Part 1 of this series covers general considerations and Apple-supported methods available for remote system control that will generally work on any version of Mac OS X (Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, and Leopard) – and even OS 9. This article addresses some commercial solutions that also support multiple OS versions, along with how to force-reboot a remote Mac. Part 3 examines new options provided by Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
LogMeIn Free
The Apple Remote is a remote control introduced in October 2005 by Apple Inc. For use with a number of its products with infrared capability. It was originally designed to control the Front Row media center program on the iMac G5 and is compatible with many subsequent Macintosh computers. The first three generations of Apple TV used the Apple Remote as their primary control mechanism.
For some Mac users, remote access software became a category to consider when Apple removed Back to My Mac from macOS Mojave, and it was completely turned off on July 1 of this year. Manage Mac computers on your network with Apple Remote Desktop (ARD). Learn more with these resources. Access Your Mac Remotely Through Apple’s Remote Desktop Software. The easiest way to ensure that you’ll be able to access your Mac from any location is to purchase Apple’s Remote Desktop software. However, before you can access your Mac remotely, you’ll need to configure your device for remote access using these simple steps. May 04, 2018 We tested remote access software by installing each app or service on four machines: desktops running Windows 10 and Windows 7, a laptop running Windows 7, and a Mac.
PC users have long enjoyed a variety of web-based services (free and paid) to control their desktops from afar, including the popular GoToMyPC service (a product of Citrix, the corporate remote PC giant). Fortunately some services are now Mac friendly: LogMeIn provides web-based remote control for PCs and Macs without needing to know the IP address of either machine or do any special firewall configurations.
LogMeIn Free (the only Mac service at the moment) supports screen sharing between Macs or cross platform. Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or newer is required on local and remote systems, and remote file transfers or system updates are not currently supported. Set up an account (with a strong password) on the LogMeIn website, then download the LogMeIn software. A menu icon (a series of dots in an arc near the clock) appears on the Mac to be controlled, and the shared (remote) system shows up in your list of available computers online.
When away, access your remote computer using a web browser. Safari and Firefox are both supported on the Mac and work equally well in my experience. The first time you try to control a remote system from your local Mac, you will be asked to install the LogMeIn web plugin and restart your browser. After installing it, go back to LogMeIn and click on the computer to be controlled.
A blue screen with a remote login dialog appears – enter the account name and password of the remote Mac here. You will finally be at the remote Mac’s control screen. Before clicking Remote Control on your Mac, I have found it best to first click Preferences –> Remote Control Settings and set the control method to use Java instead of ActiveX. Click Apply, then go ahead and use Remote Control.
In my experience LogMeIn has been speedy and reliable, with screen size scaling and no need to know the IP addresses of your local or remote computers. As of this writing (Jan. 2008), file transfers and remote updates are not yet supported, but the company has indicated that they are working on these options. In the meantime, as with VNC, you can use a shared disk or server accessible over the Internet or your local network to transfer data between the two computers.
The combination of VNC and LogMeIn currently provide my primary and secondary methods of remote control on many systems.
Timbuktu & Skype
Timbuktu is the granddaddy of Mac remote desktop solutions, going back to the days of dialup modems. Remarkably, this cross-platform software is still around and compatible up through Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. It’s a mature product, currently owned by Netopia (as of 2008, when this article was first published, and owned by ARRIS since 2013) with a clean interface and the ability to control Macs or PCs from Macs or PCs. Like Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), this makes it both a good single-user or network administration tool.
Timbuktu costs about $100 per computer, and separate copies are required on the local and remote systems (it checks serial numbers across the network). Remote screen sharing (with size scaling), file transfers, and updates are supported. On a local network or with an Internet connection with a fixed IP address, Timbuktu really shines. It also still supports dialup modems as a fallback when access is critical and speed a secondary consideration.
Timbuktu uses TCP port 407 for communication and (as with ARD and VNC) requires a static IP address and port forwarding through routers and firewalls. Access across VPNs is supported. If you don’t know the IP address of the remote computer or can’t perform local firewall configuration (a common situation), Timbuktu supports system location via Skype locator services.
Skype to the Rescue?
The popular (and free) Skype Internet call software uses it’s own locator engine and can traverse firewalls with no special configuration. As long as Skype services are permitted on your network, this provides an option for finding Timbuktu systems located behind dynamic IP addresses.
You must install Skype v2.5 or higher on both the local and remote Macs and setup a different Skype account on each. You can use an existing Skype account on one of the computers if you already have one. Once the account is created, launch Timbuktu on both computers and go to it’s little “double Mac” menu at the top right hand side of the Mac menu bar. Select the option for Timbuktu Access via Skype. You should then see Skype accounts listed in your Timbuktu Connection window.
On paper this sounds great; in practice I had mixed results. Under the best of conditions the remote system was more sluggish via Skype than with direct IP connections. At worst, the connection was unusable – crippling slow response, screen redraws freezing, and dropped connections. Performance seemed to vary with Skype traffic, time of day, and the bandwidth available. Eventually I found this combination too unreliable to use for business purposes, so now I only use Timbuktu with remote systems over LANs, VPNs, or with direct IP connections.
