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Use of computer (physical keyboard+big display) to send and read email with iPhone Mail app

M

MatteoV

macrumors member
Original poster
May 5, 2017
63
4
Hi, the title explains it well: can I use a computer + internet to write/read emails from my iPhone Mail app (my iPhone is linked to internet)?
Should I share the same WiFi connection between computer and iPhone or not?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
 
Im not sure if I unterstand you correct but you could visit icloud.com and open the E-Mail App there. Its synchronized
 
yeahtyeaht said:
Im not sure if I unterstand you correct but you could visit icloud.com and open the E-Mail App there. Its synchronized
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for reply.
I have not a synchronized icloud because I disabled any synchronization between my iPhone and the cloud (I don't use icloud because I don't want to synchronize my iPhone with other people computers).
My goal is to use a computer keyboard+monitor (it is not my computer) to read/write/send/receive email using iPhone Mail app (for example, in a similar way the app WhatsApp can be used with any Internet browser through the feature Web/Desktop: with a unique qrcode scanned with iPhone, user can create a real-time synchronization between what he writes on his computer and what appears on the iphone).
So does any similar app exist for iPhone mail?

Thank you again.
 
Hi
To extend the question:

with last iOS 11 and without jailbreak can user create a bidirectional connection (with iOS itself or with a specific free/paid App for iPhone) between iPhone and any computer (for example Mac, Linux, Windows) in order to use any App installed in iPhone with a mouse+keyboard+big screen provided by any desktop?

I don't want to completely control my iPhone with desktop (for example I don't want to change iOS settings with desktop mouse+keyboard, for security reasons), but only to use one application at a time (for example iOS Mail app or iOS Remainder app), with the help of a large keyboard and screen.

I don't want to write any password, ID, etc.. in the computer to be able to use any desktop version of the App that I use with my iPhone (so I don't want to use iCloud with internet browser of the PC because it forces me to enter my Apple ID).

Thanks
 
You don't want to syncronize with other people's computers, yet you use a computer which isn't yours. Ok.

I mean, I cannot give you a 100% guarantee but I'd say that your iCloud data is pretty safe at Apple. They're one of the companies that take their customers' security serious. Make your life easy and turn on iCloud. Problem fixed.

I also do not understand why you wouldn't enter any login credentials on a computer? You know, you have the ability to verify if the website on which you're entering the data is legit. On top of that you can use a VPN or whatever to keep the transmission safe.
 
First of all thank you all for replies.

@Mlrollin91 : so no free/paid app in AppStore or no feature in iOS 11 that allows what I ask? Simply, is there not yet a similar app or that app could never work due to Apple iOS restrictions?

@Rok73 : I have no doubt that Apple is very strong in ensuring the digital safe of users, but I have no idea if the computer I use and in which I write my Apple ID and password is safe (the ID and password could be recorded by a malware/virus that could give access my iCloud/iPhone to other people). And in addition, instead of remembering the ID and password of my Apple account to login with any computer and then logout every time to prevent access to my account to other people that use the same computer, I prefer forget my credentials and use a unique qrcode like the WhatsApp Web/Desktop feature. So again, sorry for insistence: does only icloud.com with login credentials work?

Thanks
 
It’s not Apple’s restrictions. What you want simply doesn’t exist. No email provider offers that.

Why would an email provider go through the hassle of creating a web-based client when the user can just log into a web-browser like they have been for the last 30 years?

The reason why WhatsApp does it is because there is no alternative available to them.
 
MatteoV said:
First of all thank you all for replies.

@Mlrollin91 : so no free/paid app in AppStore or no feature in iOS 11 that allows what I ask? Simply, is there not yet a similar app or that app could never work due to Apple iOS restrictions?

