How to operate Remote Desktop on a computer other than same network?

[Giuanniello]

Hello,

simple question, I want to be able to work onto a remote computer, I guess I need to know the IP assigned by the provider (please share how to) and to have the rights assigned in system preferences -> remote management (I am translating from Italian as that's my OS language), once I have the IP I should be able to initiate a Remote Desktop session, am I correct?

Grazie

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Not exactly correct.

Knowing the IP only helps if the IP is publicly visible, which it probably isn’t.

There are ways of setting up your network to allow it - but it gets complicated. Much simpler to choose a commercial service for Remote Desktop (e.g. TeamViewer is one I’ve personally used, but there are several).

 

[hobowankenobi]

Yes, the 2 best options:

• A VPN to the existing network, if it could be a company or employer
• A commercial product as mentioned

The reason is that most networks have safeguards that will not allow remote access. To safely and easily work around those security measures, the VPN puts your device on the same network so you can use remote tools as if you were in the office (depending how the VPN is configured). Commercial tools can do the same, once their software agenis t installed on the the compuer you want to remote into.

There is another posisiblity, if you want to connect to a fri'ends Mac, but they must be present to accept: Remote screen connection using Messages.

 

[Antares23]

I use Tailscale to remote into my Windows Server via the Windows app when I'm not at home
It's pretty easy to configure, you just have to look up the IP address of the device you're trying to connect to on Tailscale's admin console