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Connect to one of your devices

Open the screen of one of your devices as if you were sitting in front of it. Your own devices don’t ask.

FreemacOSWindows · Coming sooniPhone & iPadWebAndroid · PlannedLinux · Planned

Both devices must be signed in with the same account. On the Mac you want to reach, Allow connections to this Mac must be on.

macOS

  1. Choose the device in All Devices.
  2. Click Connect. The session opens in a window of its own.
  3. When you are done, click End in the toolbar.
The device list with the Connect buttonThe device list with the Connect button

Windows

This function is coming soon to Windows.

iPhone & iPad

  1. In the device list, tap Connect next to the device.
  2. When you are done: End session.
The device list with the Connect buttonThe device list with the Connect button

Web

  1. Open the devices in the web console and click Connect on the device.
  2. From a browser, DeskRanger always asks: someone at the other device has to allow the request.
The device list with the Connect buttonThe device list with the Connect button

What the other Mac shows

During a session the Mac shows a red frame around the screen and a red indicator with name and duration in the menu bar. From there you can pause or End session. ⌃⌥⌘ Esc ends it at once.

The Mac during a session: red menu bar indicator and red frameThe Mac during a session: red menu bar indicator and red frame
Settings “This Mac” with the switches for connectionsSettings “This Mac” with the switches for connections

If it doesn’t work

“The request was declined or not allowed in time.”

The person at the other device declined or did not react for 30 seconds. Try again when someone is at the device.

“Another of your devices is already connected. Your plan connects from one device at a time – end the session there first. With Team, several devices can connect at once.”

In Free and Pro you connect from one device at a time. End the session on the other device first. More under Channels and devices.

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Checked for version 0.1.0 · as of 2026-10-02