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Apple Remote Desktop has proven to be an invaluable tool for a wide range of users and organizations. IT departments, in particular, rely …
Overview
What is Apple Remote Desktop?
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), from Apple, is a remote administration tool for managing Apple computers running OS X across a network.
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Popular Features
- Instant message (20)9.393%
- File transfer (24)9.090%
- Screen sharing (25)8.989%
- Remote management of servers & workstations (21)8.484%
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What is Apple Remote Desktop?
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), from Apple, is a remote administration tool for managing Apple computers running OS X across a network.
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Apple Remote Desktop 3 Demo -Copy from remote to local-
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What is Apple Remote Desktop?
Apple Remote Desktop Video
Installation and the basic how-to of Remote Desktop in macOS 10.5.
Apple Remote Desktop Technical Details
| Operating Systems | Unspecified |
|---|---|
| Mobile Application | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple Remote Desktop (ARD), from Apple, is a remote administration tool for managing Apple computers running OS X across a network.
Reviewers rate Instant message highest, with a score of 9.3.
The most common users of Apple Remote Desktop are from Enterprises (1,001+ employees).
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TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!
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Apple Remote Desktop has proven to be an invaluable tool for a wide range of users and organizations. IT departments, in particular, rely on this software for remote access, support, and maintenance tasks. Users appreciate the ability to remotely view and command multiple machines at once, which improves efficiency and saves time. The software is particularly helpful for silently pushing updates or gathering information about computer usage behind the scenes. It also offers encrypted connections and compressed data traffic, ensuring secure and efficient remote support. This makes it a popular choice for organizations that prioritize data security.
Educators have also found value in Apple Remote Desktop, using it to enhance student engagement through screen sharing and remote control. It allows educators to observe multiple devices simultaneously and organize them according to grade levels. In an educational setting, the software supports content and use management, facilitating screen sharing and file sharing among students. Additionally, Apple Remote Desktop streamlines logins for young students by pushing login information for various software programs.
Developers utilize Apple Remote Desktop to remotely work on Mac devices for iOS and macOS application builds. The software enables seamless collaboration by providing remote access to Mac Mini devices, allowing developers to work on their projects without being physically present at the machine. Support teams also find great value in this tool as they can connect to end users' macOS devices for troubleshooting desktop support issues and performing software updates without needing physical access to the machines.
Overall, Apple Remote Desktop offers a wide range of features that cater to diverse user needs. Whether it's IT administrators managing a large number of computers or educators improving student engagement, this software provides the necessary tools to save time, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity in various professional settings.
User-Friendly Interface: Many users have praised the user interface of Apple Remote Desktop, noting that it is simple, intuitive, and easy to navigate. They appreciate the top navigation bar that provides quick access to all necessary tools and elements in the software, making tasks effortless to perform.
Reliable Remote Access: Several reviewers have highlighted the reliability of Apple Remote Desktop's remote access capabilities. They mention that the software can remotely access Apple computers even if they are not logged in or at the login screen. This feature has proven particularly useful for performing updates or managing machines without interrupting the user's workflow.
Comprehensive Feature Set: Users value the wide range of functionality provided by Apple Remote Desktop at a low cost. They mention features such as remote searching on devices, screen capture sharing, file copy transfer, application installation, and automator actions that automate workflow tasks and save time. This comprehensive set of features makes Apple Remote Desktop a valuable tool for various tasks.
Cross-platform limitations: Some users have expressed disappointment that Apple Remote Desktop is only compatible with Mac computers, and they would like to see more support for iOS and mobile devices.
Performance issues: Several users have mentioned that the performance of Apple Remote Desktop can be slow, especially when running operations on multiple machines simultaneously.
Outdated user interface: Many users have found the user interface of Apple Remote Desktop to be outdated and in need of improvement. They feel that the interface can be confusing and requires specific configurations on endpoints.
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Reviews
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December 08, 2022
Apple Remote Desktop... Great for onsite Apple remote access!
Apple Remote Desktop works for us to manage all of our Apple computers on site. We can control screens, share files, run commands and manage the devices remotely. We use it for this basic functionality as an occasional alternative to other remote management products that we also run. Sometimes Apple Remote Desktop is the only software that can access the computer in a pinch.
- It is very reliable.
- It can access Apple computers remotely even if they are not logged in or even at the login screen in the case of an update.
- It's basic remote management features work well.
- It's onsite only without setting up a VPN or some other form of remote network access.
- It can be a little slow sometimes when compared to local access.
