Disclosure: we make SofaDeck, which is mentioned below. Facts about iOS, macOS, Windows and other products were checked on 26 October 2026 and can change with software updates. SofaDeck is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft or Google; all trademarks belong to their owners.
Short answer: turn on Settings → System → Remote Desktop on the PC, install Microsoft's free Windows App (the renamed Remote Desktop app) on the iPhone, add the PC by name or IP address and sign in with your Windows account. That needs Windows 11 Pro or higher on the PC; Windows 11 Home can't accept Remote Desktop connections, so on Home use Chrome Remote Desktop instead. Below: both setups, how touch control works on a small screen, safe access from outside your home, and the errors people hit most.
First, check your Windows edition
Open Settings → System → About and read Edition under Windows specifications.
| Windows 11 edition | Microsoft Remote Desktop host? | Best iPhone option |
|---|---|---|
| Home | No | Chrome Remote Desktop (free) |
| Pro | Yes | Windows App, or Chrome Remote Desktop |
| Enterprise / Education | Yes (may be managed by your organisation) | Windows App, as your IT team sets it up |
Upgrading Home to Pro is done in Settings → System → Activation; Microsoft's price varies by country. Chrome Remote Desktop costs nothing, so try it first if Home is all you have.
Option 1: Windows App on the iPhone (Windows 11 Pro)
- On the PC (Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education), open Settings → System → Remote Desktop and turn Remote Desktop on, then confirm.
- Note the PC name shown on that page, or find the PC's IP address under Settings → Network & internet → your connection → Properties.
- Make sure the account you'll use has a password (Microsoft account: its email and password) and is listed under Remote Desktop users; administrators are allowed by default.
- Set the PC's power plan so it doesn't sleep while you need it, or plan to wake it with Wake-on-LAN.
- On the iPhone, install Windows App from the App Store, tap + → Add PC, and enter the PC name or IP address.
- Tap the new PC tile, enter the Windows username and password, accept the certificate prompt the first time, and the desktop appears.
Keep Require devices to use Network Level Authentication switched on in the PC's Remote Desktop settings; Windows App supports it, and it stops unauthenticated connections early. When you connect, the PC's own screen locks, and only one person can use the desktop at a time on Windows 11 Pro.
Using a Windows desktop with your fingers
Windows App has two input modes, switched from the toolbar at the top of the session:
| Mode | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Touch (direct) | Your finger taps exactly where you touch, like a touchscreen PC | Big buttons, scrolling, Windows apps built for touch |
| Mouse pointer | A pointer moves like a trackpad; tap to click, two-finger tap to right-click | Small targets, menus, desktop programs |
Pinch to zoom into a corner of the desktop, and use the keyboard button on the toolbar to type. A 1080p or 4K desktop is a lot to squeeze onto a phone, so for regular use set the session to a lower resolution or turn the phone sideways.
Option 2: Chrome Remote Desktop (Windows 11 Home or Pro)
- On the PC, open remotedesktop.google.com/access in Chrome or Edge and sign in with a Google account.
- Click the download button under Set up remote access, install the host, give the PC a name and choose a PIN of at least six digits.
- On the iPhone, install Chrome Remote Desktop from the App Store and sign in with the same Google account.
- Tap the PC, enter the PIN, and the desktop appears. It works from anywhere with internet, with no router changes.
It works on every Windows edition, but it's a Google service: the connection is brokered through Google's servers (the session itself is encrypted), and you need a Google account.
Reaching the PC from outside your home, safely
Windows App connects straight to the PC, which is easy at home and awkward away from it. The tempting fix — forwarding port 3389 on your router — puts Remote Desktop on the open internet, where it is scanned and attacked within hours. Better options:
- A mesh VPN such as Tailscale: install it on the PC and iPhone, sign in to the same account, and connect Windows App to the PC's VPN name or address. No ports opened.
- Your router's VPN server, if it has one (WireGuard or OpenVPN): connect the iPhone to it, then use the PC's home address.
- Chrome Remote Desktop for occasional access, since it needs no network setup at all.
A PC that's asleep can't answer. If you need to start it remotely, see how to set up Wake-on-LAN on Windows 11.
Common errors and fixes
| Message or symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| We couldn't connect to the remote PC | Remote Desktop off, wrong name, PC asleep or on another network | Check the toggle, use the IP address, wake the PC, confirm you're on the same Wi-Fi or VPN |
| Your credentials did not work | Using the Windows Hello PIN, or a Microsoft account without the full email | Type the full email and account password |
| The user account is not authorized | Account isn't in Remote Desktop users | Add it under Settings → System → Remote Desktop → Remote Desktop users |
| Works at home, not away | Direct connections don't cross the internet | Use a VPN or Chrome Remote Desktop |
| Connects, then the PC's screen locks | Normal Remote Desktop behaviour | Sign in again at the PC when you're back |
| Very laggy | Weak Wi-Fi or mobile signal, high resolution | Lower the session resolution; use 5 GHz Wi-Fi |
When remote desktop is the wrong tool
Remote desktop is right when you need to see the screen: a file, a settings page, something at work. If you're in the same room as the PC and just want it to play, pause, change the volume or open an app, a full desktop on a 6-inch screen is the slow way. SofaDeck turns the iPhone into a remote with big buttons and voice commands for a Windows PC or Mac on your home Wi-Fi, working in Safari with no App Store download — while you look at the PC's own screen. Compare the approaches in how to control your PC from an iPhone and PC remote apps compared, or use the phone as a trackpad with your phone as a mouse and keyboard.
Direct installer .exe · 3.7 MB Store version signed by Microsoft No account Local network only Signed updates SofaDeck installs on your Windows PC. Your phone is the remote — it works in the phone’s browser.One email from support@dixonappstudio.com. No list unless you tick the box. PrivacyOr on your PC, go to sofadeck.com/getFrequently asked questions
Can I use Remote Desktop from my iPhone to a Windows 11 Home PC?
Not with Microsoft's own Remote Desktop: Windows 11 Home can connect out to other PCs but can't accept Remote Desktop connections. Use Chrome Remote Desktop instead, which is free and works on Home, or upgrade the PC to Windows 11 Pro.
What is the Microsoft Remote Desktop app called on iPhone now?
Windows App. Microsoft renamed the iOS Remote Desktop app to Windows App in 2024. It is the same free app from the App Store and still connects to PCs with Remote Desktop turned on.
What username and password do I use?
The Windows account on the PC. For a Microsoft account, type the full email address and the account password, not the Windows Hello PIN. If you have only ever signed in with a PIN, sign in once with the password on the PC, or turn off the Windows Hello-only sign-in option, before Remote Desktop will accept it.
How do I use Remote Desktop from my iPhone when I'm away from home?
Don't open port 3389 on your router: exposed Remote Desktop is constantly attacked. Put the iPhone and PC on a VPN (your router's VPN server or a mesh VPN such as Tailscale) and connect to the PC's VPN address, or use Chrome Remote Desktop, which works over the internet without router changes.