You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

rcook349 Author

Level 1

16 points

Remote Desktop for Mac won't connect (but will from Windows)

I'm trying to remote onto a Windows 2012 Server using Remote Desktop Connection for Mac. Using the same credentials, it works from my Windows PC (using Remote Desktop for Windows), but trying to do it from my Mac I get the error:

Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the computer that you want to connect to.
Try reconnecting to the Windows-based computer, or contact our administrator.

Is it possible that the remote server allows connects from only Windows clients? Surely not. Any help greatly appreciated.

Posted on Jan 10, 2015 9:59 AM

Top-ranking reply

jaredfs

Level 2

315 points

Posted on Jan 12, 2015 11:05 AM

It's more likely that its the Mac's fault than that the remote server is refusing you. It's probably something to do with a failure to establish an encrypted connection to the Server.

I'd recommend using Microsoft Remote Desktop. It's a free app in the app store for OS X and iOS devices and connects flawlessly to PCs from Apple devices.

View in context

25 replies

Jul 29, 2016 8:01 AM in response to rcook349

My solution was combination of other users suggestions - thanks all!

I had to turn off windows firewall then use remote desktop app which prompted me to generate the certificate. If the firewall is on you will not be prompted, at least in my experience. Once generated I was able to turn back on windows firewall.

Aug 6, 2016 9:06 AM in response to rcook349

Exact same problem: I upgraded my PC to Win 10 last weekend and could no longer connect. I was banging my head against the wall until last night when I opened Information on my Microsoft remote desktop app: it was from 2008. Downloaded the current version from Apple's App Store and all is well.

godrays

Level 1

4 points

Mar 18, 2017 1:34 PM in response to rcook349

I downloaded the latest version of Microsoft RDP from Appstore and Turned off firewall but still cannot connect from my macOS Sierra to Windows Server 2016 (Windows 10).

Did anyone try RDP from macOs Sierra to Windows 10 PC?

rcook349 Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 12, 2015 11:41 AM in response to jaredfs

I am using Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection for Mac. Like I said, on Windows machine (using RDC for Win) success. On Mac (using RDC for Mac) failure.

Jan 21, 2015 10:10 AM in response to rcook349

Did this ever get resolved? I'm having the SAME EXACT problem. Using, Microsoft Remote Desktop... I can't connect remotely on my Mac... but I can connect without issue using the Windows version.

singhrv

Level 1

5 points

Jan 13, 2016 9:49 PM in response to rcook349

I had the very same issue. But, as suggested by someone here, I downloaded Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Appstore and the connection went through instantly

Jan 12, 2016 3:46 AM in response to Ryan Duff

Please install below app which better than Cord and Microsoft Remote Desktop

https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/microsoft-remote-desktop/id715768417?mt=12

sachhuum

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2015 9:25 AM in response to darshsen

This Orange remote desktop app from darshen's link worked. The original app that came with my microsoft install on Mac with Disk and Antenna icon didn't.

sp4cecat

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2015 11:37 PM in response to rcook349

Have you tried turning Windows Firewall off completely - this worked for me.

Mar 9, 2017 9:25 AM in response to singhrv

Thank you so much. That is a great app.

Remote Desktop for Mac won't connect (but will from Windows)