- It seems to be a neglected product by Apple and not continually developed.
March 12, 2020
It's free, it's Apple-native, and it just works
We used to use ARD when we had Mac-based Zoom Room setups, but after changing our ZR environment, we only use ARD on a couple of dashboard setups in the org. It proved to be very helpful when it came to working on machines that don't have regular human interaction (we would use Zoom to do remote support when a human was on the other end).
- Remote support of headless systems.
- IP addresses are easily seen.
- Latency never seemed to be an issue.
- UI seems dated.
- Specific configurations are needed on endpoints.
- It would be nice to get a notification when an endpoint comes back online after rebooting.
February 04, 2019
Powerful and Sophisticated Remote Administration for Mac Computers
We are using Apple Remote Desktop for managing Mac computers on our network. The product is being used to perform administrative tasks such as on-demand remote assistance, remote software installations and perform AutoInstall using Task Server to minimize human intervention on scheduled tasks.
Automator Actions is another cool feature we use often. You can create a workflow of tasks you want to perform and then schedule them to execute automatically on client machines.
One of the coolest features which I haven't used elsewhere is "Curtain Mode" while performing an administrative task on a client machine. You can block the local user's view of his own screen while performing administrative tasks.
Automator Actions is another cool feature we use often. You can create a workflow of tasks you want to perform and then schedule them to execute automatically on client machines.
One of the coolest features which I haven't used elsewhere is "Curtain Mode" while performing an administrative task on a client machine. You can block the local user's view of his own screen while performing administrative tasks.
- Automator Actions: This is a very cool feature and cost saving as it reduces human effort by automating the workflow of tasks.
- Curtain Mode: This lets you block your local user's view of the desktop while performing administrative tasks.
- Spotlight Search: It can perform lightning fast searches on machines using the spotlight search feature of OS X and thus saves a lot of time.
- As apple usually does, this is only for Mac computers. This is not a cross-platform utility.
- There is no mobile device interface to this software, it is only available on Mac App Store.
June 05, 2018
Apple Remote Desktop - The Time Saver
We use Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) to remotely repair computers, push out updates, and troubleshoot issues for our IT department. It allows us to remotely view and command several machines at once saving us time.
- Remote commands for doing things to a large number of devices
- Allows us to see what the user is seeing
- Allows us to repair things without leaving the office.
- Can be slow at times
- Network scanners don't always pull up all devices
- Agent running on client machines has to be restarted occasionally
November 21, 2017
Take a bite out of this Apple Remote Desktop
I use Apple Remote Desktop to login into my work computer remotely. It is two different interfaces that I am dealing with and I have yet to have any issues, if anything it is very fast and easy to use. My whole department uses it if they have a need for it, and it is made available to the whole campus. It addresses the issue of having to conform to using one thing to access your work, makes it easier to get things done.
- Fast, this is great because usually remote desktops are rather slow.
- Group demos, helps me when I am needing to show multiple people things.
- Ease of use, freedom. Since it is so easy to use it makes it easier to not have to be stuck in front of your office computer.
- Initial login, I had to look up how to do it.
- Since everything is driven with mouse/touchpad. I have lost the remote desktop before and this has caused it to log out.
- More shortcuts.
November 14, 2017
MR.Power ON ARD
Apple Remote Desktop is being used specifically for content and use management, at the school level, for managing students. The most used tools are computer screen sharing, file drops and locking labs of computers down during lesson plans. The entire organization of our school utilizes Apple Remote Desktop, as the entire school has MAC labs and MAC computers. All departments and educators have access to ARD in the entire building.
The problem that ARD addresses is the need to have a tool available for educators to improve the quality and control of the educational experience. Students often need files sent to them for lessons or project based learning. During other times teachers will need to use ARD in order to address the issue of student engagement and use Apple Remote Desktop to improve engagement by either screen sharing or sharing a student's screen to the rest of the class of students.
The problem that ARD addresses is the need to have a tool available for educators to improve the quality and control of the educational experience. Students often need files sent to them for lessons or project based learning. During other times teachers will need to use ARD in order to address the issue of student engagement and use Apple Remote Desktop to improve engagement by either screen sharing or sharing a student's screen to the rest of the class of students.
- Apple Remote Desktop has a very simple and easy to navigate user interface. The top navigation bar allows for easy and quick access to all necessary tools and elements in ARD.
- Apple Remote Desktop connects to all the computers on the network allowing for ease of use. This is a strength because it always works on the first attempt.
