J_M2

Q: Which is best for my needs - Apple desktop remote and Back to Mac?

I need to control a Mac (A) over the internet from a remote computer (B). This might include copying files to (B) and/or screen share and running apps remotely.

 

This is an infrequent need, but I'd like to know what is the best tool ARD or Back to My Mac. Remote Management in the sharing prefs seems to be only for ARD, whereas the instructions for Back to my Mac requires Remote login, File Sharing and Screen Sharing.

 

From what I've read ARD seems to be for local applications, school rooms etc. Is it less suited for internet than Back to Mac?

 

Is one faster? Why choose one over the other?

 

thanks in advance.

 

j

Posted on Apr 23, 2014 2:16 PM

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Q: Which is best for my needs - Apple desktop remote and Back to Mac?

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  • by varjak paw,Helpful

    varjak paw varjak paw Apr 24, 2014 6:33 AM in response to J_M2
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Apr 24, 2014 6:33 AM in response to J_M2

    If all you need is screen sharing and occasional file transfer, ARD would be overkill. But you can read up on the features of each and decide for yourself which would best suit your needs:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4907

     

    http://www.apple.com/remotedesktop/

     

    Regards.

  • by J_M2,

    J_M2 J_M2 Apr 24, 2014 6:43 AM in response to varjak paw
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 24, 2014 6:43 AM in response to varjak paw

    Thanks Varjak

     

    I have BTMM installed, and have ARD but have been afraid to install it over BTMM because I read a little about some issues with setup, in particular turning on "Remote Management" in Prefs/Sharing, turns of "Screen Sharing". So I didn't want to mess around with that problem and create other problems since I need to go to another location to test whether any of this works.

     

    Can they co-exist?  Both BTMM and ARD if Screen Sharing is turned off?

     

    BTW, I think you are correct, I probably don't need ARD, so if this is an issue I'll just go with BTMM.

     

    thanks again,

  • by varjak paw,

    varjak paw varjak paw Apr 24, 2014 6:57 AM in response to J_M2
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Apr 24, 2014 6:57 AM in response to J_M2

    Someone else here may know of a workaround I don't, but to the best of my knowledge BTMM and ARD cannot coexist. So you'll probably need to choose one or the other.

     

    Regards.