# Set up a remote desktop app on your iPad: VNC, Jump Desktop, Screens and more > Which remote desktop apps exist for iPad, how to connect to your Mac and which settings make working comfortable. Source: https://padtailor.app/en/guides/set-up-remote-desktop-app-on-ipad/ · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Author: Remo Adams-Schönfeld ## In short - Apple doesn’t offer its own app to control a Mac from an iPad – you need a remote desktop app from the App Store. - Well-known options are VNC apps for built-in Screen Sharing, Jump Desktop, Screens 5, RealVNC Viewer and Chrome Remote Desktop. - Setup always follows the same pattern: prepare the Mac, install the app, add the Mac, sign in. - A hardware keyboard with trackpad or mouse makes longer sessions much more comfortable. Apple doesn’t offer its own app to control a Mac from an iPad. The Screen Sharing app only exists on the Mac, and Sidecar only works nearby. For real remote access you install a remote desktop app from the App Store. If you haven’t prepared your Mac yet, start with [Set up your Mac for remote access](https://padtailor.app/en/guides/set-up-mac-for-remote-access/). ## How every setup works Whatever app you choose, the steps are almost always the same: 1. **Prepare the Mac:** turn on Screen Sharing, or install the app’s helper and give it the Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions. 2. **Install the app on the iPad** and open it. 3. **Add the Mac:** on the same Wi-Fi the app usually finds it automatically. Otherwise enter its address, or sign in with the same vendor account on both devices. 4. **Sign in** with your Mac user name and password, or the VNC password or PIN you set. 5. **Adjust settings:** image quality, scaling (“fit to screen”), keyboard and mouse. ## The common apps at a glance PadTailor isn’t affiliated with any of these vendors. The list is meant to help you get started. Prices and features change – check the current details on the App Store. ### VNC app + built-in Screen Sharing macOS includes a VNC server: Screen Sharing. Any VNC-capable iPad app can connect to it. You don’t need to install anything on the Mac. - **Mac:** System Settings → General → Sharing → Screen Sharing. - **iPad:** open the VNC app, create a new connection, enter the Mac’s address (for example `192.168.1.20` or `Mac-mini.local`) and sign in with your Mac user or VNC password. - **Good for:** connections on your own network without extra software. ### Jump Desktop Jump Desktop supports RDP, VNC and its own protocol called Fluid, which according to the vendor uses DTLS for encrypted connections. On the Mac you install **Jump Desktop Connect**, which needs the Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions – and on macOS 14 and later optionally a permission for unattended remote access. Jump Desktop offers automatic setup through its website. On iPad the app supports Split View, Apple Pencil, and mouse and trackpad. ### Screens 5 Screens 5 by Edovia connects to the Mac’s Screen Sharing and finds Macs on your local network automatically. For encrypted connections Screens can use an SSH tunnel; for that, turn on **Remote Login** on the Mac. For remote access there’s the free helper **Screens Connect**, and Tailscale is built in. Curtain Mode, which hides the Mac’s screen during the session, is handy. ### RealVNC Viewer RealVNC Viewer connects to **RealVNC Server**, which you install on the Mac, or to other VNC servers. On macOS, RealVNC Server needs the Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions (often listed as “vncagent” in settings). Without them, RealVNC says the picture stays black or is view-only. With a RealVNC account you can reach your Mac while away, too. ### Chrome Remote Desktop Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop is free and needs a Google account: 1. On the Mac, open **remotedesktop.google.com/access** in Chrome, choose to set up remote access and install the host. 2. Give the Mac a name and a **PIN** of at least six digits. 3. When macOS asks, allow the Chrome Remote Desktop host Screen Recording and Accessibility. 4. On the iPad, install the **Chrome Remote Desktop** app, sign in with the same Google account, tap your Mac and enter the PIN. This works over the internet without further setup. ## Settings that make working more comfortable - **Hardware keyboard and trackpad:** with a Magic Keyboard or a Bluetooth mouse, the session feels almost like sitting at the Mac. Check that your app passes through shortcuts such as ⌘-Tab. - **“Fit to screen” / scaling:** keeps the whole picture visible but makes it small. “Actual size” shows sharp pixels but requires scrolling. - **Image quality:** high on Wi-Fi, lower on the go for smooth work. - **Display selection:** if your Mac has several displays, the app often lets you choose which one to show. ## Desktop too small? It’s the shape Even the best app can’t fix one basic problem: it shows your Mac’s monitor, which has a different shape than the iPad. The picture is scaled down and letterboxed. [Why that happens and how to fix it](https://padtailor.app/en/guides/mac-desktop-too-small-on-ipad/). [PadTailor](https://padtailor.app/en/) prepares the Mac desktop for your iPad. Choose your iPad model and interface size, then turn on “iPad display” in the menu bar before connecting. Check the display selection and scaling in your remote app. The exact behavior depends on your client. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a free way to control my Mac from my iPad? Yes. Chrome Remote Desktop is free. You can also use the Screen Sharing built into macOS with a free VNC app. Many paid apps add better image quality, keyboard support or easier remote access. ### What is the best remote desktop app for iPad? It depends on how you use it. For occasional access a free option is enough. For regular work, apps with good keyboard and trackpad support and smooth streaming are worth it. Try several – most have a free version or trial. ### Does PadTailor work with every remote desktop app? PadTailor only changes how the Mac displays its desktop: it gets your iPad’s shape and resolution. Any app that streams the Mac’s screen then shows that desktop. Test your combination during the 14-day free trial – there’s no guarantee for every client.