How can I remotely access my PC from my Android phone or iPhone? This is a question on the lips of many smartphone users, and I am going to provide a solution or answer today.

With the hundreds of tools available to modern users, it has become even easier to integrate systems and control electronic devices with third-party tools. An example is the possibility of a person being able to browse and access their PC remotely through a simple smartphone. Today, we’re going to show you how it works.

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To access your PC or notebook remotely, you must first configure it for such functionality. So first of all, do the following steps on your desktop with the Microsoft Windows operating system installed.

Important: your operating system will display the functionalities explained in this text and can be used remotely from Windows 7, in its Pro or Enterprise versions.

Configuring your PC

Before we actually start, it’s worth noting that our tutorial shows no screenshots. You just have to follow along with the steps using your own PC.

It’s possible that some features may not be arranged exactly as we pointed out here in your own system using another version of the Windows Operating System. This is because we are teaching with a Windows 11 PC and the arrangement of tabs may vary with yours. However, don’t worry, the general scheme is the same.

Step 1: Tap once on the “Start Menu” located in the lower left corner of the screen, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.

Step 2: Open “Settings” If the icon is not visible in your menu lists or displays, just type “settings” in the search bar. This action will bring up the option and you can select Settings from the list of search results.

Step 3: Access the “System” option, the first option in the window that will open.

Step 4: In the left sidebar of the opened window, click on “Remote Desktop.”

Step 5: Click the “Enable Remote Desktop” option . Press “Confirm” in the small window that appears to switch on the Remote Desktop functionality.

Step 6: To use the functionality safely, click on the “Advanced Settings” option (in the same row as Remote Desktop, in the case of Windows 11) that will appear after enabling the previous one and make sure the option for “Configure Network Level Authentication” is checked.

Note: If you are connecting to a computer through the same network with a VPN, just ignore the “External Connections” part . Your computer will find the best connection port to be accessed remotely.

Your computer is now ready to be accessed remotely via your Android phone or iPhone! If you use a Microsoft account or corporate account on the Windows in question, your best bet is to use that at all times as well.

If you want to grant access to other accounts, in the “Remote Desktop” section, there is the clickable option “Select users who can remotely access this computer“. Click the “Add” button and then add the name of the user who will access the computer .

How can I remotely access my PC from my Android phone?

To access your PC via an Android device, download the Remote Desktop 8 application from the Google Play Store. This is how your computer will be accessed remotely.

Download and install Remote Desktop 8

Step 1: Open the app and accept the app’s terms and usage policies .

Step 2: Click on the small “+” icon in the upper right corner and then on “Add PC“. Wait for your PC to be detected by the app in the list that opens and fills itself. In case it is not recognized, you can manually add it in under “Add Manually” .

Note: The app may ask for Bluetooth, camera, and microphone permissions.

Step 3: On the Add Computer screen, you can configure remote PC access . Fill in the first field (“Computer Name“) with the exact name of your computer or your IP address. The default name coming from Windows (or renamed by you) can be accessed on the same PC screen in Settings, in “How to connect to this computer” or in “PC/device name“. It is recommended that you write it down if you need it for later.

Note: Always keep the “User Account” with the option “Ask When Necessary” selected, ensuring more security.

Step 4: In “Friendly Name,” write a title that will be fixed when accessing the mobile device only at the discretion of your personal recognition. The “Admin Mode” option is only to connect you to the management of a Windows server, so you can leave it disabled normally.

Use the gateway section only if your company uses a Remote Desktop Gateway to secure remote connections like this.

Step 5: Use the “Device and Audio Redirection” options at will so that you access every desired functionality from your desktop remotely during remote connection. When done, you can press Save.

Step 6: Press “Connect” in the upper right corner of the screen . At this point, the button will already be enabled.

Step 7: Set the permissions of the resources that Remote Desktop will have access to and press the “Connect” button.

Step 8: The app will recognize your computer’s gateway and ask for your username and password . If you don’t use a password to open your computer, just ignore the password field. This login is the same one you use to open your desktop , that is, access the operating system after turning on the computer. You can look up your username in Windows under “Settings” > “Accounts” > “PC Information“.

Step 9: After the previous steps, your device should connect to your desktop, and you are now remotely accessing your PC from an Android phone. Now just browse and move at will, taking advantage of your computer through the established remote connection.

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How can I remotely access my PC from my iPhone and iPad?

To access your machine via Apple devices, download the Remote Desktop Mobile app from the App Store. This is how your computer will be accessed remotely.

Download and install the Remote Desktop Mobile App

Step 1: Open the app and hit the small “+” icon in the upper right corner . Then select “Add 

Note: The app may ask for Bluetooth, camera, and microphone permissions.

Step 2: On the Add PC screen, you can configure remote PC access . Fill in the first field (“Computer Name“) with the exact name of your computer or your IP address. The default name coming from Windows (or renamed by you) can be accessed on the same PC screen in Settings, in “How to connect to this computer” or in “PC/device name“. It is recommended that you write it down if you need it for later.

Note: Always keep the “User Account” with the option “Ask When Necessary” selected to ensure more security.

Step 3: In “Friendly Name,” write a title that will be fixed when accessing the mobile device only at the discretion of your personal recognition. The switch of the “Admin Mode” option is only for connecting you to the management of a Windows server, so you can leave it disabled normally.

Use the gateway section only if your company uses a Remote Desktop Gateway to secure remote connections like this.

Step 4: Use the “Device and Audio Redirection” options at will so that you access every desired functionality from your desktop remotely during remote connection.

Step 5: Press “Save” in the upper right corner of the screen . At this point, the button will already be enabled.

Step 6: Afterwards, the registered computer should appear in the application’s home in the form of a card . Press that card and proceed to the next step.

Step 7: The app will recognize your computer’s gateway and will ask for your username and password . If you don’t use a password to open your computer, just ignore the password field. This login is the same one you use to open your desktop, that is, access the operating system after turning on the computer. You can look up your username in Windows under “Settings” > “Accounts” > “PC Information” .

Step 8: After the previous steps, you can now remotely access your PC using your iPhone device. Now just browse and move at will, taking advantage of your computer through the established remote connection.

On both smartphone OS, you can bring up the keyboard (button on the right) of your mobile device, zoom in on the screen (button on the left), and view the current remote connection (center button) in the icons pinned to the center and top.

Through this central button, it is still possible to return to home, where you can access other remote connections through the application. Use the hand icon to change to touch-screen mode and use the mouse icon to change back to mouse mode.

To close the remote connection, simply press the X in the upper right corner of the connection rectangle displayed in the same menu bar. You can also click on “Disconnect All Sessions from PC” , which closes all currently connected sessions.

At the home of the application, on both Android and iPhone, if you want to edit any configuration of this access created, just hold the touch on the created icon of the added PC and touch “Edit“. By doing the same, you can delete the access created in the “Delete” button .

Make the most of the convenience that this type of remote access can offer. I hope this tutorial was useful for your daily life or, who knows, for your enthusiasm for technology. If you have any questions along the way, let us know in the comments!

Source: PC MAG