Connect to a macOS device

Learn how to access a macOS computer over Meshnet from Windows, macOS, or Linux.

To log in to your macOS computer remotely over Meshnet, enable remote access on your macOS system and use a remote desktop client on the device from which you connect.

Before you begin

Make sure that:

  • Both the macOS device you wish to access remotely (remote Mac) and the device you're using to connect are linked over Meshnet.

  • Your remote Mac is on.

Also, it's a good idea to look up the Nord name or Meshnet IP address of the Mac you're connecting to in your NordVPN app. To copy this information for later use, go to Meshnet, click the device’s Nord name or IP address, and choose to copy it.

Set up your remote Mac for access

Before attempting a remote connection, it's crucial to set up your remote Mac to allow these connections.

Enable screen sharing or remote management:

  1. Select the Apple menu > System settings.

  2. Navigate to General, and select Sharing.

    Selecting "General" and then "Sharing".

  3. Do any of the following:

    • For basic tasks, under Content & media, turn on the Screen sharing toggle.

      Turning on the 'Screen sharing' toggle.

    • For more advanced control, such as installing software, under Advanced, turn on Remote management.

      "Remote management" toggle enabled.

  4. Next to the toggle, click the Info button.

  5. In the Password field, enter a secure password that will be used to authenticate the connection.

    Filled in "Password" field is highlighted.

  6. Click Done.

Connect to your remote Mac

If you are looking to establish a remote connection between two Mac devices, the macOS Connect to Server feature offers a straightforward solution.

On the Mac you are connecting from:

  1. In the NordVPN app, locate and copy the Nord name or Meshnet IP of the Mac you want to access.

    Remote device's Nord name and Meshnet IP address are highlighted in the NordVPN app

  2. Control-click Finder and choose Connect to server.

  3. In the Server address field, type vnc:// followed by the Nord name or Meshnet IP of the Mac you want to access and click Connect. Example

    Remote device's Nord name is entered in the "Connect to Server" dialog

  4. When prompted, enter the name and password of your account on the Mac you're trying to access.

    Remote device's credentials are entered

  5. Click Sign in.

With these steps completed, you should now be connected to your remote Mac over Meshnet.

Alternative remote desktop tools

If you prefer, you can use other remote access software like AnyDesk.

Using AnyDesk

Once remote access is configured on the target Mac, install the AnyDesk app on both the Mac and the device you're connecting from.

For this setup, you won't need remote Mac account credentials. Instead, you can use either manual approval on the remote Mac or set up a dedicated unattended access password.

Optional: Enable unattended access with AnyDesk

By default, AnyDesk needs manual approval for incoming connections. To bypass this, you can enable the app’s Unattended access feature:

  1. On the remote computer, launch AnyDesk .

  2. In the menu bar, click AnyDesk > Preferences.

    Opening AnyDesk preferences from the menu bar

  3. From the menu on the left, under Security, select Access.

  4. Under Unattended access, click Set password.

    "Set password" button is highlighted in the Anydesk preferences.

  5. Enter a secure password that will be used for authentication and click Change password.

    Password fields filled in and an arrow pointing to the "Change password" button.

After applying the changes, you can connect to the remote device without having to manually accept the connection request.

Connect from Windows, macOS, or Linux

On your local machine:

  1. In the NordVPN app, locate and copy the Nord name or Meshnet IP address of the Mac you want to access.

    Nord name and Meshnet IP address of a macOS device highlighted.

  2. Launch AnyDesk you installed earlier.

  3. In the remote address field at the top, enter either the Nord name or the Meshnet IP address of the remote Mac and click Connect.

    Remote Mac's Nord name entered in the address field and the connect button is highlighted.

If you set up an unattended password on the remote Mac:

  1. In the Authorization dialog that appears, enter the password you created for unattended access on the remote Mac and click OK.

  2. Optionally, you can select the Log in automatically from now on checkbox to avoid entering the password again for subsequent connections.

    "Log in automatically from now on" option selected and highlighted.

If you haven't set up an unattended password, wait for the user at the remote Mac to accept the connection request manually.

Connect from Android or iPhone/iPad

On your mobile device:

  1. In the NordVPN app, locate and copy the Nord name or Meshnet IP of the device you want to access.

  2. Open AnyDesk you installed earlier.

  3. In the remote address field, paste either the Nord name or the Meshnet IP address of the remote Mac and tap the arrow button to connect.

If you set up an unattended password on the remote Mac:

  1. In the Authorization dialog, enter the password you created for unattended access on the remote Mac and tap OK.

  2. Optionally, you can select the Log in automatically from now on checkbox to avoid entering the password again for subsequent connections.

    Entering the Unattended access password and tapping OK in the Authorization prompt.

If you haven't set up an unattended password, wait for the user at the remote device to accept the connection request manually.

With these steps completed, you should now be connected to your remote Mac using AnyDesk over Meshnet.

Checklist for a successful connection

If you encounter issues while attempting to connect, check that:

See also

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