# Remote access permissions ## Introduction This article covers Meshnet’s remote access permission, its functionality while enabled or disabled, and the impact it has on your Meshnet. The article also provides instructions on how to grant or deny the remote access permission for each of your Meshnet peer devices. ## Permission overview Once you enable Meshnet, the devices treat each other as members of a shared private network. The purpose of the remote access permission is to control whether a Meshnet peer can reach your device. The devices can communicate with each other via the Meshnet IP address or the Nord name. By default, [remote access](https://nordvpn.com/meshnet/remote-access/) is enabled for all of your Meshnet devices, but you can modify this setting in[ the Meshnet permission menu](#changing-permissions). ### What happens when remote access is enabled? Your device accepts incoming connections from a Meshnet peer. The connections can be initiated from the same local network or from the outside.
Remote access enabled

Figure 1. Remote access enabled

As illustrated in the model above, data can be exchanged in both directions. This two-way communication between the devices enables a wide range of use cases, including but not limited to: * [Sharing files and folders](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/Ppg3bMoVHwMks6LohjqQ/how-to/remote-files-media-access/set-up-folder-sharing) * [Connecting to hosted game servers](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/Ppg3bMoVHwMks6LohjqQ/how-to/gaming) * [Reaching web servers](https://meshnet.nordvpn.com/~/changes/Ppg3bMoVHwMks6LohjqQ/how-to/joint-projects/nginx-web-server-access) ### What happens when remote access is disabled? Your device does not accept connections from a Meshnet peer. If a connection is attempted (for example, using the `ping` command), it will fail because the recipient will not receive it.
Remote access disabled

Figure 2. Remote access disabled

Having the remote access permission disabled will prevent the peer from accessing any shared folders or services on your device. ## Changing permissions If you want to change the status of the remote access permission, you can do so for each device individually. The Meshnet permission view also indicates whether your peer has enabled or disabled the permission for your device: ![The section "Remote access permissions to the linked device" is highlighted](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2F9d2MvVqKkxuJCU6nQgk8%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=f33c7dfc-3beb-4ee8-b397-fc8b0e48dae7) ### Manage remote access To manage the remote access permission, proceed with the following instructions: {% tabs %} {% tab title="Windows" %} 1. Open the NordVPN app. [Log in](https://my.nordaccount.com/) if necessary. 2. On the left-side menu, select the Meshnet tab. 3. Click the device that you want to alter the permissions for. 4. Under **Remote access permissions**, turn on or off the **Remote access to your device** toggle.
Turning on Remote access to your device
{% endtab %} {% tab title="iOS and Android" %} 1. Open the NordVPN app. [Log in](https://my.nordaccount.com/) if necessary. 2. Tap Meshnet at the bottom of the screen. 3. Select **Manage devices**. 4. Tap the **Permissions** area under the device that you want to alter the permissions for.\ \ Selecting Permissions\ 5. Under **Remote access permissions**, turn on or off **Remote access to your device**. \ \ ![Turning on Remote access to your device](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FsjN17pwGawXJUB2IhLUX%2Fandroid_change_permission_edited.png?alt=media\&token=13e15697-c625-4796-a81e-4e0057ea52cd)
{% endtab %} {% tab title="macOS" %} 1. Open the NordVPN app. [Log in](https://my.nordaccount.com/) if necessary. 2. On the left-side menu, select the Meshnet tab. 3. Click the More![](https://3559400189-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0cTezbT2vN0lurEio8Z5%2Fuploads%2FiMrhaiu2oc54oaBtys4Q%2FUnion.svg?alt=media\&token=45120839-d8fb-4d66-9098-f902c30901c4) button next to the device that you want to alter the permissions for. 4. Select the **Don't allow remote access to your device** or the **Allow remote access to your device** option.
Turning off Remote access to your device
{% endtab %} {% tab title="Linux" %} 1. Open the terminal. 2. Run the following command to list your Meshnet peers:
```bash nordvpn meshnet peer list ``` 3. Note the Nord name of the peer you want to alter permissions for.
An example of entering a device's Nord name
4. To either allow or disable the permission, use one of the following commands, replacing `` with the peer’s Nord name or Meshnet IP:
```bash nordvpn meshnet peer incoming allow nordvpn meshnet peer incoming deny ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %}