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How to Use Chrome Remote Desktop

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Introduction

Chrome Remote Desktop provides a simple, easy, and quick way to access your desktop computer while on-the-go with your smartphone or tablet, or simply allows you to display your desktop's screen on your smartphone or tablet.
Before You Begin:
GoogleGoogle Account
You must have a Google Account set up.
Chrome Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
You must have the Chrome Remote Desktop application and Chrome browser app setup.
Chrome Remote Desktop

1 Connect to Remote Computer

You can connect to your remote computer using a wide variety of other devices, but each is slightly different.

Make sure your remote computer is left on and connected to the Internet. You will be using your remote device to connect to it.

Select the type of device you're using to connect to your remote computer from.

WindowsWindows
  1. Open Google Chrome, and select the Chrome Remote Desktop App from the top right.
    Google Chrome
    Chrome browser on Windows with Chrome Remote Desktop highlighted.
  2. Select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote desktop page with remote machine highlighted.
  3. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device and click the arrow or press Enter.
    PIN entry dialog with PIN and arrow highlighted.
  4. You will see your remote desktop open and can use it directly within the window using your mouse and keyboard.
    Windows showing connection to remote computer.
AppleApple macOS
  1. Open Google Chrome, and select the Chrome Remote Desktop App from the top.
    Google Chrome
    Chrome browser with Chrome Remote Desktop app highlighted.
  2. Select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote Desktop with remote device highlighted.
  3. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device.
    Authentication prompt with PIN highlighted.
  4. You will see your remote desktop open and can use it directly within the window using your mouse and keyboard.
    macOS showing remote connected computer
AndroidAndroid
  1. Open the Chrome Remote Desktop App, and select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote Desktop
    Chrome Remote Desktop app with remote device highlighted.
  2. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device, and select Connect.
    PIN prompt with PIN an Connect highlighted.
  3. Your remote device will display on your screen, and you can scroll around and use your device with touch controls.
    Android showing remote screen
AppleApple iOS
  1. Open the Chrome Remote Desktop App, and select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote Desktop
    Chrome Remote Desktop with remote machine highlighted.
  2. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device.
    PIN Prompt with PIN entry highlighted.
  3. Your remote device will display on your screen, and you can scroll around and use your device with touch controls.
    Remote desktop displayed on mobile device.

2 Controls

Once connected, there are some special controls available for working with your remote computer.

Expand the section below for the device you're connecting with for more details.

WindowsAppleWindows or macOS

You can access the menu by selecting the arrow floating on the right.
Settings Drawer

Computer Options
Pin
PushpinThe pushpin at the top will allow you to keep this menu open.
Disconnect
Disconnects from the remote computer.
Full-screen
Fills your screen with the remote computer. Push the F11 key on your keyboard to exit full screen.
Scale to fit
Keeps the whole remote desktop screen visible in your browser window.
Resize to fit
Resizes the remote display to fit the window.
Smooth scaling
Makes the display smoother. This can make some text difficult to read on the remote computer, and turning it off may help in some cases.
Press "Ctrl+Alt+Del"
Some remote computers require you to press the Control, Alt, and Delete keys in combination for logging on or other functions. Because this is a very common combination of keys on all computers, it normally won't be sent to the remote computer. This will send that key combo to the remote computer.
Press "Print Screen"
Much like Ctrl+Alt+Del, the Print Screen key won't normally be sent. This option allows you to send that key to the remote computer.
Press "F11"
F11 will make the remote display full-screen normally. If you need to send this key to your remote computer, use this menu option.
Enable/Disable clipboard synchronization
You can enable this to let you copy information from your local computer to your remote computer and vice versa.
Configure key mappings
If you have some advanced programs, you may wish to make certain keys perform other functions that would work better over the remote connection. For example, if you constantly need to push F11 or another reserved key, or if the keyboard layout is different, such as controlling a macOS computer from Windows and you need to use the Apple key which your Windows computer does not have. You can customize the keys here.
Press and hold left shift to access options
A fast way to access this option screen is by pushing and holding Shift, but some remote programs need that feature, too. This allows you to enable or disable the special way that is handled.
Show all displays
If your remote or local computer have multiple displays, this area will let you choose how to show your multiple screens, and where to show them.
Upload file
Send a file to your remote computer.
Download file
Receive a file from your remote computer to your local computer.
Help
Displays further help and information about using the remote connection.
Send Feedback
If you have comments or suggestions to make screen share better, you can use this option to ask Google for those features.
Privacy & Terms
Displays the terms of use and privacy policy for Chrome Remote Desktop.
Stats for nerds
Shows highly technical information about the connection, which can be useful to Google engineers during troubleshooting if there are problems.
AndroidAndroid
Swipe down from the top of your Android device to open the menu.
Android Chrome Remote Access toolbar
Touch Mode
Touch ModeThis mode lets you interact and use your remote computer more akin to how you use your smartphone. You touch an icon or menu once to open them, and the mouse cursor 'jumps' to where you touch instantly.
Mouse Mode
Mouse ModeYou will see a small mouse cursor on the screen, and you can swipe your finger on your Android device screen to move the mouse like a touchpad. You will need to double-tap the screen to open icons, etc.
Menu Options
Select the menu in the top-right to access these options.Android Menu
Send Ctrl-Alt-Del
Some remote computers require you to press the Control, Alt, and Delete keys in combination for logging on or other functions. Because this is a very common combination of keys on all computers, it normally won't be sent to the remote computer. This will send that key combo to the remote computer.
Resize desktop to fit
Resizes your remote computer's desktop to fit on your Android device. This can be very helpful if you're using Chrome Remote Desktop on a smartphone.
Disconnect
Disconnects from the remote computer.
Help
Displays further help and information about using the remote connection.
AppleApple iOS

