Need to access a computer from another desktop or mobile device? Learn how to establish a connection using Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop with these steps.

In the past, remote computer access often required expensive software and technical expertise. However, with Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop service, the process has become remarkably straightforward. This free service allows users to connect to any computer—whether it’s running Windows, Mac, Linux, or ChromeOS—from virtually any desktop or mobile device. Users can access all files and applications on the remote system and navigate it as if they were physically present.

Chrome Remote Desktop has a wide range of applications, from accessing one’s own personal or work computer remotely to providing remote assistance to others, such as coworkers or family members, without needing to be physically present.

Setting up Chrome Remote Desktop is incredibly simple. Users only need to decide on the type of connection they prefer and then follow a few quick steps to establish the connection. It’s worth noting that Chrome Remote Desktop may not be compatible with company-managed Google Workspace accounts, as this is typically determined by the IT department.

Using Chrome Remote Desktop to access your own computer

Step 1: Prepare the host computer for remote access

To enable access to your computer from another desktop or mobile device, begin by launching Chrome on the host computer. If Chrome isn’t already installed, download and install it on your Windows, Mac, or Linux system.

Once Chrome is open, navigate to the “Remote Access” section within Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop web app. Look for the circular blue arrow icon inside the box labeled “Set up remote access” and click on it. (If you encounter a blue button labeled “Turn On” instead of the arrow icon, you can proceed to the next step.)

You will then be prompted to download the Chrome Remote Desktop extension. Follow the prompt, click the blue “Add to Chrome” button on the resulting page, and confirm your intention to proceed. After the extension is installed, return to the original tab and click the “Turn On” button mentioned earlier. If you don’t see the button, try refreshing the page, and it should appear.

Once you’ve assigned a name to the computer and clicked the “Next” button, you’ll be prompted to create a PIN consisting of at least six digits. This PIN, along with being signed into your Google account, is required for remote access to the computer for security reasons. Google assures that all Remote Desktop sessions are encrypted for added protection.

After setting up the PIN, your operating system may display a warning asking for confirmation to allow the app access to initiate a remote connection. Some versions of macOS may also require you to grant permissions to Chrome Remote Desktop in System Preferences. Once confirmed, the Chrome Remote Desktop tab will indicate that the computer is online and ready for remote connections.

The computer will remain accessible whenever it’s powered on and Chrome is running. Since Chrome typically launches automatically and runs in the background, remote access will likely be available whenever the computer is active. However, to ensure uninterrupted access for an extended period, adjust your computer’s power management settings to prevent it from entering hibernation mode, even if the display turns off.

To disable remote connections, visit remotedesktop.google.com/access or click the Chrome Remote Desktop icon in your browser’s extension menu (the puzzle-shaped icon next to the address bar). From there, you can remove your computer from the app by clicking the trash can icon next to its name. Alternatively, you can uninstall the extension entirely by clicking the three-dot menu icon next to its icon in the Chrome extension menu and selecting “Remove from Chrome.”

Step 2: Connect to the computer from another desktop or mobile device

Now that your host computer is ready for connections, accessing it from another desktop or mobile device is a breeze. Simply open the Chrome browser and navigate to the same Remote Desktop website you used to set up the host computer: remotedesktop.google.com/access. Make sure you’re signed into Chrome with the same Google account you used on the host system.

Once on the website, you’ll see your computer’s name listed. Click on it to initiate the connection. You won’t need to install any additional apps or extensions; the connection process is entirely web-based.

After clicking your computer’s name, you’ll be prompted to enter the PIN you created earlier. Once authenticated, you’ll gain access to your computer’s desktop. From there, you can navigate, click, and run applications just as if you were physically sitting in front of the computer.

A panel on the side of the screen provides options for adjusting the display, executing commands such as Ctrl-Alt-Del, and transferring files between the connected systems. If you don’t see this panel immediately, look for a translucent left-facing arrow at the far-right edge of the window and click it to reveal the panel.

Moreover, you can seamlessly copy text from one computer (using Ctrl-C) and paste it onto the other (using Ctrl-V). This feature allows for smooth interaction between the connected systems.

For mobile access, you’ll need to download the Chrome Remote Desktop app for either iOS or Android. Once installed, ensure that your phone or tablet is logged into the same Google account used on your computer.

Upon launching the app, you’ll automatically see your remote computer listed. With just a quick tap and the entry of your PIN, you can establish a connection.

Once connected, you can navigate your desktop using intuitive touch gestures. For instance, you can move the cursor by swiping your fingers across the screen, scroll by using two fingers together, and zoom by pinching or spreading two fingers apart.

In the Android app, you’ll find a control bar at the top of the screen. This bar allows you to switch between different input modes, such as “Trackpad mode” and “Direct touch mode,” where every touch on your screen is mirrored on the remote computer. Additionally, there are combination trackpad-touch modes available for a hybrid experience. You can also activate a keyboard mode to bring up your device’s on-screen keyboard for text input.

Similarly, in the iOS Chrome Remote Desktop app, these controls are accessible via a menu button located in the lower-right corner of the screen. Simply tap the button to reveal the options and adjust your preferences accordingly.

While Chrome Remote Desktop provides convenient access to your computer, it may not offer the most refined user experience for intensive tasks. However, it proves incredibly useful for completing quick tasks, such as rebooting your system remotely or retrieving files that were not saved to the cloud.

Using Chrome Remote Desktop to access someone else’s computer

Step 1: Prepare the computer for connections

If your goal is to view someone else’s screen remotely, setting up Chrome Remote Desktop involves a slightly different process. Since you won’t be physically present at the host computer, you’ll need to provide these instructions to the individual who will be there to complete this part of the setup.

Begin by accessing the “Support” section of Google’s Remote Desktop web app on the computer you wish to be accessed remotely. Look for the circular blue arrow within the box labeled “Share this screen.” Click on it, then proceed to click “Add to Chrome” in the window that appears. Confirm your intent to install the Chrome Remote Desktop companion extension. If you don’t see the blue arrow, it means the extension is already installed, and you can proceed to the next step.

Return to your original tab, where you’ll encounter a prompt directing you to click a “Generate Code” button to grant someone else access. If you don’t immediately see the button, simply refresh the page, and it should appear.

Clicking the “Generate Code” button will generate a one-time access code, which will be valid for only five minutes. Share this code with the individual you wish to grant access to—whether via phone, email, text message, or any other suitable method—and then await their connection.

Step 2: Connect to the computer from another desktop

Once you’ve obtained the access code and are prepared to establish a connection, simply open Google Chrome on any other computer and navigate to remotedesktop.google.com/support. In the “Give Support” box, input the access code, then click the “Connect” button to initiate the connection.

(For mobile device connections, you’ll need to open a new tab within Chrome on your phone, select the option in the browser’s main menu to request the desktop version of the site, and then access the same link from there. Keep in mind that the Chrome Remote Desktop mobile app exclusively works with connections associated with your own Google account and cannot be utilized for this purpose.)

The individual on the receiving end will need to manually authorize the connection by clicking a button (macOS users may also need to grant permissions in System Preferences), after which you’ll be connected to their computer. You can then navigate and control their system just as described in the initial part of this guide.

It’s as simple as that!