@Rok73 : I have no doubt that Apple is very strong in ensuring the digital safe of users, but I have no idea if the computer I use and in which I write my Apple ID and password is safe (the ID and password could be recorded by a malware/virus that could give access my iCloud/iPhone to other people). And in addition, instead of remembering the ID and password of my Apple account to login with any computer and then logout every time to prevent access to my account to other people that use the same computer, I prefer forget my credentials and use a unique qrcode like the WhatsApp Web/Desktop feature. So again, sorry for insistence: does only icloud.com with login credentials work?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Use the two factor authentication for your iCloud account and it is (nearly) unpossible to that anyone get into the account
 
What if you took the computer out of the equation completely? This isn't a perfect solution, but you can hook up your iOS device (using a dongle, of course) to an external monitor. Since you're concerned about security, this might be the safest option. If you're willing to give a little more and have an AppleTV available, you can mirror your iOS screen to a larger screen.

In either of these cases, you can connect an external Bluetooth keyboard to type on the device. Unfortunately I'm not sure there's a way to control it with a mouse.
 
Hi, thanks all for the hints.

The big problem with security is the heavy use of passwords login with a lot of computers.
So when user writes his password in a text field of any internet browser of any pc, the password can be stolen (with iPhone it is quite impossible thanks to the absence of malicious macro that can run in background, monitoring all user activities with his device - in other words when user closes an app in his iPhone, the app is stopped and it can't run in background. Is it always true?).

I'm not an expert but with a unique qrcode that creates a unique bidirectional communication between an iPhone app and a computer , nobody could copy the qrcode and interfer with the existing communication.

If a qrcode is copied by anyone, it could be not used for the same communication because during the existing communication started in a certain time between user's iPhone and the pc, the existing interaction between the two devices excludes any other interaction/communications between the same devices. I'm not completely sure about it however.

Bluetooth keyboard is a solution, but often I work with a computer that is used by other people and I'd like to use the big screen and keyboard of pc to interact sometimes and in a fast way with my iPhone, in which I have all I need to share info with people (mail account, remainder, calendar, instant messaging apps, etc...).

Thanks
 
Apple Fritter said:
Not sure if this is a trick question, what happened to e-mail clients that allow you to do mails 24/7 from a computer?
Click to expand...

Hi. sorry, what do you mean with your post?

A lot of services are 24/7 always active, and allow user to read mail (or other things) when he wants. But it is more difficult to break the server than some single pc linked to internet.

In my experience, it is the continuous insertion of user's passwords, IDs, usernames, in a lot of different computers which increases the risk of data copying and stealing, not the fact that so many servers (yahoo, google, apple, hotmail, etc ...) provide 24 hour service everyday.

It is the recognition,by malicious programs, of alphanumeric characters while the user inserts them with the keyboard of the host computer or the forgetting of logout that increase the risks.

A unique connection between two devices (such as PC and iphone) created at a certain time, with a unique qrcode and that can not be cloned in the network and that don't require to enter passwords or other sensitive strings could be safer.

Last year someone stole my google account because I often did login with password in a computer where I worked occasionally. I think that if I could create a temporary, time-limited connection that does not require password or login, with an unique qrcode (that is, the service, for example Apple Mail app, should allow only one connection between only two devices for the same account for all the time that user decides), it would be safer.

This long message to give you reasons for my request, but I understand that the theme of security is very confusing and unclear to many, including me.

Thanks
 
I take it you didn’t have two factor turned on with your Google account. It would have prevented it.

Also, the more likely explanation is you accidentally saved your password, not that there was malicious software installed to steal it. Over the last two decades of using hundreds computers that were not mine, I have never once had my password stolen by a random computer.

Or, your password was too easy. Occam’s razor.
 
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Mlrollin91 said:
Over the last two decades of using hundreds computers that were not mine, I have never once had my password stolen by a random computer.
Click to expand...
Same here. Often its the fault from the User. If you know how to handle all the relevant things nobody can get your password, never

In Germany we say (translated) „The problem sits behind the Computer“
 
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MatteoV said:
[…] This long message to give you reasons for my request, but I understand that the theme of security is very confusing and unclear to many, including me.
Click to expand...
Hi MatteoV,

thanks for your response. I just noticed you oftentimes share a computer with others. That may be a cause for concern, but it depends on many different things really. Is this in a business environment, at home or at an Internet café? Do all users have their own user accounts? Or are you using the same account your 12 yr-old is using to download all kinds of things off the Internet?

Different scenarios will place you on completely different sides of the threat meter.

