How to Use AnyDesk: A Quick Start Guide in 2026

by Fahim Joharder | Last updated Aug 16, 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every AnyDesk feature:

Getting Started — Install AnyDesk, create your account, and read your 9-digit ID
How to Use Mobile Device Support — Control a Windows PC from your phone or tablet using the free AnyDesk app
How to Use Access & Control — Take full access and control of a remote desktop using a 9-digit ID
How to Use Administration & Customization — Set up user and role management, Single Sign-On, and custom clients for your whole team
How to Use Security & Privacy — Lock every session behind TLS 1.2, AES-256 encryption, two-factor authentication, and granular permissions
How to Use Collaboration — Draw on a shared whiteboard, chat by text, and record the session for documentation
How to Use Customizable Remote Access — Build a branded client with your own alias, permissions, and default settings baked in
How to Use Remote Work Software — Run your office desktop from home with low-latency remote desktop performance
How to Use Remote Access For Corporations — Deploy AnyDesk across hundreds of remote devices using Group Policy or MSI
How to Use Remote Access for Students — Connect to campus lab machines and licensed software from any laptop

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I have used AnyDesk for two years across Windows, macOS, and Android. Every step here was tested on real remote devices, not copied from the vendor site. Screenshots and settings paths are updated for 2026.

AnyDesk is one of the fastest remote desktop tools you can install today.

Most people use it to click into one machine and stop there.

This guide shows you how to use every major feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips you can apply in minutes.

AnyDesk Tutorial

This How to Use AnyDesk tutorial walks you through each feature in order, from your first connect to unattended access and team deployment.

Every section below breaks into three short steps you can follow while the app is open.

AnyDesk

Connect to any device in seconds. AnyDesk pairs the DeskRT codec with AES-256 encryption for smooth, private remote support. Install it free and test unattended access on your own machine first.

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Getting Started with AnyDesk

Before any feature works, finish this one-time setup.

It takes about three minutes.

Watch how the app behaves on a real machine first:

How to use AnyDesk to Access Remote Computer

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Install AnyDesk

Go to the AnyDesk Downloads page and pick the build for your operating system.

Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android all have their own version.

Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the install.

You can also run it as a portable app without installing anything.

✓ Checkpoint: The client opens and shows a 9-digit ID.

Step 2: Create Your Account

Open my.anydesk and sign up with your work email.

Confirm the email, then create a password for the customer portal.

Here’s what the desk looks like once it’s running:

✓ Checkpoint: You can view your ID and alias in the center of the main window.

Step 3: Register Your License

After buying a license, sign in to the AnyDesk client to activate it.

Or paste your key into the Change License Key box in my.anydesk and click Register license key.

Your plan then shows under Current License.

✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.

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How to Use AnyDesk Mobile Device Support

Mobile Device Support lets you control a Windows PC from your phone or tablet using the free AnyDesk app.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Get the AnyDesk app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Open it and note the 9-digit ID shown on the phone.

Step 2: Enter the Remote Address

Type the PC’s AnyDesk ID into the Remote Address field and tap connect.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The remote desktop appears on your phone screen.

Step 3: Pick Your Input Mode

Switch between touch mode and mouse mode from the toolbar.

Touch mode maps taps directly; mouse mode gives you a floating cursor for precise clicks.

✅ Result: You can run a Windows machine from a phone or tablet anywhere.

💡 Pro Tip: Turn on the on-screen keyboard toggle before you open a terminal. Typing shortcuts like Ctrl+Alt+Del only work from that panel.

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How to Use AnyDesk Access & Controller

Access & Control lets you take full access and control of a remote desktop using a 9-digit ID.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Get the Remote ID

Ask the other user for their 9-digit AnyDesk ID or alias.

Step 2: Send the Request

Enter that ID in the Remote Address field and click connect.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A session window opens with the remote screen inside it.

Step 3: Accept on the Remote Side

A request pop-up appears on the remote device and must be accepted before the session starts.

Either side can end the session at any time from the toolbar.

✅ Result: You have live access and control of another desktop, with no router changes.

💡 Pro Tip: Tick only the permissions you actually need in the request pop-up. Handing over clipboard and file rights to a stranger is how most support scams start.

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How to Use AnyDesk Administration & Customizer

Administration & Customization lets you set up user and role management, Single Sign-On, and custom clients for your whole team.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open my.anydesk

Step 2: Set Up Users and Roles

IT administrators can build the team structure here and assign roles per user.

Add Single Sign-On so staff log in through your existing identity provider.

Here’s what this looks like:

AnyDesk Administration & Customization Image

✓ Checkpoint: Your team appears in the user list with roles attached.

