Google Chrome Remote Desktop App Launched for iOS

Google on Monday launched an app that lets iOS users control their computers through their iOS device. Chrome Remote Desktop for iOS was launched nine months after its Android counterpart. If you need to access some files on your computer but you're travelling, you might find this app useful.

(Also see: How to Remotely Control Your Computer From a Phone or Tablet)

For this process to work, you need to install the Chrome Remote Desktop Web app (requires Chrome browser) on your computer. Once it is set up on the computer, the Chrome Remote Desktop Web app will display a 16-digit code. You'll need to enter this code in the iOS or Android app on a device logged into your Google account to gain remote access to your computer.

Another use of Chrome Remote Desktop app is to temporarily grant a friend access to your computer to help you fix a problem.The same code generated by the Chrome Remote Desktop Web app can also be shared with a friend to allow access to your computer (via another computer only).

Chrome Remote Desktop for Android was launched in April 2014 and both the smartphone apps let users remotely access Windows and Mac machines. While Google had said that it would launch the iOS app in 2014, it appears to have missed its deadline slightly. The iOS app is a 9MB download from the App Store and works just like the Android app.

The release notes for this app are quite concise. The notes read, "Securely access your computers from your iOS device." There are just two bullet points under this, listing the app's features: "On each of your computers, set up remote access using the Chrome Remote Desktop app from Chrome Web Store. On your iOS device, open the app and tap on any of your online computers to connect." The next time someone calls you, asking you to fix their computer, you might want to try this app to fix their problem quickly.