Two Ways to Remote Desktop from iOS to Windows

Can you remote desktop from iPhone/iPad to PC?

“I work 24/7, which means my boss always needs me to deal with some urgent issues even after work. And sometimes I may need some important files on my office computer. I wonder if I can remote desktop from my iPhone, or my iPad to my work PC. So I can deal with my work anywhere anytime, as I always bring my iPhone and iPad with me.

- Question from Reddit”

Three ways to remote desktop from iOS to Windows [3 options]

Actually, lots of remote access tools allow you to remote desktop from iOS to Windows. Here, we’ll take AnyViewer (the best RD Client alternative), Windows RD Client, and Chrome Remote Desktop as examples to show you how to connect to Windows from iOS devices.

Option 1. Use AnyViewer to connect to Windows from iPhone/iPad

As the way to connect to Windows from iPhone and iPad using AnyViewer is exactly the same, here we'll take iPhone as an example. Before using AnyViewer, you need to do the following preparation work:

Part 1. Enable remote access on Windows computer

Step 1. Download, install and launch AnyViewer on the Windows computer.

Step 2. Go to Log in, and then click Sign up. (If you already have signed up on its official website, you can log in directly.)

Step 3. Fill in the signup information.

Step 4. Then you can see you successfully logged in to AnyViewer. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you've logged in to.

Part 2. Achieve unattended remote access on iPhone

Step 1. Download and install AnyViewer for iOS on your iPhone, then open it and log in to the same account you've logged in to the computer. 

Step 2. Then all the devices that have been logged in to the same account will be displayed here. Choose the device that you want to control.

Step 3. Click One-click control to achieve unattended remote access to the specific computer.

Step 4. Then you'll be successfully connecting your iPhone to Windows 7. It supports both vertical and horizontal screens, you can switch freely.

Option 2. Use Windows RD Client to connect to Windows from iPhone

The steps of using Windows RD Client (Remote Desktop Connection) connecting iPhone to Windows 10 are divided into two parts:

• Set up Windows Remote Desktop on Windows.
• Set up RD Client on iPhone.

Part 1. Set up Windows Remote Desktop on Windows

Step 1. Press Win + R, then type in “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter to open System Properties.

Step 2. Go to the Remote tab, and tick Allow remote connection to this computer.

Step 3. In addition, you need the IP address and user name. Search for Command Prompt in the Search box, and then click Run as administrator.

Step 4. Type in “ipconfig” and press Enter. Find IPv4 address, it is the one you needed.

Step 5. Then type in “query user” to get the username.

Part 2. Set up RD Client on iPhone

Step 1. Download and open RD Client on your iPhone.

Step 2. In the upper right corner, find and click the “+” sign, then select Add PC.

Step 3. Click PC name.

Step 4. Enter the hostname or IP address of the remote computer.

Step 5. Click User Name.

Step 6. If you often need to remotely control a PC from iPhone, it is recommended that you select Add User Account. If you are not, you can choose the default Ask When Required.

Step 7. Back to the main interface and click the IP address icon just created, enter the user name and password of the controlled computer in the pop-up Enter Your User Account window, and click Continue to successfully establish the connection.

Step 8. Then you can control your Windows PC from your iPhone.

 Note: RD Client can also be used on iPad, you only need to follow the same steps as you do on your iPhone.

Option 3. Use Chrome Remote Desktop to connect to Windows from iPad

The steps of using Windows Remote Desktop to connect to Windows from iPhone are divided into two parts:

• Set up Chrome Remote Desktop on Windows.
• Set up Chrome Remote Desktop App on iPad.

Part 1. Set up Chrome Remote Desktop on Windows

Step 1. Open the Chrome Remote Desktop web page and click on Access my computer button.

Step 2. Click on the blue download icon to set up remote access.

Step 3. Click on Add to Chrome to add the Chrome Remote Desktop in your Chrome browser.

Step 4. Click on Accept & Install to install it.

Step 5. Enter a name for your computer and then click Next.

Step 6. Choose a PIN with at least 6 numbers, and then enter it twice to start the program.

Part 2. Set up Chrome Remote Desktop App on iPad

Step 1. Download Chrome Remote Desktop on your iPad, and log in to the same Google account as on the Windows PC. Open the App and find the Windows PC that needs to be connected.

Step 2. Enter the PIN code set on the remote computer and click the arrow icon to achieve remote control over Google Chrome Remote Desktop on iPad.

Note: Chrome Remote Desktop can also be used on iPhone; the steps are pretty much the same as you do on your iPad.

Conclusion

How to remote desktop from iOS to Windows? In this post, we introduce three remote access tools that enable you to remotely connect to Windows PC from your iPhone or iPad. You can make a comparison of them after learning their connection methods and choose one to use according to your own needs.