Select the menu icon in the bottom corner to access these options.
iOS Menu Icon

iOS Chrome Remote Desktop Menu
Show keyboard
Shows the keyboard to type things in.
Trackpad / Mouse mode
Lets you switch between Mouse mode (controlling your remote computer by touching icons) and Trackpad mode (controlling your remote computer by swiping to move the mouse cursor around).
Disconnect
Disconnects from the remote computer.
Settings
Opens further settings for how your remote connection works.
Dock Left / Right
Moves the menu icon to the left or right of the screen.

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Chrome Remote Desktop provides a simple, easy, and quick way to access your desktop computer while on-the-go with your smartphone or tablet, or simply allows you to display your desktop's screen on your smartphone or tablet.
Before You Begin:
GoogleGoogle Account
You must have a Google Account set up.
Chrome Remote DesktopChrome Remote Desktop
You must have the Chrome Remote Desktop application and Chrome browser app setup.
Chrome Remote Desktop

You can connect to your remote computer using a wide variety of other devices, but each is slightly different.

Make sure your remote computer is left on and connected to the Internet. You will be using your remote device to connect to it.

Select the type of device you're using to connect to your remote computer from.

WindowsWindows
  1. Open Google Chrome, and select the Chrome Remote Desktop App from the top right.
    Google Chrome
    Chrome browser on Windows with Chrome Remote Desktop highlighted.
  2. Select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote desktop page with remote machine highlighted.
  3. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device and click the arrow or press Enter.
    PIN entry dialog with PIN and arrow highlighted.
  4. You will see your remote desktop open and can use it directly within the window using your mouse and keyboard.
    Windows showing connection to remote computer.
AppleApple macOS
  1. Open Google Chrome, and select the Chrome Remote Desktop App from the top.
    Google Chrome
    Chrome browser with Chrome Remote Desktop app highlighted.
  2. Select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote Desktop with remote device highlighted.
  3. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device.
    Authentication prompt with PIN highlighted.
  4. You will see your remote desktop open and can use it directly within the window using your mouse and keyboard.
    macOS showing remote connected computer
AndroidAndroid
  1. Open the Chrome Remote Desktop App, and select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote Desktop
    Chrome Remote Desktop app with remote device highlighted.
  2. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device, and select Connect.
    PIN prompt with PIN an Connect highlighted.
  3. Your remote device will display on your screen, and you can scroll around and use your device with touch controls.
    Android showing remote screen
AppleApple iOS
  1. Open the Chrome Remote Desktop App, and select the Remote Device you'd like to control from the list.
    Chrome Remote Desktop
    Chrome Remote Desktop with remote machine highlighted.
  2. Enter the PIN you setup on your remote device.
    PIN Prompt with PIN entry highlighted.
  3. Your remote device will display on your screen, and you can scroll around and use your device with touch controls.
    Remote desktop displayed on mobile device.

