'Parallels Access' Brings Remote Desktop Access to iPhone - MacRumors
Skip to Content

'Parallels Access' Brings Remote Desktop Access to iPhone

Parallels has updated its Parallels Access app, which allows iPad users access their Mac or Windows desktops on their tablets, with iPhone support, allowing iPhone users to also access their desktops on the go.
iphoneparallels

“Parallels Access received a tremendously positive reception from iPad users, and now we are extending our solution to millions of Android and iPhone users. While traditional remote desktop products are trying to show a large desktop on a small mobile device, we worked hard to make remote access from mobile devices a truly simple and effective experience,” said Jack Zubarev, president of Parallels.

The update also includes the ability to use an iPhone or iPad's microphone remotely for desktop apps that may require them, the ability to change the screen resolution, the ability to wake a sleeping remote computer, Facebook login integration and a new file browser. The browser allows users to browse and open files on their iPad or iPhone.


Users must download the free Parallels Access app on both their desktop of choice and iPad or iPhone. They can then launch their desktop apps in "full-screen mode" via a SpringBoard-like App Launcher. While the apps are free, users must subscribe to the service, which costs $19.99 a year for up to five remote desktops. Parallels also offers a two-week free trial.

Parallels Access is a universal app that's available for free in the App Store. [Direct Link]

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Thursday July 30, 2026 6:12 am PDT by
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. Labor Day is September 7 this year. The last time the holiday fell on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the last time Labor Day was on September 7 in a normal year was in ...
macbook ultra

MacBook Ultra's New Design Won't Stay Exclusive for Long

Thursday July 30, 2026 6:00 pm PDT by
The touchscreen and the OLED panel have dominated discussion about Apple's next high-end laptop, but the redesign wrapped around them may prove to be an equally consequential change, largely because it is not expected to stay unique to the machine for long. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last week laid out Apple's plan to refresh every Mac it sells over the next two years. In the report, he...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...

Top Rated Comments

158 months ago
I miss when you pay one price for software and don't have recurring billing...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SPUY767 Avatar
158 months ago
Kind of a bold claim since I've been using TeamViewer for two years.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
158 months ago
I miss when you pay one price for software and don't have recurring billing...

Me too. I also won't pay for a subscription service like this and the fewer who do, the less likely they are to persist with the billing strategy.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
figaro331 Avatar
158 months ago
Who would need Parallels Access subscription?!!!!

Kind of a bold claim since I've been using TeamViewer for two years.
Who would need Parallels Access subscription when so many software of that kind you just pay less and pay only once. Example: Jump Desktop -excellent software, more features, awesome speed, etc -exceeds Parallels Access by many points !
I wish Parallels team : get real,Guys, use common sense !:):):)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Prodo123 Avatar
158 months ago
Why is reinventing the wheel such big news?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
158 months ago
I had tried downloading splashtop, logmein, and team viewer previously.

Ended up paying $20 for Screens - seems to meet my needs.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)