Screens: VNC Remote Desktop Reviews

Great overall, but has limitations

4$VV

This is one of the best few remote desktop apps for iOS that I’ve used. It seems to have the best support and the fewest bugs. I took off a star, because it doesn’t work well with basic X11 applications such as XTerm, which require a secondary click-and-drag. The two-finger gestures on this app allow only for a secondary click.

A must-have to remotely control your Mac

Swalloda

I use the app mostly on my phone (and occasionally on the iPad) to check on Mac desktops and servers. Indispensable.

Still no Bluetooth mouse support!

tchaten

I can’t believe the Citrix X1 or other iOS mice aren’t supported that is the sole reason I decided to be a JumpDesktop user and is such a core experience to using a mouse/keyboard based computer. I’ve tried the iPhone as a trackpad thing and it just isn’t the same, no where near as good for serious use.

Pretty cool!

A. Non E. Mouse

My MacBook Pro is upstairs analyzing neuroscience data and working on a massive TimeMachine backup, I’m in the recliner downstairs with my iPad Pro checking in and clicking buttons when needed. Very nice! The only negative is that I use the Dvorak keyboard layout, so typing characters like _ are next to impossible unless I change the layout. I would be okay with it switching to US when I’m remotely connected.

Does not work with multiple screens

tntmrt

I have to remember to unplug my external monitors every night or the mouse clicks will not work when connected, rendering it virtually unusable. Just powering them off is not enough. It is a bit of a pain. When it works, it works well.

Hit or miss

Rey G

This thing is hit or miss if it’s actually gonna connect. Unreliable at best.

Auto Config Needs Work

Dave_Marsh

I’ve been using this app for years since John Gruber recommended it. It works pretty well on my local network, but has problems auto configuring to AT&T routers for remote access. It auto configured fine with my Apple AirPort Extreme router at my last home, when I was using a Comcast gateway for my Internet access, but after moving to another location and switching to an AT&T router, it now requires complex manual port configuration to open ports for remote access. This is scary enough for me that I’ve stopped using it for remote access, and now use iTeleport for remote access. It seems to have no problem configuring itself to allow remote access through my AT&T router. The primary usability difference between Screens and iTeleport is that Screens uses direct screen touching to take actions, whereas iTeleport uses a pointer cursor to control the remote computer. The touch interface seems cool at first, but soon gets in the way since you can’t see what you’re touching under your finger. The arrow pointer works just like a mouse, and hence is easier for me to use when I’m accessing my main computer from my tiny iPad screen. But, of course, YMMV. The developer got back to me about by configuration issue, which is fine, but misses my point. There are many tools around to remote access devices on your local network that require a level of expertise to configure. I’m not interested in potentially corrupting my internet router by manually playing with its configuration. I’m only interested in apps that will automatically configure it for me. Screens auto configured fine on my old Comcast router. It doesn’t on my new AT&T router. iTeleport auto configures fine on both.

Constant ads!

Xevious Mann

Constantly kicks me out of a connection with an ad for screens connect. Tapping no just gives me a few minutes til it happens again.

Skeptical no more

Pariah Zero

I saw the price and thought to myself: how can yet another Remote Desktop client possibly be better than the legion of (far cheaper) clients I’ve used for over a decade? Remote clients are about as utilitarian as software comes: just show me the other computer’s screen and let me pass input to it. They do their job by getting out of the way. Screens has managed to pull it off - it’s hands down the best iOS VNC client I’ve used. It has an amount of polish and thought in its design that I didn’t think possible. It “gets out of my way” better than anything else I’ve tried, letting me focus on the task at hand.

Best iOS VNC Client by far.

grantmaier687

Update 2/15/18 - Not sure what it was, but today’s update fixed that finder window lag I had been experiencing for months now. Kudos, and great work Edovia! Been using this app for years. Touch input is fantastic, and the gestures to show/hide dock, menu bar are really great and a small detail I appreciate. I’ve had some issues with lag/windows hanging on screen (finder windows especially) since version 4.4.4, and iOS 11 has affected some of those swipe to show hide menu bar/dock gestures, but this has happened in the past with prior versions of the app and I know the developer will work it out in future updates. Bravo for a great app.

Screens: VNC Remote Desktop Reviews – Page 9