Chrome Remote Desktop isn't a traditional installer you download and run standalone — it works as a browser-based extension plus a small host component, which trips people up if they were expecting a normal .exe. This page walks through both pieces so you end up with a working remote connection rather than just a browser tab. It's genuinely free with no account tier to upgrade, since Google offers it as a companion to Chrome rather than a product on its own.
Why It's Not a Single Standalone Installer
Chrome Remote Desktop actually consists of two parts: the host software that runs on the computer you want to access, and the web app at remotedesktop.google.com that you use to connect. Both are required, and both are free.
Because it routes through your Google account, there's no separate license or activation step — access is controlled entirely by which Google accounts you authorize on the host machine.
Who ends up using Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop suits people who need occasional, no-fuss remote access rather than a full-featured IT helpdesk platform.
- Family tech support, helping a relative on another PC without installing heavyweight software
- Remote workers accessing their office desktop from home through a simple PIN
- Freelancers giving a client one-time, attended access to demo something on their screen
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Chrome Remote Desktop before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, Chrome Remote Desktop is free to use outright — there's no paid tier hiding behind it, so what you install is the whole app. It's developed and maintained by Google.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Install the host component on the computer you want to access remotely
- Open remotedesktop.google.com/access on the connecting device and sign in
- Set a PIN on first run, then connect using that PIN going forward
Chrome Remote Desktop: the honest trade-offs
- Completely free with no license tier or per-seat pricing
- Setup takes minutes and works entirely through the browser plus a small host app
- Access control tied to Google accounts, so no extra passwords to manage
- Lacks file transfer, session recording, and multi-monitor tools found in dedicated remote-access software
- Performance depends heavily on both ends' internet connection, with no offline fallback
We link to Google's own remote desktop host installer and the official web app — nothing repackaged.
Other Remote Desktop downloads people search for
Browse the full Remote Desktop category →
Keeping Chrome Remote Desktop up to date
Chrome Remote Desktop usually has a built-in updater or store-based auto-update (Microsoft Store / Mac App Store / Play Store, depending on platform); if you installed it manually, re-downloading the current build from the official source is the fallback. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Chrome Remote Desktop page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Google Workspace account to use it?
No, a standard free Google account is enough for personal remote access.
Can I access an unattended computer, or does someone need to accept the connection?
Unattended access works once you set it up and authorize your account; attended sessions require a one-time access code from the other person.
