Control Mac From iPhone/iPad: A Simple Guide

Within the Sharing preferences, check the box adjacent to the Screen Sharing service. With the service now active, you can restrict access to specific users or broaden it to include anyone, although login credentials will still be required for access.

To grant access to a user, click the "+" symbol located at the bottom of the user list. Conversely, to remove a user, click the "-".

It’s important to record the IP address displayed under "Screen Sharing: On". For example, our Mac’s IP address is 192.168.0.118.

Clicking the "Edit" button allows you to establish a password for VNC viewers, granting them control over the screen. Otherwise, they will only be able to view the screen’s contents.

Setting Up the Connection on Your iOS Device

The Mac-side configuration is now complete. Next, a VNC client must be downloaded onto your iOS device. We recommend VNC Viewer, as it is free and user-friendly.

After installing VNC Viewer, tap the "+" icon in the upper-right corner of the screen to create a new connection.

Enter the Mac’s IP address into the Address field. You can name the connection as desired; we used the computer’s name for clarity.

Tap the "i" symbol on your new connection to verify the settings.

Here, you can adjust the picture quality based on your connection speed and enable "View Only" mode. You can also clear saved connection passwords by tapping "Forget Sensitive Data".

The "Edit" button in the connection settings allows you to modify the address, name, or delete the connection entirely.

Connecting to Your Mac

To initiate the connection, tap the connection within the VNC Viewer screen. A warning will appear regarding the unencrypted connection, with an option to be notified each time you connect. Tap "Connect" to proceed.

Enter the password you set on your Mac. You can choose to save the password for future use.

A helpful gesture guide will be displayed upon the first connection. This guide can be accessed at any time via the control bar at the screen’s top.

This is the login screen for your Mac. An account is required to access the computer. Drag the mouse pointer to the text box to enter your password, then tap the keyboard icon on the control bar to type.

Understanding the Control Bar

Now that you are logged in, let’s examine the control bar. From left to right, you can pin or unpin the bar, show or hide the keyboard, and access the mouse controls.

The mouse controls emulate the upper row of keyboard controls, with a specialized mouse function in the lower-right corner.

The horizontal bottom section is divided into left, middle, and right click areas. The vertical slider allows scrolling through documents and webpages.

The question mark icon displays the help screen, and the "X" disconnects the session. The "i" icon provides connection information, allowing you to adjust picture quality or switch to view-only mode.

To disconnect another device, click the screen sharing icon in the menu bar and select the disconnect option.

The setup is simple, requiring minimal configuration. This feature is ideal for small tasks and remote adjustments. You can also connect to your Mac from a Windows computer using VNC.

Related: How to Access Your Mac's Screen from Windows (and Vice-Versa)

While controlling your Mac with an iPhone or iPad may not be the most convenient method, it’s useful for quick tasks without needing to physically approach the computer. For example, you can easily manage music playback or close applications remotely.