The Easiest Way To Access Computers Remotely Without VPN – Google Chrome Remote Desktop

Tech
2021.09.27

Do you need to use your office computer when working from home? To remotely help your colleagues, family, and friends with their technical challenges, do you need to connect with them? Whatever the situation, Chrome Remote Desktop is the best and most simple way to establish a remote connection.

Chrome Remote Desktop is accessible on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android and is completely free. And No, a VPN is not needed to establish a remote connection.

There may be a company policy prohibiting the usage of the Chrome Remote Desktop extension on computers used for work-related purposes for security reasons. Ask your employer before installing the extension.

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When to use the Chrome Remote Desktop?

You & Devices: You can establish a connection to remote devices, where typically no one is present, and control those remote devices from any location.

You & Others: While the other party is present on the other side, you can connect to their devices. Often used for connected devices’ remote assistance.

Pre-requirements

You will require the following before you can use Chrome Remote Desktop:

  1. Google account
  2. Google Chrome browser or Firefox

Important setting

It is crucial to check the following if you are not remotely sharing your device with others but are merely connected to your other devices:

  • Set your remote devices to never be turned off when inactive, or if you don’t want to keep your PC on all the time, OR
  • Get an IoT device like the SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher and SwitchBot Hub Plus to remotely turn on and off your PC

You can keep working on your remote devices whenever you like by carrying out the aforementioned steps. You simply need to navigate to your device’s power settings and select a power setting to never sleep if you are not using an IoT device (Please click the images below for examples).

Windows Setting
Linux Mint
Mac

How to access other devices remotely

  • Step1
    Open a Chrome and enter the following address in the URL bar:

    remotedesktop.google.com/access

    You will be prompted to sign in if you are not already logged into your Google account.

  • Step2
    Download Google Chrome Desktop Extension

    Click the blue arrow to start downloading the Google Chrome Remote Desktop.

    Click to View
  • Step3
    Approve adding the extension to your browser

    To add a Google Chrome Remote Desktop browser extension, a new window will popup. Accept and add the extension.

    Click to View
    Click to View
  • Step4
    Choose a Name

    Enter the name of the device you are currently using (you can change it later if you want to). Click Next.

    Click to View
  • Step5
    Choose a PIN

    Choose a PIN of at least six numbers and enter it (you can change later if you want to). To complete adding your device, click Start.

    Click to View
  • Step6
    Your first device is added!

    Your first device has been added successfully.

    Click to View
  • Step7
    Go to your second device & Set up remote access

    Move to your second device. Again, go to Google Chrome Remote Desktop: remotedesktop.google.com/access
    You will see the first device is added as a remote device.
    Click “Turn on” under this device and start adding the second device.

    Click to View
  • Step8
    Choose a Name (second device)

    Enter the name of the second device you are now using, just like you did for your first. Click “Next“.

  • Step9
    Choose a PIN (second device)

    For your second device, select a PIN. Click “Start“.

  • Step10
    Devices are successfully added

    The Google Chrome Remote Desktop has successfully added and shown both of your devices!

    Click to View
  • Step11
    Let’s access the device remotely

    You will be required to enter the PIN you specified for your remote device once you click the remote device. Start the remote connection by entering the PIN and clicking the blue arrow.

    Click to View
    Click to View
  • Step12
    Remote connection is established!

    Your remote connection is made once you enter the PIN, and you will then be able to see the screen of your remote device! Now that you can work remotely on your second device.

Click to View

On the right side of the screen, there will be an arrow. To expland, click. You can then quickly move files between your devices from there.


Upload: Upload the file from your controlling device to the remote device.
Download: Download the file from your remote device to your controlling device.
To end your remote connection, simply close the browser.

How to remotely share your device with others

  • Step1
    Go to Remote Support

    Open a Chrome and enter the following address in the URL bar: remotedesktop.google.com/support

    • If a Google Chrome Remote Desktop extension is not yet installed, you will see the image below. By clicking the blue arrow, you can download the Google Chrome Remote Desktop browser plugin. Install the extension by following the onscreen instructions. You can continue once you have installed the browser extension.
    Click to View
  • Step2
    Generate the Code

    To give access to your device, click “Generate Code“

    Click to View
  • Step3
    Give the code

    Give the person you are granting remote access to your device that code.

  • Step4
    Enter the code

    A person remotely connecting to your device enters the code you gave at “Connect to another computer” and clicks “Connect“.

    Click to View
  • Step5
    Allow Share & You are connected!

    You will be asked if you want to allow a remote connection. If you agree, click “Share“. Once you click “Share”, your device will then be remotely accessed by a person you allowed.

    Click to View
    Click to View
  • You may either close the browser or click the “Stop Sharing” button to stop sharing.
  • Your apps, files, emails, documents, and history will all be completely accessible to anyone who is remotely accessing your device.
  • Every 30 minutes, the person granting permission to share their devices will be prompted to confirm if they want to continue sharing.

My review after using Chrome Remote Desktop

I first utilised this Chrome Remote Desktop feature to assist my sister with a computer problem she was having. She asked me if I could look at her computer because she couldn’t locate someone nearby to assist her with a problem (She lives in Japan and I live in Canada by the way). While video calling did let me observe a problem, it was difficult for me to navigate her. I then considered utilising an application to control devices remotely and discovered this Chrome Remote Desktop programme, which gave me access to her computer and worked flawlessly! I could effortlessly take over her device, instantly identify the problems, and resolve them as if I were there in person!

Even if I’m not using it for remote access, I can instantly connect a number of my devices that are in the same room and transfer files between them. This tool is the simplest one I’ve ever used for remote device access, yet there are so many ways we can use it!

Linux – Unable to mount an external drive issue (fixed)

In case if you are using Linux and see something similar to above having an issue with that external drive that cannot be mounted after using the Chrome Remote Desktop, you can run the following command in your terminal and stop Chrome Remote Desktop from running. You should be able to mount an external disc after running this command.

/opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop --stop
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