Step 3: Roll Out to Devices

Push the client to every machine with Group Policy or a standard MSI deployment.

✅ Result: Central control over who can connect, and to which remote devices.

💡 Pro Tip: Create a read-only role for junior staff. They can view a screen for triage without touching the mouse.

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How to Use AnyDesk Security & Privacy

Security & Privacy lets you lock every session behind TLS 1.2, AES-256 encryption, two-factor authentication, and granular permissions.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

Open Settings > Security and enable 2FA with your authenticator app.

Step 2: Tighten Permissions

Uncheck clipboard, file transfer, and audio for accounts that don’t need them.

Every session already runs on banking-standard TLS 1.2 and AES-256 encryption.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Unlisted IDs are rejected before the request pop-up appears.

Step 3: Build an Allowlist

Add trusted IDs to the access control list so unknown callers never reach the prompt.

✅ Result: Only approved people can reach your device, and only with the rights you granted.

💡 Pro Tip: Pair the allowlist with a session log export. If something looks odd later, you have timestamps and IDs to check.

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How to Use AnyDesk Collaborator

Collaboration lets you draw on a shared whiteboard, chat by text, and record the session for documentation.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Whiteboard

Click the pen icon in the session toolbar to draw on the remote screen.

Step 2: Use Text Chat

Send messages in the chat panel instead of switching to another app mid-session.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: A red dot in the toolbar confirms recording is running.

Step 3: Record the Session

Hit record to save a video file for training notes or an audit trail.

✅ Result: Walkthroughs that people can rewatch, instead of instructions they forget.

💡 Pro Tip: Set recordings to start automatically in Settings. Support teams get a clean record without anyone remembering to press the button.

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How to Use AnyDesk Customizable Remote Access

Customizable Remote Access lets you build a branded client with your own alias, permissions, and default settings baked in.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Custom Client Builder

Go to Files in my.anydesk and start a new custom client.

Step 2: Preset Your Defaults

Lock in aliases, permissions, and default settings before anyone installs it.

Add your logo and colours so clients recognise the window.

Here’s what this looks like:

AnyDesk Customizable Remote Access Image

✓ Checkpoint: The download link produces a client that already knows your settings.

Host the generated file on your own site or portal for download.

✅ Result: No manual configuration on any new machine you set up.

💡 Pro Tip: Build one incoming-only client for customers and one outgoing-only client for your techs. It removes a whole class of mistakes.

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How to Use AnyDesk Remote Work Software

Remote Work Software lets you run your office desktop from home with low-latency remote desktop performance.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Prepare the Office Machine

Leave the work PC powered on with sleep disabled in Windows power settings.

Step 2: Set Unattended Access

Open Settings > Access on the remote device and click Set password in the Unattended Access section.

This lets you manage the machine when nobody is sitting at the remote end.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The desktop loads without anyone accepting a prompt.

Step 3: Connect From Home

Enter the office ID from your laptop and use the password you just created.

✅ Result: A full work environment from home, with files staying on the office machine.

💡 Pro Tip: Turn on the bandwidth-saving display mode over hotel Wi-Fi. The DeskRT codec holds frame rates steady when the line gets thin.

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How to Use AnyDesk Remote Access

Remote Access For Corporations lets you deploy AnyDesk across hundreds of remote devices using Group Policy or MSI.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Plan the Rollout

List every department and decide which needs incoming access versus outgoing only.

Step 2: Deploy in Bulk

Use Group Policy or MSI to install the same custom client across all machines at once.

Here’s what this looks like:

AnyDesk Remote Access For Corporations Image

✓ Checkpoint: New devices show up in the address book automatically after install.

Step 3: Monitor the Fleet

Track connections and licence seats from the customer portal each month.

✅ Result: Hundreds of endpoints reachable for remote support without touching them individually.

💡 Pro Tip: Name devices by department before rollout. Searching an address book of 300 numeric IDs is painful.

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How to Use AnyDesk Remote Access for Students

Remote Access for Students lets you connect to campus lab machines and licensed software from any laptop.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Ask for Campus Details

Get the lab machine’s ID and unattended password from your IT department.

Step 2: Save It to the Address Book

Add the machine so you can connect in one click next session.

Here’s what this looks like:

AnyDesk Remote Access for Students Image

✓ Checkpoint: Heavy software runs on campus hardware while your laptop stays cool.

Step 3: Work as Normal

Open the licensed software on the lab PC and transfer files back with the file manager.

✅ Result: Access to lab-only tools from a dorm room or a cafe.

💡 Pro Tip: Check the lab PC’s power settings first. A machine that sleeps at midnight is a machine you cannot reach at 2am.