Once connected, there are some special controls available for working with your remote computer.

Expand the section below for the device you're connecting with for more details.

WindowsAppleWindows or macOS

You can access the menu by selecting the arrow floating on the right.
Settings Drawer

Computer Options
Pin
PushpinThe pushpin at the top will allow you to keep this menu open.
Disconnect
Disconnects from the remote computer.
Full-screen
Fills your screen with the remote computer. Push the F11 key on your keyboard to exit full screen.
Scale to fit
Keeps the whole remote desktop screen visible in your browser window.
Resize to fit
Resizes the remote display to fit the window.
Smooth scaling
Makes the display smoother. This can make some text difficult to read on the remote computer, and turning it off may help in some cases.
Press "Ctrl+Alt+Del"
Some remote computers require you to press the Control, Alt, and Delete keys in combination for logging on or other functions. Because this is a very common combination of keys on all computers, it normally won't be sent to the remote computer. This will send that key combo to the remote computer.
Press "Print Screen"
Much like Ctrl+Alt+Del, the Print Screen key won't normally be sent. This option allows you to send that key to the remote computer.
Press "F11"
F11 will make the remote display full-screen normally. If you need to send this key to your remote computer, use this menu option.
Enable/Disable clipboard synchronization
You can enable this to let you copy information from your local computer to your remote computer and vice versa.
Configure key mappings
If you have some advanced programs, you may wish to make certain keys perform other functions that would work better over the remote connection. For example, if you constantly need to push F11 or another reserved key, or if the keyboard layout is different, such as controlling a macOS computer from Windows and you need to use the Apple key which your Windows computer does not have. You can customize the keys here.
Press and hold left shift to access options
A fast way to access this option screen is by pushing and holding Shift, but some remote programs need that feature, too. This allows you to enable or disable the special way that is handled.
Show all displays
If your remote or local computer have multiple displays, this area will let you choose how to show your multiple screens, and where to show them.
Upload file
Send a file to your remote computer.
Download file
Receive a file from your remote computer to your local computer.
Help
Displays further help and information about using the remote connection.
Send Feedback
If you have comments or suggestions to make screen share better, you can use this option to ask Google for those features.
Privacy & Terms
Displays the terms of use and privacy policy for Chrome Remote Desktop.
Stats for nerds
Shows highly technical information about the connection, which can be useful to Google engineers during troubleshooting if there are problems.
AndroidAndroid
Swipe down from the top of your Android device to open the menu.
Android Chrome Remote Access toolbar
Touch Mode
Touch ModeThis mode lets you interact and use your remote computer more akin to how you use your smartphone. You touch an icon or menu once to open them, and the mouse cursor 'jumps' to where you touch instantly.
Mouse Mode
Mouse ModeYou will see a small mouse cursor on the screen, and you can swipe your finger on your Android device screen to move the mouse like a touchpad. You will need to double-tap the screen to open icons, etc.
Menu Options
Select the menu in the top-right to access these options.Android Menu
Send Ctrl-Alt-Del
Some remote computers require you to press the Control, Alt, and Delete keys in combination for logging on or other functions. Because this is a very common combination of keys on all computers, it normally won't be sent to the remote computer. This will send that key combo to the remote computer.
Resize desktop to fit
Resizes your remote computer's desktop to fit on your Android device. This can be very helpful if you're using Chrome Remote Desktop on a smartphone.
Disconnect
Disconnects from the remote computer.
Help
Displays further help and information about using the remote connection.
AppleApple iOS

Select the menu icon in the bottom corner to access these options.
iOS Menu Icon

iOS Chrome Remote Desktop Menu
Show keyboard
Shows the keyboard to type things in.
Trackpad / Mouse mode
Lets you switch between Mouse mode (controlling your remote computer by touching icons) and Trackpad mode (controlling your remote computer by swiping to move the mouse cursor around).
Disconnect
Disconnects from the remote computer.
Settings
Opens further settings for how your remote connection works.
Dock Left / Right
Moves the menu icon to the left or right of the screen.

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