Reboot, I Command Thee
The ability to reboot your remote Mac can be critical, especially when nobody is around and the screen sharing software crashes (trust me, it happens). As an advanced fallback, turn on Remote Login (SSH) service on the remote computer (with a strong admin password), and make sure you have a way to access it (forward port 22 on routers and firewalls). In a worst-case scenario, you can use the Terminal application to force a reboot on the remote machine.
You must login to an administrator account on the remote Mac. Assume that your remote Mac has an account named remoteuser at address 10.20.30.40:
Methods of Mac Remote Control
This article was originally published on Adam’s Oakbog website. It has been adapted and reprinted here with his permission.
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Macs are amazing devices, that is why users tend to rely on them for the most part of their lives. From livelihood to important memories, as well as keeping in touch with people we love, the ever trusted Mac is an integral part of it. But what happens if your Mac isn’t physically around to help you? Fortunately, you can remotely access your Mac and gain of it using another Mac with internet access or even from a Windows PC. So, if you ever find yourself in a situation wherein you need data from your Mac sitting across the city or even halfway around the world, here’s how to access your Mac remotely:
Important: Make Sure Your Mac is Plugged In and Has Access to the Internet
The minimum requirements to access your Mac remotely are:
Access Your Mac Remotely Through Apple’s Remote Desktop SoftwareRemote Access For Mac
The easiest way to ensure that you’ll be able to access your Mac from any location is to purchase Apple’s Remote Desktop software. However, before you can access your Mac remotely, you’ll need to configure your device for remote access using these simple steps:
It’s important to note that Remote Desktop works best between two Macs on the same LAN. If you want to control your Mac through another computer connected to a different network using Remote Desktop, though it is certainly possible, the process is quite complicated. However, a more simple way to do this is to use Apple’s Back to My Mac service on iCloud.
Remotely Access Your Mac Online Using Back to My Mac
To use Apple’s Back to My Mac, follow these steps:
Once you’ve set up Back to My Mac on your Mac, you’ll be able to remotely access that device through any other Mac using Screen Sharing, File Sharing, or a third-party app called Screens Connect.
How to Remotely Access Your Mac Using Screen Sharing
With Screen Sharing, the screen on your Mac will be transmitted via the internet to the device you’re using. As such, it would be as if you’re sitting in front of your own Mac.
Screen sharing is a great option for when you want to access your Mac remotely. However, it can also come in handy when you want to help a friend out in another location who is also using a Mac. By setting up the Mac with an iCloud account, you can remotely access your friend’s Mac and perform any actions or troubleshooting steps required.
How to Remotely Access Your Mac Using File Sharing
Screen sharing may be a great way to remotely access your Mac from another location, but since sharing the screen does require a large bandwidth, it can be a cumbersome process especially in areas with a slow internet connection. If all you need are certain files on your Mac, using File Sharing would be a faster alternative.
However, you first need to ensure that File Sharing is enabled on your Mac by opening System Preferences and navigating to Sharing. You’ll then need to select the folders that you would likely need to access remotely.
How to Remotely Access Your Mac Using Screens Connect
If you’re a tech guru or at least have advanced knowledge in computer networking, then a trick you can try to remotely access your Mac is to use Remote Login. However, this procedure requires a static IP address, knowledge about your router, and knowledge in port forwarding.
If you don’t want to be bothered with all the technicalities of a Remote Login, a much simpler option would be to use a third-party application called Screens Connect. With this app, you won’t need to worry about all the technical mumbo-jumbo. All you need is an account and internet access.
It’s important to note that Screens is a Virtual Networking Computing (VNC) client. VNC works by setting up a VNC server, which would be the Mac you’ll need to control remotely, and then using another computer or mobile device to control it through Screens Connect. To get started, follow these simple steps:
Screens Connect is a great program to log in easily to your Mac remotely, but you will not be able to use it if your Mac is behind a corporate firewall. So, if your Mac is in the office and your company has deployed a firewall, then this will block any remote login attempts from the Screens app.
How to Make Sure That You Can Access Your Mac Remotely All the Time
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just want to ensure that you have access to the files on your Mac if you’re in another location, it’s imperative that you learn how to access your Mac remotely using different options. However, it’s also important that your Mac is in perfect condition at all times, so if the time comes to access it remotely, you’ll be able to do it without any technical glitches.
One way to ensure that your Mac is in perfect working order is to run 3rd party cleaning tools like Tweakbit MacRepair from time to time. Tweakbit MacRepair not only cleans your Mac of any unwanted or useless files but also optimizes it so it will be at its best performance at all times, especially when you need to access it remotely.
Apple Mac Remote Control Software ReviewsDOWNLOAD NOW!If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.Comments are closed.
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December 2020
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