Support — Remote Desktop

Remote Desktop lets you see and control your Mac or Windows computer from your iPhone or iPad. Here's how to get set up and where to get help.

Need help or found a bug?

Open an issue on our GitHub support page and we'll get back to you. Please include your device model, iOS version, and whether your computer is a Mac or Windows PC.

Getting started

Frequently asked questions

Why can't my device find my computer?

Both devices must be signed in to the same Apple Account. Double-check the iCloud account on each, make sure the host app is open, and keep both devices online while automatic pairing finishes.

My computer says it is ready, but the device is still pairing.

Keep the host open and confirm both devices use the same Apple Account. Automatic pairing uses the account's private CloudKit database and normally finishes without any code or copied secret. Restarting the host refreshes its private advertisement if it became stale.

The connection won't establish.

For the most reliable connection, put your device and your computer on the same Wi-Fi network. Some restrictive or public networks block the direct connection the app needs.

Does an AI task go through iCloud?

No. CloudKit can help your devices discover and enroll each other, negotiate a remote screen, and report AI component setup progress. After enrollment, prompts, conversation, task status and results, controls, and approvals use only the authenticated local-network connection to your Mac. If that secure local channel is unavailable, the task stops instead of falling back to CloudKit. Screen pixels and direct input use the separate WebRTC connection, while planning and visual grounding stay on the Mac.

Is local AI Computer Use fully release-validated?

It is a beta feature. The strict automatic-enrollment and local task-channel implementation has automated coverage, but its final signed Release end-to-end acceptance is still pending. The app must report an unavailable local channel rather than silently changing transports.

What permissions does the host app need?

On macOS, the host app needs Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions so it can share the screen and accept your input. Windows uses the built-in screen capture and input features.

Is it free?

Yes. There is no separate Remote Desktop account, subscription, or fee. Pairing does use the Apple Account already signed in to iCloud on both devices.

Is it private?

Yes — your screen, audio, and input stream directly between your own devices, and pairing only works within your own Apple Account. See our Privacy Policy for details.