Chrome Remote Desktop: Set It Up, Share Your Screen and Connect From Your Phone

Here's the catch. Chrome Remote Desktop does two different jobs, and they work differently. Remote access, for your own computers, uses a PIN you set. Sharing your screen for support uses a code that, according to Google's Chrome Help, only works one time, and while you're sharing, you'll be asked every 30 minutes to confirm you want to keep going. Mix the two up and you'll be hunting for a code that's already expired.

Remote access or remote support

	Remote access	Share your computer for support
Address, as of October 2026	remotedesktop.google.com/access	remotedesktop.google.com/support
Who it's for	Reaching your own computers	Letting someone else help on your computer
How you get in	The PIN for that computer	An access code the sharer generates
How long it lasts	Until you close the tab or disconnect	The code works once; you confirm every 30 minutes
What the other person gets	Not applicable	Full access to apps, files, emails, documents and history

Read that last row twice before you share. Google says the person you share with gets full access to your apps, files, emails, documents and history, so only share with someone you'd hand your unlocked computer to.

Set up remote access to your computer

1. On the computer you want to reach, open Chrome.
2. In the address bar, enter remotedesktop.google.com/access.
3. Under Set up Remote Access, click Download, then follow the onscreen directions to install it.

You may have to enter your computer password to give Chrome Remote Desktop access, and you may be prompted to change security settings in Preferences. Google has separate guidance for Linux.

Access a computer remotely from another computer

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. Go to remotedesktop.google.com/access and press Enter.
3. Click Access and pick the computer you want.
4. Enter the PIN for that computer.
5. Select the arrow to connect.

Google says all remote desktop sessions are fully encrypted. When you're done, close the tab, or select Options, then Disconnect. To take a computer off your list, go back to the same page and click Disable remote connections next to it.

Share your screen for support

1. On your computer, open Chrome and go to remotedesktop.google.com/support.
2. Under Get Support, click Download and install Chrome Remote Desktop.
3. Under Get Support, select Generate Code.
4. Copy the code and send it to the person who's helping you.
5. When they enter it, you'll see a dialog with their email address. Select Share to allow them full access.
6. To end the session, click Stop Sharing.

If you're the one helping, go to the same support address, enter the code under Give support and click Connect. Because the code only works once, the person sharing needs to generate a fresh one for each session.

Chrome Remote Desktop on Android and iPhone

On an Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome Remote Desktop app, which you can download from Google Play. Tap Menu, then Remote Access, tap the computer you want, enter the PIN and tap the arrow. If a computer looks dimmed in the list, it's offline or unavailable. To remove one, tap Delete next to it.

On iPhone and iPad, Google's help says that if you don't have the app, you can go to remotedesktop.google.com/access in the browser. Its tip is to add Chrome Remote Desktop to your Home Screen: next to the address bar tap Share, then Add to Home Screen. That hides the address bar, and Google says it's the only way to view your remote desktop in full screen.

Controlling the computer from your phone

By default you control the computer with a virtual trackpad. The gestures, as of October 2026:

Action	Trackpad gesture
Move the mouse	Swipe anywhere on the screen
Click	Tap the screen
Right-click	Tap with 2 fingers
Middle-click	Tap with 3 fingers
Zoom	Pinch and stretch with 2 fingers
Scroll	Swipe with 2 fingers
Drag	Press and hold until a gray circle appears, then drag

If the remote computer runs Windows, you can switch to touch input. Open the session menu with the arrow on the edge of the screen, then under Input controls tap Configure touch input. You can pick direct touch, touch with two-finger pan and zoom, or touch with three-finger pan and zoom. On a Mac or Linux computer, that option isn't available.

When Chrome Remote Desktop won't connect

Both computers need an internet connection, and Google says antivirus software can block it. Make sure your antivirus allows outbound UDP traffic, inbound UDP responses, traffic on TCP port 443 for HTTPS, and TCP and UDP on port 3478 for STUN. A work or school network might not let you give others access, and on a managed account your administrator may control whether you can use it at all. Google also says to check you're on the latest version of Chrome or ChromeOS.

My verdict on Chrome Remote Desktop

For reaching your own computer, or helping a relative who's stuck, it's hard to beat: it runs in Chrome, sessions are encrypted and setup takes three steps. Keep the PIN for your own machines, treat the one-time support code like a house key, and stop sharing the moment the job's done. If you need more than it offers, I've compared the free remote desktop software options and the best remote desktop tools overall, and for game streaming, there's my list of Parsec alternatives.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I set up Chrome Remote Desktop?

Open Chrome on the computer you want to reach, go to remotedesktop.google.com/access, click Download under Set up Remote Access and follow the onscreen directions.

How long does a Chrome Remote Desktop access code last?

The access code only works one time. While you're sharing, you're asked every 30 minutes to confirm you want to keep sharing.

What's the difference between the PIN and the access code?

The PIN is for remote access to your own computers. The access code is generated when you share your computer so someone else can give you support.

Can I use Chrome Remote Desktop on an iPhone?

Yes. Use the Chrome Remote Desktop app, or go to remotedesktop.google.com/access in the browser and add it to your Home Screen for full screen.

Which ports does Chrome Remote Desktop need?

Outbound UDP traffic, inbound UDP responses, TCP port 443 for HTTPS, and TCP and UDP on port 3478 for STUN.