Chrome Remote Desktop iPhone Alternative (Poket PC)
As of 2026-09-26
Google has discontinued the Chrome Remote Desktop native iOS app. A user reported the deprecation notice as early as 25 December 2024, press coverage dated 6 September 2025 reported the removal, and a Google support thread now points iPhone users to the web app at remotedesktop.google.com/access. If you relied on an App Store icon for Mac access, you are looking for an alternative. This page compares Chrome Remote Desktop’s current iPhone path with Poket PC on sourced facts as of 26 September 2026.
At a glance
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Poket PC | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Google’s free remote desktop (hosts on Windows, macOS, Linux; iPhone uses browser web app) | Mac menu-bar helper plus iPhone app |
| Controls a Mac from iPhone | Partial (virtual trackpad mode only for Mac hosts on iPhone) | Yes |
| Free tier | No paid tiers listed; PIN per computer for unattended access | 1.0 free: no ads, no in-app purchases |
| Paid price (as listed) | $0 (no paid plans listed) | Free (1.0) |
| Account required | Yes (Google sign-in) | No |
| End-to-end encryption | Unclear in cited Google network docs for relayed WebRTC | Yes (Noise IK end-to-end through the relay; the relay sees metadata, not content) |
| AI agent | None listed | Ask on the Mac (Claude Code or Ollama) |
| Multi-monitor | Not listed in cited sources | Main display only |
| File transfer | Not listed in cited sources | Not available yet (planned) |
As of 2026-09-26 · sources below
What changed on iPhone
The App Store listing for Chrome Remote Desktop (id944025852) is gone in the US: Apple’s lookup returns no result and the App Store page returns 404 as of 26 September 2026. Users with old installs see a deprecation message pointing to the installable web app. Google’s iPhone help now describes opening remotedesktop.google.com/access in the browser and adding it to the Home Screen for full-screen use. One Google help page still tells mobile users to download the app, which no longer applies on iOS.
That is a different experience from a native remote-desktop app: a browser session, a Google account sign-in, and platform limits on how touch maps to a Mac host.
When Chrome Remote Desktop is the better pick
You want zero software cost and already live in Google accounts. Chrome Remote Desktop has no paid tier in Google’s store listing. If your Mac is already set up for remote access with a PIN and you only need occasional access, staying on Google’s stack avoids new helpers.
You also remote into Windows PCs from the same phone. On iPhone, touch input modes apply to Windows hosts; that can matter if Mac trackpad-only mode feels limiting.
You are fine with browser-based control and Google sign-in.
You do not need AI tasks or one-tap tiles beyond what the web client offers.
When Poket PC is the better pick
You want a native iPhone app aimed at Mac control, not a Home Screen shortcut to a web client. Poket PC streams the main display, offers a trackpad, keyboard, and one-tap tiles. The iPhone app is in a public TestFlight beta while 1.0 is in App Review; see beta.
Mac hosts need more than virtual trackpad mode on the phone. Poket PC is built for seeing and tapping the live Mac screen from iPhone.
You prefer no Google account for pairing. Poket PC pairs with QR and a six-digit code; no sign-in.
You want end-to-end encryption with a documented relay threat model on security. The relay forwards ciphertext; it sees IP addresses, timing and sizes, not your screen.
You want Ask to run jobs on the Mac while you are away, using Claude Code or Ollama on that Mac.
You accept Poket PC limits today: Mac host only, main display only (30 fps), no file transfer.
Migrating from Chrome Remote Desktop on iPhone
- Install the Poket PC helper on the Mac from the Mac download page and grant Accessibility and Screen Recording.
- Join the public TestFlight beta from the beta page, then choose Pair New Device in the helper’s menu, scan the QR code with the iPhone app and compare the six-digit code.
- Leave Chrome Remote Desktop installed until you confirm Poket PC covers your workflows (tiles, Ask, away-from-home relay).
For setup detail, read how to control your Mac from your iPhone.
Sources
- Google support thread on missing iOS app and web app redirect: https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/405236681/i-cannot-find-the-chrome-remote-desktop-at-the-apple-app-store?hl=en
- Earliest user report of the deprecation notice (2024-12-25): https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/315205769/where-is-the-ios-version-of-chrome-remote-desktop?hl=en
- Google Chrome Remote Desktop help for iOS (browser web app, trackpad mode): https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS
- Google network guide (encrypted sessions; relay E2EE not stated): https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/16364503?hl=en
- Press report on iOS app discontinuation (2025-09-06): https://piunikaweb.com/2025/09/06/chrome-remote-desktop-ios-app-discontinued/
- Apple lookup for the old app id (no result): https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=944025852&country=us
- Chrome Remote Desktop on Google Play (free, no in-app purchases): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.chromeremotedesktop&hl=en_US&gl=US
More options: Chrome Remote Desktop alternatives and the compare index.
Checked on 26 September 2026. Tell us if something changed: support@poketpc.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a Chrome Remote Desktop app for iPhone?
No. The native iOS app is discontinued and no longer listed in the US App Store as of September 2026. Google directs iPhone users to remotedesktop.google.com/access in the mobile browser, added to the Home Screen for full-screen use.
Can Chrome Remote Desktop control a Mac from an iPhone?
Partially. On iPhone, touch input modes work only for Windows hosts; Mac and Linux hosts use virtual trackpad mode only, per Google's platform help.
Does Chrome Remote Desktop cost money?
Google lists no paid tier for Chrome Remote Desktop; the Android app is free with no in-app purchases listed.
Do I need a Google account?
Yes. Access to remotedesktop.google.com/access redirects through Google sign-in.
Why consider Poket PC instead?
Poket PC is a native iPhone workflow for your Mac: live screen, trackpad, keyboard, tiles, and Ask, with QR pairing and no Google account. Version 1.0 is free with no ads.