In general, a computer is comparable in safety to a smartphone. Your phone uses its e-mail client to access your mail, preferably via a secure encrypted connection. Your computer would do just the same with an e-mail client installed. Your credentials are only entered once during setup and that's it.

If you're really worried, a smartphone is really the device to use while on the go and while the screen isn't the biggest option, you could always connect a bluetooth keyboard in order to type lengthy texts. Maybe in your case an iPad is preferable, giving you that much more room to work with. Then, you could also use an app such as Type2Phone for sending text from your computer to your smartphone.

TL;DR: The possbilities are endless. Maybe you can tell us more about your usage scenario, so we can come up with a solution in line with the actual threat level.
 
yeahtyeaht said:
Same here. Often its the fault from the User. If you know how to handle all the relevant things nobody can get your password, never

In Germany we say (translated) „The problem sits behind the Computer“
Click to expand...

One other acronym with similar meaning that I've heard being passed around in the support industry is "picnic". Problem in chair not in computer.

You might be able to get away using this in front of the actual user and they'll never know, lul.
 
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Hi, thanks for your replies and your interest.
Note that if you have no problem with security about passwords and logins entered in any computer used by many people, it does't mean that nobody should have security problems like you.

Maybe you all use Mac. Does someone use Windows?

Anyway, my first post was a question about the existence of an app for iPhone (or a feature of the last iOS) that allows user to use pc (any pc, not only Mac) keyboard, big screen and mouse to interact with his iPhone's apps through a pc web browser and without entering of any ID or password, in the same way the app WhatsApp (it is an example app, maybe there are similar apps) allows user to scan a qrcode to use WhatsaApp in a web browser page,without entering any phone number.

Conclusion: based on yours replies, this feature/app doesn't exist. The only way is to use icloud.com in any pc web browser and enter Apple ID and password in order to use only Apple pre-installed apps like Mail or Remainder with pc, no way to use other apps installed in iPhone. That way is the same way user enters his password in web browser page for any email client if he wants to read his email in a host pc, like we do since about 1995.

Cheers
 
MatteoV said:
Hi, thanks for your replies and your interest.
Note that if you have no problem with security about passwords and logins entered in any computer used by many people, it does't mean that nobody should have security problems like you.
Click to expand...
Don't let the comments get to you. We come from all walks of life here and what is common knowledge for one may always remain a mystery to the other. The guy who pumps out a nice app in a day's work may well be to dumb to fry an egg. It is what is.

Maybe you all use Mac. Does someone use Windows?
Click to expand...
I use one Mac and a handful of Windows boxes.

Conclusion: based on yours replies, this feature/app doesn't exist. The only way is to use icloud.com in any pc web browser and enter Apple ID and password in order to use only Apple pre-installed apps like Mail or Remainder with pc, no way to use other apps installed in iPhone. That way is the same way user enters his password in web browser page for any email client if he wants to read his email in a host pc, like we do since about 1995.
Click to expand...
Correct. Since such an app might not even be adequate for what you're trying to achieve I'd like to encourage you again to post a bit more info about the environment you're exposed to.
 
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yeahtyeaht said:
Same here. Often its the fault from the User. If you know how to handle all the relevant things nobody can get your password, never

In Germany we say (translated) „The problem sits behind the Computer“
Click to expand...

atton said:
One other acronym with similar meaning that I've heard being passed around in the support industry is "picnic". Problem in chair not in computer.

You might be able to get away using this in front of the actual user and they'll never know, lul.
Click to expand...
I recall it being more along the lines of PEBKAC: Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair

But looks like a few different versions of it all are in existences (including ID-10T Error): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_error
 
MatteoV said:
Hi, thanks for your replies and your interest.
Note that if you have no problem with security about passwords and logins entered in any computer used by many people, it does't mean that nobody should have security problems like you.

Maybe you all use Mac. Does someone use Windows?

Anyway, my first post was a question about the existence of an app for iPhone (or a feature of the last iOS) that allows user to use pc (any pc, not only Mac) keyboard, big screen and mouse to interact with his iPhone's apps through a pc web browser and without entering of any ID or password, in the same way the app WhatsApp (it is an example app, maybe there are similar apps) allows user to scan a qrcode to use WhatsaApp in a web browser page,without entering any phone number.

