All iPads Best app to use iPad to remote control Mac mini?

[lanceuppercut47]

I'm currently using Teamviewer as that lets me access my Mac mini from outside my home network, however I find that Teamviewer doesn't work with the Magic Keyboard's trackpad. Or if it does, I'm using it wrong as I need to use the screen to drag the cursor around etc.

I'm looking for something secure, if it works without installing anything (as I can already connect from another Mac using vnc://) extra to the Mac that's a plus but no adverse to the idea, but ideally able to access from outside of my network would be good. Oh and nothing subscription based.

Thanks.

 

[chabig]

I use Screens 4 to do exactly what you describe. Today (Dec 6) they released version 5, which is based on a subscription model but also has a purchase option. For me, I'm sticking with Screens 4. Either way, the app is a nice VMC client, and they have a free software component (Screens Connect) that runs on your Mini and keeps their server updated as to your Mini's IP address so you can connect from outside your home network.

 

[chrfr]

I've used both Screens (4) and Jump Desktop and vastly prefer Jump Desktop, which seems to be faster and more reliable connecting for me than Screens is.

 

[gonkai]

I like Jump Desktop

 

[chabig]

Jump Desktop looks nice, but this sentence in their app description worries me, "Set up as many computers as you like and manage them all using your Google account (optional)". It sounds like you have to sign in with a Google account if you want the app to connect from outside your home network. I want Google to know as little as possible about my activities.

 

[chrfr]

Jump Desktop looks nice, but this sentence in their app description worries me, "Set up as many computers as you like and manage them all using your Google account (optional)". It sounds like you have to sign in with a Google account if you want the app to connect from outside your home network. I want Google to know as little as possible about my activities.

You do not have to use a Google account with Jump Desktop to sync and connect to your computers. In fact, I use a "sign in with Apple" account with them.

 

[chabig]

You do not have to use a Google account with Jump Desktop to sync and connect to your computers.

There must be a method it uses to track your home IP address. How does the client find out that address when you are away from home?

If the Google login is optional, is there a separate Jump Desktop account?

 

[chrfr]

There must be a method it uses to track your home IP address. How does the client find out that address when you are away from home?

If the Google login is optional, is there a separate Jump Desktop account?

Yes, you make a Jump Desktop account. You can sign in with Apple, Google, a direct email account, or if you have one of the business plans you can use a single sign-on provider.
Screens is similar in how it requires a Screens Connect account.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Jump Desktop has never let me down and the few times I have contacted support, they have been responsive.

 

[lanceuppercut47]

Kind of leaning towards Jump at the moment.

I don’t like the fact that Screens 5 has been released and I don‘t care for subscriptions so I’d want to get 4, but there’s the thing at the back of my mind that tells me that 4 won’t be as actively developed as 5 will be.

Whereas Jump is just what it is, they haven’t made Jump 2. It’s currently cheaper than Screens 4 (£15 vs £19) to tbh, I’ll be waiting to see which goes on sale first, I know I’ve missed Black Friday where both went down in price, I’m kind of loathe to pay full price for them.

 

[chrfr]

Kind of leaning towards Jump at the moment.

I don’t like the fact that Screens 5 has been released and I don‘t care for subscriptions so I’d want to get 4, but there’s the thing at the back of my mind that tells me that 4 won’t be as actively developed as 5 will be.

Whereas Jump is just what it is, they haven’t made Jump 2. It’s currently cheaper than Screens 4 (£15 vs £19) to tbh, I’ll be waiting to see which goes on sale first, I know I’ve missed Black Friday where both went down in price, I’m kind of loathe to pay full price for them.

You can safely assume Screens 4 will no longer be developed. It's just a one-person (or very close to it) operation. With that said Screens 5 seems like a pretty decent upgrade.

 

[Infinitewisdom]

Jump Desktop is your answer.

 

[lanceuppercut47]

You can safely assume Screens 4 will no longer be developed. It's just a one-person (or very close to it) operation. With that said Screens 5 seems like a pretty decent upgrade.

If there wasn't a massive price hike on the lifetime licence, then yeah I'd go for 5, but if 4 isn't going to be actively developed, I think I'll jump on Jump.

 

[chrfr]

If there wasn't a massive price hike on the lifetime licence, then yeah I'd go for 5, but if 4 isn't going to be actively developed, I think I'll jump on Jump.

Part of the difference with the Screens pricing is that now it covers Mac and iOS/iPad, where before they were all separate. I still prefer Jump anyway.

 

[emembee]

Jump Desktop on the Mac though is now a paid, (35 GBP I think) and is necessary to connect from iPad? It used to be free, or have I got that wrong?

 

[chrfr]

Jump Desktop on the Mac though is now a paid, (35 GBP I think) and is necessary to connect from iPad? It used to be free, or have I got that wrong?

If you're only connecting to the Mac from iPad, you only need Jump Desktop on the iPad. On the Mac (or Windows computer) you install the free Jump Desktop Connect app.

 

[lanceuppercut47]

Part of the difference with the Screens pricing is that now it covers Mac and iOS/iPad, where before they were all separate. I still prefer Jump anyway.

Thing is I sold my MBP as I really didn’t use it and just have the Mac mini and needed a way to go from iPad to Mac, so a universal app in my case, is pointless.