How to Install the Chrome Remote Desktop App
Authored by:
Support.com Tech Pro Team
This Guided Path® was written and reviewed by Support.com’s Tech Pro team. With decades of experience, our Tech Pros are passionate about making technology work for you. We love feedback! Let us know what you think about this Guided Path by rating it at the end.
Introduction
Before You Begin:
Google Account
Google ChromeYou must have Google Chrome installed.
Mobile and Desktop Capabilities
On the desktop version for Windows and macOS, you will be able to share your desktop, as well as connect to, control, and view other desktop computers you have setup.
On the mobile version for Android and iOS, you will be able to connect to your desktop and control it, but you cannot share your mobile screen.
1 Install Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's Chrome Remote Desktop is available on many different platforms:
Windows
- Open Google Chrome, and browse to Google's Remote Desktop site.
Chrome Remote Desktop
You will need to be using Google's Chrome browser for this site to work properly. - Select Remote Access at the top, then select the download button for Set up remote access.
- A new window will open showing the Chrome Remote Desktop Extension. Select Add to Chrome.
- Select Add Extension at the bottom.
- Chrome will download a program to install, and will ask if you want to install it. Select Yes.
- Select Turn On for Set up remote access.
- Enter a name for your computer, so you can recognize it easily later, then select Next.
- Choose a PIN and enter it twice, then select Start.
Your PIN will show up as dots to keep people from seeing it over your shoulder.
- Chrome Remote Desktop will enable, and request permission. Select Yes.
- Chrome Remote Desktop is setup, and will show your computer as online.
Apple macOS
- Open Google Chrome, and browse to Google's Remote Desktop site.
Chrome Remote Desktop
You will need to be using Google's Chrome browser for this site to work properly. - Select Remote Access.
- Select the Download arrow under Set up remote access.
- Select Add to Chrome.
- Select Add extension.
- Once the extension is added, return to the Chrome Remote Desktop window, and select the Download arrow again. This time, it will download the Remote Desktop Client software.
- Once downloaded, select Accept & Install.
- For Open download, select Yes.
- Double click the Chrome Remote Desktop Host.
- In the installer, select Continue.
- Select Install.
- Enter your Mac's password, and select Install Software.
- Enter a name for your computer, and select Next.
- Enter a PIN to access your computer twice, and select Start.
- Enter your Mac's password again to add the PIN, and select OK.
- You'll be asked if you want remote users to be able to control this computer. Select Open Preferences.
- Security & Privacy Preferences will open, with the Privacy tab, Accessibility area selected. Unlock these settings by selecting the lock icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Enter your Mac's password, and select Unlock.
- Place a checkmark next to org.chromium.chromoting.me2me.sh.
- Return to the install application, and select Close.
- With the software installed, it's safe to trash the Host installer. Select Move to Trash.
Android
Chrome Remote DesktopIf you are viewing this guide on your mobile device, or have your mobile device linked to your Google account, you can use this link to jump directly to the app in the Google Play Store.
- Open the Play Store, then select the Search Bar at the top.
- Type in Chrome Remote Desktop, then select Chrome Remote Desktop from the list.
- Select Install.
- Select Open to open the app.
Apple iOS
Chrome Remote DesktopIf you are viewing this guide on your mobile device, or have your mobile device linked to your Apple account, you can use this link to jump directly to the app in the Apple App Store.
- Open the App Store and select Search in the bottom right corner.
- Type in Chrome Remote Desktop, and select Get for Chrome Remote Desktop in the list.
- Select Get or Cloud Install for Chrome Remote Desktop.
- Select Install.
- Open Chrome Remote Desktop and select Sign In.
- Enter your Google Email address, and select Next.
- Enter your Google Password, then select Next.
You may be prompted for additional information to verify your Gmail account. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete signing into your Google Chrome account.
Remote Access software requires that you have it installed in at least two locations. For example, your home computer and your work computer, or your home computer and a mobile phone. One acts as the client (where you are accessing from), and the other acts as a server (where you are connecting to).
