The display above is my Mac OS X Server at home, but I'm looking at it on my iPad. The magic that makes this happen is a great FREE App Called Mocha VNC Lite and of course the built-in Screen Sharing in Mac OS X (Mac OS X Server NOT required). It's amazingly easy to setup. Just turn on Screen Sharing and assign it a password in Mac OS X and open up Port 5900 (or other custom port of your choice) on your router and have it point to the internal IP address of that Mac (or PC if you run VNC software on your PC). Note your current IP address assigned by your ISP and boom you can connect to that Mac or PC from just about anywhere on the internet. I first started using this great App on the iPhone! Yep, I would fire up Mocha VNC Lite on my iPhone and even over a 3G connection I could see and control my Mac at home. Now granted, the speed of the display is only going to be as good as your internet connection both ends, but the times when I've need to check on something, copy a file to remote disc or change a setting, this App has come in extremely handy. Needless to say I was thrilled to see it updated for the iPad. The iPad's larger screen size is a natural for this App! Mocha VNC Lite supports up to 6 different computers/configurations to Connect to. Your finger becomes the mouse and you can bring up the on screen keyboard anytime you need to do text entry.
Although I don't use this App every day, the times I've needed it it has never failed me. Since your computer can hold way more information that your iPad or iPhone ever will this App is great for allowing you to look things up that you left behind. Although the App works exactly as advertised and there is a paid version, I'd like to see some more options in the paid version. I'd like to see a file transfer ability. Currently I can bring up a file on screen and email it to myself on the iPad by using Mail on the actual Mac I'm controlling, but I'd like a more direct way built-in to the App.
For the price you can't beat it! It's FREE grab it here:
Mocha VNC Lite
Mocha VNC Lite allows you to see and control your Mac or PC remotely using the standard VNC protocol (built-in to the Mac OS).
- Jan Frydendal
- Get on App Store
- Free
All info was collected on 16th April, 2010 when the app was reviewed.
About Terry White
Terry is the co-author of The Best Selling "The iPhone Book" 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th editions. He has been active in the industry for over 25 years and is the founder and president of MacGroup-Detroit, Inc., Michigan's largest Macintosh Users Group, host of the Adobe Creative Suite Podcast and a technology writer - Terry White Tech Blog.
Terry, thanks for the tip on this app. I have been using LogMeIn.
One question: “open up Port 5900″ – how do you do this on Snow Leopard?
Thanks.
This is something done on your router, not your Mac. You’d have to log in to your router and point port 5900 for incoming traffic to your Mac (only if you plan to access your Mac from outside your home/office).
Looks like your tech blog has been hit again, Terry. I’m getting the malware warning on trying to visit there.
Hi Terry
Just tried to access your Techblog and it’s still bringing up a warning that it is an Attack Page, and access to your site is being blocked.
I have a screenshot of the warning, including a Google Advisory stating that the last visit (17th April) still found malicious software/code on your site, hosted on 2 domains – binglbalts.com and corpadsinc.com.
If you would like the screenshots that I took, in order to get the full Google report info, please email me at matdxb (at) freenet . de – with no spaces in the email address.
cheers
Michele
P.S. you can delete this comment – I only posted here because I couldn’t find an email address for you!
Thanks! I’m aware and working with out host on it. More here: http://blog.sucuri.net/2010/04/network-solutions-hacked-again.html
and were back! http://terrywhite.com/techblog has been moved to a new host!
Hi Terry,
I actually stumbled on your site trying to find an answer about the Ipad and VNC. I am able to take over my Mac and open files, but I am unable to actual do any real layouts in InDesign on the Ipad. I am only able to select, but can’t move anything around. Am I expecting to much or is it user error?
I appreciate any input, I was hopping not to get a net book to work away from the house.
Thanks
I think you’re asking too much from these Apps and the ability to control your computer. Doing simple tasks such as copying files, checking something in a App, looking something up is one thing, but the lag would drive me insane if I were trying to do production work this way. If you need to run InDesign (and do work), then get something that runs InDesign.
used to work great but now it just changes the icon to flash and its become a total pain in the neck. i have no hope for this app any more its like you order one thing but end up getting another. i downloaded mocha nvc and ended up with some flash app. what the heck man
I was wondering, does this need to be on 3G or will it work with WiFi or Bluetooth?
Thanks!
It works over 3G or WiFi.
Hi Terry
I am looking for a reverse option that is to control my Mac from Iphone instead. Yes, I want to use the bigger keyboard and the bigger display!!
Do I apply the same logic or is there another way of doing it.
Excuse me if the question is not very pertinent to the forum.
regards
TD, is that you?