- Apple Remote Desktop drops files directly onto the desktop for all students without needing to use google drive.
- Apple Remote Desktop allows for sharing one screen to the rest of the class to allow to show student work to all students at once.
- Apple Remote Desktop could improve by allowing you to drop files into specific folders rather than on to a messy desktop where some files may get lost or not seen quickly.
- Apple Remote Desktop sometimes has a small lag. When I click my mouse I often need to wait another second or check the student machines to make sure that what they are seeing is what I am doing. It seems as if it does not live stream perfectly.
- Apple Remote Desktop pictures do not show up as clean and clear as they do on the screen I am sharing with. My teacher iMac shows quality images, however, when screen shared the ARD screen share shows a lower quality imagine with less colors shown.
April 05, 2017
Got stress?? Apple Remote Desktop does the Tech good...
Apple Remote Desktop is being used in our school district on each campus. I currently use Apple Remote Desktop to troubleshoot classroom and lab computers as needed. I also use Apple Remote Desktop to update computer software as new updates are released. I also use Apple Remote Desktop to make it easier for teachers, who bring in 20-25 Pre-Kindergarten students, by logging the lab computers in through Apple Remote Desktop. This creates less stress for the teachers and allows the students more time to work on their programs instead of sitting waiting for the teacher to log them in one by one. I also use Apple Remote Desktop to push log in information for different software programs. Apple Remote Desktop allows me to work on numerous computers quickly and more efficiently. I currently have over 250 computers that I manage on a daily basis and without Apple Remote Desktop it would be impossible to touch each and every computer.
- Provides a way to log the lab and classroom computers on to allow teachers to teach instead of one by one logging on the younger students.
- Provides a way to update the computers all at once, which is particularly handy for the numerous Adobe Flash updates that come out regularly.
- Provides a way to push scripts to maintain the computers and set power settings.
- Allows me to remote into a trouble computer across the building to help when a problem arises.
- Sometimes Apple Remote Desktop is finicky when it comes to wireless connection. If a lab computer drops the ethernet, Apple Remote Desktop can't always find the computer.
- Setting of power settings can be messed up when certain scripts are ran and I haven't found a way to "reset" back to default. It has that option but it does not work to reset to default. I have 25 computers that no longer turn them selves on in the morning, even though the setting in the power settings has it scheduled to do so.
- Depending on the day, Apple Remote Desktop does not search or scan as well as other days.
December 15, 2016
Great tool!
It is used to monitor students when they work on MacBooks. I use it to maintain, update, install and distribute certain applications remotely. It's good enough to take a peek at a number of devices at the same time. I can control how I want to have a look at the devices by just "observing" (without knowledge of the client) or having a total control on the device. It also helps in organizing the devices according to their grade levels. At certain times UNIX commands can be used to control the macs. There are many many more features of Apple remote desktop, and it all depends on the users how to make use of all of its features.
- District softwares remotely/silently.
- Can be used to observe (specifically for the students).
- Used to organize (name and tag) devices in the organization.
- To set up some of the control features on the macs, like the system preferences settings, which can allow me to give controlled access to my students.
May 06, 2016
Apple Remote Desktop will save you time & money
Apple remote desktop (ARD) is a key tool in any Macintosh system administrators tool box. Made by Apple itself and currently supporting remote connectivity to any of its operating systems, it's the tool you need. The ability to secure and collect any amount of systems across an organization for remote access or remote installs and commands makes my job easier every day. The price for ARD is also under $100 from Apple's app store, this makes it very easy to recommend for support and keeps you in budget with your company. Being able to use a remote task server also allows ARD to be able to do tasks for you when you aren't around, further lightening your work load. IT also offers encrypted connections to users systems and compressed data traffic.
- Software deployments via PKG file installs remotely.
- Multiple observation of more then one computer at a time on screen.
- Remote terminal command line interface.
- It is resource intensive, sometimes it becomes locked up or unstable.
- The UI is dated and could be improved on.
- Would be nice if it offered abilities to clone or remotely install OS X upgrades.
October 30, 2015
Apple Remote Desktop Used In K-12 World
We use Apple Remote Desktop across the board in IT to manage, update and provide remote support for our end users on the Mac platform.
- Push and manage updates.
- Provide remote management and support.
- One easy tool to gather information regarding machines in the field.
- User friendly.
- More support for iOS and mobile devices.
- More support with pushing updates to mobile devices
- Remote lock a device or wipe a device that has been stolen.