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Remote Control your computer using iPhone

By on August 17, 2008 in Posted In: iPhone

Last time, I shared about how we can use the iPhone to remote control iTunes. Now take a step forward and see how we can use iPhone to remote control your computer (Windows / Mac) completely. MochaSoft developed an iPhone application that connects to any VNC server (a remote desktop software, if you have not heard of it) using your iPhone. This application is available in Apple’s AppStore, so you do not a Jailbreak to use this application. Any iPhone user can install it, as long as you’re using iPhone firmware 2.0.

Remote Control your Mac using iPhone

As usual, I’ll go over with you step-by-step to remote control your PC/Mac. For Mac user, Mac OS X comes with a built-in feature to share the desktop, so you do not need to install any external program. For Windows user, you may already heard of VNC. You need to install this program before allowing your iPhone to control your computer.

On your Mac

1. Go to System Preferences and click on “Sharing”

Sharing Icon

2. Enable “Apple Remote Desktop” by clicking the “Start” button.

Enable remote desktop on Mac

3. Next, type a password for viewer to control the desktop. (Remember to choose a secure password!)

Enable remote desktop on Mac with Password

Okay, that’s all for Mac! Now your Mac is accepting remote connection (i.e. iPhone) and you can jump to the iPhone procedures.

On your Windows

1. Download VNC from Real VNC and install it.

2. During installation, select to start VNC in service mode. This will launch VNC when your Windows boots up. (If you don’t like you can deselect this option, but you need to launch VNC server manually).

VNC Installation Selection

3. Next, you’re prompted to configure VNC server properties. Leave all settings as default and click “Configure” to set your VNC server password. As always, choose a secure password!

VNC Server Properties

After installation, VNC server is already running and waiting for your iPhone’s connection. If you have problems in launching VNC server in service mode, you can start it manually using User mode (Start button -> Real VNC -> VNC Server 4 (user-mode) -> Run VNC Server).

On your iPhone

1. Install Mocha VNC Lite (it’s free!) from AppStore

Mocho VNC Lite Icon

2. Launch VNC lite and you’ll see a giant power button.

Mocha VNC Lite

3. Click “Connect” button and tap on any of the “not used” computer

VNC Connect to Menu

4. Next, fill in your IP address of your computer and your VNC password you can just configure. You can leave the VNC server port to 5900.

VNC Connect to

5. After that, click “Connect” button to make connection to the computer

VNC Negotiation

And waiting a few seconds…. Here you are at your Mac or Windows

Remote Control your Windows using iPhone

Remote Control your Mac using iPhone

To disconnect from your computer, you can tap the “+” button at the bottom of screen and select “Disconnect”.

VNC Lite - Disconnect from computer

About Simon Ng

Founder, developer and chief blogger of simonblog.com
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  • Liz

    Does this not work for vista? Because I’ve tried like 6 or 7 VNC servers and I can’t connect to any of them. I keep getting the message “There is no active network. Check your WiFi and phone settings” and in the blibk of an eye I’ll get “Cannot connect to host 565465654654 port 5900″. :’( My brain is exploding.

  • chris

    for vista you need to install uvnc or ultra vnc and for the host use you’re computer’s ip address

  • Rick

    I downloaded Mocha VNC Lite, and the main problems that I find are:

    1) The cursor position seems to be misplaced in relation to my finger position, and somewhat erratic, so that actually clicking on what you intend to is a struggle.

    2) I haven’t found a way to limit access to a single monitor (I use two) via separate port numbers (5901, 5902) etc., as I’ve heard can be done.

    Some of the other problems (particularly lack of modifier keys) are related to limitations of the free Lite version, so I won’t bother with those.

  • julio

    i’ve been able to open the screen of my computer, but im tring to see some cameras on the iphone.

    did anyone knowns why just seems to display a black image where on the computer screen show the caremas ??

    Regards.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=758560537 Lon Diffenderfer

    Is the setup any different if you are connected through a router? Our home network uses a Linksys router, so I am guessing that I somehow have to forward the request from the iphone through the routers IP, correct? Any pointers?

    • Thomas

      I know this is kinda necromancing, but if others have the same question:

      WLAN – on Windows open Cmd.exe, type ipconfig
      scroll to the top and look for the line “ip4v-adresse”
      Thats the IP you would like to use.
      Its also important to type in 3 digits in the end, not only 1 digit
      192.168.1.102 – works
      192.168.1.1 – wont work

  • bobobobob

    i can connect with my computer, but when i do all i see is a black screen.
    Any help?
    P.S. I use windows vista, with a trendnet router

  • http://www.buyremotepcaccesssoftware.com Louise from www.buyremotepcaccesssoftware.com

    This is a very cool application, will this also work on a Windows 7 operating system?

  • DIO

    Even if i did not try it yet, but i was just looking for such a guideline….thanks a lot SIMON for nice sharing….

  • Bill

    when i try to connect is says host has closed session i have windows vista

    • Jonas

      I’ve got the same problem. After I pressed connect, i got a popup message on my computer to block or allow connection, i clicked allow, and then it said “Host has closed the session”

  • BillyC

    It doesn’t connect.

    Using iPhn 4.1
    Mac OS 10.6.5

    will it be updated?

    • billyc

      Well, it works now. To kool, this has potential! Would be 10 times better using an iPad.
      I too get the “Host has closed the session” which may mean that the sleep mode came on?

  • R m

    I also get the ” host has closed” message. Using vista. I have he same story as Jonas. Is there a better way to do this, because I need a way to play emulated games without my computer keyboard ( I find game systems with joysticks don’t play well with a lage keypad)

  • http://www.imagodeiwomen.com/ Kirby Gibson

    Remote control is the blast in recent times. Now i am normally in need of mobility but furthermore calculating power and handy remote controlis the alternative. Awesome info thanks

  • clayton

    I’ve got the same problem. After I pressed connect, i got a popup message on my computer saying “Host has closed the session”

  • clayton

    I’ve got the same problem. After I pressed connect, i got a popup message on my iphone saying “Host has closed the session”

  • http://www.youtube.com/tiltvhd tiltvhd

    Here is a video of how to use your computer on your Iphone.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgewyAimONI&feature=relmfu