sharing and press return or click the app from the list
4. Under the "Connect To:" field, type in the entire vnc://###.###.###.###/ address provided in step 7 of section A and click Connect

Alternate Method

1. Ensure your Mac is connected to the same network as the target Mac in section A
2. Open a Finder window
3. Show the Sidebar by navigating to the menu bar at View / Show Sidebar
4. In the left Sidebar, click Network
5. Double-click the computer with the name provided in step 7 of section A 
6. Click the Share Screen... button on the top right
7. Enter the target Mac user's credentials and sign in

C. How to access the Mac's screen from a Windows or Linux computer

1. Download and install VNC® Viewer
2. Run VNC® Viewer
3. Ensure your computer is connected to the same network as the target Mac in section A
4. In the address bar, type in [Computer Name].local (name as provided in step 7 of section A, e.g. "MaccyMcMacface.local") and press enter/return
5. Click Continue and type in the user credentials to log on

D. How to access the Mac's screen from an iOS or Android device

1. Download VNC® Viewer for iOS or Android
2. Run VNC® Viewer
3. Ensure your iOS or Android device is connected to the same network as the target Mac in section A
4. Click the + icon to add the Mac 
5. In the address bar, type in ###.###.###.### (digits as provided in step 7 of section A, e.g. "192.168.1.100") and press enter/return
6. Click OK if an "Unencrypted connection" screen appears
7. In the Authentication screen, enter the password as provided in step 5 of section A to connect

E. Help, it's not connecting!

1. Is your device connected to the same network as the target Mac?
2. Is the target Mac powered on? Check its sleep settings under System Preferences/Battery (AKA Energy Saver) and disable the "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" setting
3. Check step 7 of section A to see if the address has changed. This may happen if your target Mac's network settings are configured for DHCP instead of static IP

Only activate this feature under a network you trust - or at the very least, create a very strong password in step 5 of section A

How to remotely control a Mac user's screen via Microsoft Teams or Zoom

Sometimes meeting software such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom are solid options for providing remote IT support. However, this will not work properly unless the presenter grants accessibility and screen recording privileges in their Mac preferences.

There is an easy fix for the presenter:

1. Click the Apple icon on the top left corner of the screen
2. Click System Preferences...
3. Click Security & Privacy
4. Click the Privacy tab
5. At the bottom left corner, click the lock to make changes
6. Input an administrator's credentials when prompted
7. In the left window, select Accessibility (and/or Screen Recording for macOS Catalina and macOS Big Sur)
8. In the right window, check boxes for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or any meeting software with screen share capabilities
9. At the bottom left corner of the window, click the lock to prevent further changes

To access control of the presenter's screen, ask the presenter to share their screen via the share screen buttons from their meeting software and request control.

This was tested and working on macOS High Sierra, macOS Mojave, macOS Catalina, and macOS Big Sur