Overview
Connect to a remote device using Google Remote Desktop. Covers account switching, device selection, PIN authentication, and multi-display handling.
URLs
| Page | URL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Access | https://remotedesktop.google.com/access | Main remote access page |
Critical Constraints
- Account-Specific Devices: Remote devices are registered per Google account
- PIN Required: Each device has its own PIN set during registration
- Remote Device Status: Chrome Remote Desktop must be installed and running on remote device
- Browser Requirement: Works best in Chrome browser
Workflow: Connect to Remote Device
1. Access Remote Desktop
Navigate to https://remotedesktop.google.com/access
2. Check Current Account
Verify you are logged in with the account that has the remote device registered.
Look at the profile icon in the top right to confirm the account.
3. Switch Account (If Needed)
If the wrong account is active:
- Click the profile icon in the top right
- Select the desired account from the dropdown list
- A new tab opens with Remote Desktop for the selected account
4. Select Remote Device
Registered devices appear in the "Remote devices" section.
- Locate the device you want to connect to
- Click on the device name
5. Enter PIN
A PIN input dialog appears:
- Enter the PIN set during device registration
- Optionally check "Remember my PIN on this device" for future connections
- Click "Submit PIN and connect" button
6. Connection Established
When "Connected" is displayed, the remote desktop session is active.
For devices with multiple displays:
- Tabs appear at the top for each display
- Click tabs to switch between displays
Page Structure Reference
Main Page Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Profile icon | Account switcher (top right) |
| Remote devices section | List of registered devices |
| Device card | Clickable device entry |
| Status indicator | Online/Offline status |
PIN Dialog Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| PIN input field | Enter device PIN |
| Remember PIN checkbox | Save PIN for this browser |
| Submit button | "Submit PIN and connect" |
| Cancel button | Close dialog |
Remote Session Elements
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Display tabs | Switch between multiple monitors |
| Session toolbar | Controls for the remote session |
| Disconnect button | End the remote session |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Device not listed | Wrong account | Switch to correct Google account |
| Device shows offline | Remote not running | Start Chrome Remote Desktop on remote device |
| PIN rejected | Wrong PIN | Verify PIN set during device registration |
| Connection timeout | Network issues | Check internet on both devices |
| Black screen | Display sleep | Move mouse or press key on remote device |
Notes
- Each Google account has its own set of registered devices
- PIN is set during initial device registration, can be changed in settings
- "Remember my PIN" only applies to the current browser/device
- Connection quality depends on network speed of both devices
- Session can be ended from either the local or remote device