Make sure your remote computer is turned on; you cannot remotely connect to a computer that is turned off.
Was this content helpful?
YesNoBefore You Begin:
Google ChromeYou must have Google Chrome installed.
Mobile and Desktop Capabilities
On the desktop version for Windows and macOS, you will be able to share your desktop, as well as connect to, control, and view other desktop computers you have setup.
On the mobile version for Android and iOS, you will be able to connect to your desktop and control it, but you cannot share your mobile screen.
Google's Chrome Remote Desktop is available on many different platforms:
Windows
- Open Google Chrome, and browse to Google's Remote Desktop site.
Chrome Remote Desktop
You will need to be using Google's Chrome browser for this site to work properly. - Select Remote Access at the top, then select the download button for Set up remote access.
- A new window will open showing the Chrome Remote Desktop Extension. Select Add to Chrome.
- Select Add Extension at the bottom.
- Chrome will download a program to install, and will ask if you want to install it. Select Yes.
- Select Turn On for Set up remote access.
- Enter a name for your computer, so you can recognize it easily later, then select Next.
- Choose a PIN and enter it twice, then select Start.
Your PIN will show up as dots to keep people from seeing it over your shoulder.
- Chrome Remote Desktop will enable, and request permission. Select Yes.
- Chrome Remote Desktop is setup, and will show your computer as online.
Apple macOS
- Open Google Chrome, and browse to Google's Remote Desktop site.
Chrome Remote Desktop
You will need to be using Google's Chrome browser for this site to work properly. - Select Remote Access.
- Select the Download arrow under Set up remote access.
- Select Add to Chrome.
- Select Add extension.
- Once the extension is added, return to the Chrome Remote Desktop window, and select the Download arrow again. This time, it will download the Remote Desktop Client software.
- Once downloaded, select Accept & Install.
- For Open download, select Yes.
- Double click the Chrome Remote Desktop Host.
- In the installer, select Continue.
- Select Install.
- Enter your Mac's password, and select Install Software.
- Enter a name for your computer, and select Next.
- Enter a PIN to access your computer twice, and select Start.
- Enter your Mac's password again to add the PIN, and select OK.
- You'll be asked if you want remote users to be able to control this computer. Select Open Preferences.
- Security & Privacy Preferences will open, with the Privacy tab, Accessibility area selected. Unlock these settings by selecting the lock icon in the bottom-left corner.
- Enter your Mac's password, and select Unlock.
- Place a checkmark next to org.chromium.chromoting.me2me.sh.
- Return to the install application, and select Close.
- With the software installed, it's safe to trash the Host installer. Select Move to Trash.
Android
Chrome Remote DesktopIf you are viewing this guide on your mobile device, or have your mobile device linked to your Google account, you can use this link to jump directly to the app in the Google Play Store.
- Open the Play Store, then select the Search Bar at the top.
- Type in Chrome Remote Desktop, then select Chrome Remote Desktop from the list.
- Select Install.
- Select Open to open the app.
Apple iOS
Chrome Remote DesktopIf you are viewing this guide on your mobile device, or have your mobile device linked to your Apple account, you can use this link to jump directly to the app in the Apple App Store.
- Open the App Store and select Search in the bottom right corner.
- Type in Chrome Remote Desktop, and select Get for Chrome Remote Desktop in the list.
- Select Get or Cloud Install for Chrome Remote Desktop.
- Select Install.
- Open Chrome Remote Desktop and select Sign In.
- Enter your Google Email address, and select Next.
- Enter your Google Password, then select Next.
You may be prompted for additional information to verify your Gmail account. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete signing into your Google Chrome account.
Remote Access software requires that you have it installed in at least two locations. For example, your home computer and your work computer, or your home computer and a mobile phone. One acts as the client (where you are accessing from), and the other acts as a server (where you are connecting to).
Make sure your remote computer is turned on; you cannot remotely connect to a computer that is turned off.