How to Remotely Connect to a Desktop computer with Chrome? You probably know a few of your friends and family members with computers. Well, would you like to know, if they are using Chrome browser or if their computer is running on Chrome OS, that there is an application that allows you to connect to their computer?
This application is called Google Chrome remote desktop and it allows you to connect to any computer that runs on Chrome OS or has the Chrome browser installed. Today we are going to learn how we can use this application so that you can help them or get help when they are facing problems with their computer.
How to Connect to a Remote Desktop with Chrome
First you need to install the Chrome Remote Desktop app, which can be found in the Chrome Web Store (PC), Google Play Store (Android) or Apple Store (iOS). We have to mention that you can use Chrome Remote Desktop to connect on a computer, but you cannot use this app to share the screen of your mobile device.
In case your friend is using a Chromebook, you should ask him to install Chrome Remote Desktop directly from the Chrome Web Store. However, if his computer is running on Windows or Mac OS, he will need to install Google Chrome first and then install the Chrome remote desktop extension.
Once this extension is installed, your friend will need to open it and allow the extension to sign in with a Google account. Then, they will need to click the big green “Share” button located under the “Remote Assistance” heading.
In case this is the first time your friend uses Chrome Remote Desktop to share their screen, they will also need to download the “Chrome Remote Desktop Host Installer”. Don’t worry as it only has 32 MB of space and should be downloaded from your computer in a minute or so. Once the file is downloaded, your friend will need to run the executable and click “Next” or “Continue” a few times to complete the installation.
Once the host package is installed, it will need to go back to the Chrome Remote Desktop app where it will see a code consisting of 12 numbers. Ask it to give you those numbers, as it will need to connect to your computer.
After finding the 12 numbers, you need to tap/click on the “Access” button in the Chrome Remote Desktop app and in the dialog box you need to enter them.
Eventually, a new window will open, which will actually be a “live” copy of the other computer screen. You will have full control of your friend’s computer, which means you will be able to open applications, install new ones or even uninstall some of them.
TIP: You should also be able to make changes to the operating system or install some tools and applications.
Just a reminder that Chrome Remote Desktop is available on computers running on Chrome OS, Windows and Mac. So if you have a friend who has a computer and knows how to fix a problem on it, ask him to do this:
- Connect the computer to the internet;
- Install Chrome Remote Desktop if your computer runs on Chrome OS;
- If your computer is running Windows OS or Mac OS, install Chrome Browser + Chrome Remote Desktop;
- Then give him the 12-digit number.
Have you ever used Chrome Remote Desktop to connect to another computer and control the remote desktop with Chrome? Tell us what you think about this app!