Conclusion: based on yours replies, this feature/app doesn't exist. The only way is to use icloud.com in any pc web browser and enter Apple ID and password in order to use only Apple pre-installed apps like Mail or Remainder with pc, no way to use other apps installed in iPhone. That way is the same way user enters his password in web browser page for any email client if he wants to read his email in a host pc, like we do since about 1995.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Apple has a very powerful but tight ecosystem. Outside of apple products (Microsoft) their cloud based ecosystem is broken. I prefer iOS because I prefer MacOS and I prefer MacOS because I prefer iOS. Without their tight ecosystem integrations I would be an Android user no doubt.

With MacOS, an iPhone and iCloud enabled you have access to most of the stock apps via native MacOS programs. Reminders, phone, messages, notes, maps, photos, pages, numbers, Calendar, etc etc etc are all MacOS programs that sync with your iOS device. Example, type something in the Notes program on your Mac and its in your Note.app on your iPhone. Open directions in the MacOS Maps program and send it to your iPhone. Get a Phone call on your iPhone and you can answer it on your Mac.

But more to the point of your question.

With an AppleTV you can AirPlay mirror (screen mirror) you iOS device screen to a big screen. iOS also has bluetooth keyboard support, so if you want to hammer out some emails, documents or whatever on the big screen via your iPhone with a keyboard that is definitely possible.

You can also get an AV adaptor to plug directly into your big screen as well. However you can probably pick up an AppleTV 3 cheap enough that it outweighs the cost of an adapter.

HOWEVER iOS does not support mice/trackpads. This is intentional since the touch and gesture based interface of iOS doesn't convert very well to mouse/trackpads. Android is a prime example, even some of the oldest Android devices supported USB hosting (plug in a mouse and a mouse cursor would pop up on screen) however the fun stopped there since you would need to emulate touch based movements with a mouse. Even in times like these where many people feel the level of polish of Apple products is waning, just adding mouse support would be a no-go without a specific overhaul for it. And by overhaul I mean iOS would need to shift into a "desktop" or "mouse mode" or something for right click support, double click support, dragging (without a long press), etc etc.

Again your options are somewhat limited with Windows and Linux. In lieu of sounding like a fanboy you sound like someone that might appreciate a Mac btw. I run Windows 10 and MacOS side by side but only use Windows when I absolutely have too (generally machine firmware updating via proprietary software).
 
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@Apple Fritter Hi, thank you. I don't let the comments get to me in general, but I will never understand any answers of the kind "...never happened to me, so the problem does not exist..." or "...the problem is the human, not the machine...". Oh yes, my good god, it is almost always strongly true. ;):)

I hope not to stress you, but I answer those who kindly answered me.

@Apple Fritter and @cynics Thank you cynics for your good explanation.
In general I use Windows based PCs (also with Windows XP o_O) at private companies as advisor, and I use always notebooks and desktops owned by the company. I often need to send and read emails from my personal account or to see my personal agenda that I have in my iPhone, so my simple request was the possibility to use my iPhone (the only "computer" that I always bring with me) like a little computer to link with existent desktops or notebooks (I don't need a bluetooth keyboard because I have already the keyboard of the computer I use to work and I can't use an AppleTV at work).

So the request was :
with : online iPhone (mine) + online Desktop or Notebook (others) + big screen (others) + keyboard (others) + mouse (others)
===> (can I ...)
use iPhone apps through a comfortable big keyboard+big screen+mouse with a connection between iPhone and Pc without any password or login but only with a time limited or temporary connection through scanning of qrcode, for example?
That is: on the pc screen I'd like to see the app iOS Mail, for example, or the app iOS Remainder, or the app Workflow to create any workflow to perform any kind of automatic task useful for me, etc... using:
  • mouse like a finger pointer (where I move the mouse on the iPhone little window cloned on PC desktop display, I simulate the movements of my fingers on the little screen of my great iPhone) and
  • the PC physical keyboard like an extension of the iPhone touch keyboard.

Answer is : no way (no apps and no feature in the iOS 11).

Thanks
Cheers
 
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