VNC from iphone to mac without wifi?

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Level 1

0 points

VNC from iphone to mac without wifi?

Hello everyone,

I'd like to know if it is possible to VNC from my iphone/ipad to my macbook without wifi?

I use real VNC viewer to access my Macbook (which has Real VNC Enterprise Server installed) using my iphone/ipad and it works well when I have Internet.

However, I'd also like to be able to control my mac from my iphone in the same fashion when I do not have access to WIFI or wired Internet.

I have scoured the net for answers and while there are plenty of links for controlling your iDevice from your Mac, there is seemingly nothing out there that shows you how to do the reverse in the absence of Wifi.

I have read about SSH tunneling via a tethered USB connection but have not found any comprehensive instructions as to whether such a method would work to control my Macbook with my iPhone/iPad.

I was hoping there would be devices such as receivers plugged into the USB port that would allow this sort of interaction when no Internet is available but haven't come across any.

Does anyone know if this can be done?

Thanks.

Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 8, 2013 3:40 PM

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Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

56,939 points

Jun 8, 2013 4:11 PM in response to Boefhang

VNC only needs an internet connection, and cellular data is an internet connection, so yes you can do it, HOWEVER...

The advantage of WiFi when at home is you are on the same subnet, so you do not have to navigate the internet and home NAT routers.

I would suggest you look into TeamViewer.com, which has Mac as well as iOS versions (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch).

There are other remote screen viewing apps for iOS devices as well.

If you really want to use RealVNC, then since your Cellular internet connection is outside your house, you will need to configure your home router to forward port 5900 from the internet to your Mac. <http://portforward.com>. And since your ISP could change the IP address assigned to your router at any moment, you should then get a free Dynamic DNS name from No-IP.com or DynDNS.org so you can address your Mac via a name instead of an IP address that might change.

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Answer 2

Boefhang Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 8, 2013 6:44 PM in response to BobHarris

Thanks for the response.

Actually, I was referring to circumstances where no Internet connection was to be had at all. That includes no cellular data plan or other forms of online access.

This happens quite frequently for me so I'm hoping for a way to still control my macbook with my ipad/iphone under those situations.

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Answer 3

WYSNWYG

Level 1

25 points

Jun 8, 2013 6:54 PM in response to Boefhang

You might find luck with hosting a wifi hotspot from a device (Weather it can connect to the actual internet or not), and you should still be able to vnc as if it were a local network.

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Answer 4

BobHarris

Level 9

56,939 points

Jun 8, 2013 8:58 PM in response to Boefhang

Your Mac has the ability to create an Ad-hoc network that your iPad/iPhone should be able to join.

Under the WiFi icon on your Mac menu bar should be a Create Network option. Try that.

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