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AnyDesk Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After two years of daily sessions, these are the tips I actually reuse.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Open a new connection tab	Ctrl + N
Toggle fullscreen	Ctrl + Shift + Enter
Send Ctrl+Alt+Del to remote	Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Del
Take a session screenshot	Ctrl + Alt + S

Hidden Features Most People Miss

Clipboard sync: Copy on one machine and paste on the other, text and files both.
Wake-on-LAN: Start a sleeping PC from another AnyDesk client on the same network.
Session invitation links: Email a one-time link so a non-technical user never has to read out an ID.

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AnyDesk Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Accepting Connections From Strangers

❌ Wrong: Someone calls claiming to be support and asks you to install AnyDesk and read out your ID.

✅ Right: Only accept a request pop-up from a person you contacted first. Real companies never cold-call about your PC.

Mistake #2: Reusing a Weak Unattended Password

❌ Wrong: Setting the same short password for unattended access on every machine you manage.

✅ Right: Use a unique passphrase per device and store it in a password manager. Add 2FA on top.

Mistake #3: Skipping Mac Permissions

❌ Wrong: Installing on macOS and wondering why the remote screen stays black.

✅ Right: Grant Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions in System Settings before your first session.

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AnyDesk Troubleshooting

Problem: The connection sits on Waiting for image

Cause: The remote user never accepted the request, or the screen is locked at a login prompt.

Fix: Call the user and ask them to click Accept. For locked machines, set up unattended access instead.

Problem: Black screen on macOS

Cause: The client lacks Screen Recording and Accessibility rights.

Fix: Open System Settings > Privacy & Security, tick AnyDesk under both lists, then restart the app.

Problem: File transfer is greyed out

Cause: The file transfer permission was disabled for that session or by an admin profile.

Fix: Ask the remote user to enable it in the permissions panel, or use clipboard copy for small files.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact AnyDesk support.

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What is AnyDesk?

AnyDesk is a remote desktop tool that lets you see and control another computer over the internet.

Think of it like sitting down at that machine, except the keyboard is yours and the screen is a window.

Watch this quick overview:

AnyDesk Review - Top Features, Pros & Cons, and Alternatives

It is lightweight, works across platforms, and keeps latency low through the DeskRT codec. Each device shows a unique 9-digit AnyDesk ID that users share to receive connections.

It includes these key features:

Mobile Device Support: Control a Windows PC from your phone or tablet using the free AnyDesk app.
Access & Control: Take full access and control of a remote desktop using a 9-digit ID.
Administration & Customization: Set up user and role management, Single Sign-On, and custom clients for your whole team.
Security & Privacy: Lock every session behind TLS 1.2, AES-256 encryption, two-factor authentication, and granular permissions.
Collaboration: Draw on a shared whiteboard, chat by text, and record the session for documentation.
Customizable Remote Access: Build a branded client with your own alias, permissions, and default settings baked in.
Remote Work Software: Run your office desktop from home with low-latency remote desktop performance.
Remote Access For Corporations: Deploy AnyDesk across hundreds of remote devices using Group Policy or MSI.
Remote Access for Students: Connect to campus lab machines and licensed software from any laptop.

For a full review, see our AnyDesk review.

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AnyDesk Pricing

Here’s what AnyDesk costs in 2026:

Plan	Price	Best For
Standard	$32.31/month	Freelancers and small teams doing remote support
Advanced	$70.11/month	Growing IT teams that need more seats and devices
Ultimate	Custom	Corporations with custom clients and mass deployment

Free trial: Yes — a 14-day trial of the paid tiers, plus a free licence for non-commercial personal use.

Money-back guarantee: No blanket refund window, so test on the trial before you commit.

💰 Best Value: Standard — it covers unattended access, file transfer, and the address book. That’s what most users actually need.

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AnyDesk vs Alternatives

How does AnyDesk compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Tool	Best For	Price	Rating
AnyDesk	Low-latency remote support	$32.31/mo	⭐ 4.3
Getscreen	Browser-based access	$10/mo	⭐ 4.5
TeamViewer	Enterprise feature depth	$50/mo	⭐ 4.4
Splashtop	High-frame-rate work	$5/mo	⭐ 4.6
RemotePC	Budget unattended access	$7/mo	⭐ 4.2
RealVNC Connect	Cross-platform IT teams	$4/mo	⭐ 4.4
GoTo Resolve	Helpdesk ticketing	$57/mo	⭐ 4.3
ISL Online	On-premise hosting	$15/mo	⭐ 4.5
BeyondTrust	Privileged access security	Custom	⭐ 4.5

Quick picks:

Best overall: AnyDesk — fastest session start and the smoothest cursor feel on weak connections.
Best budget: RealVNC Connect — solid unattended access for the price of a coffee.
Best for beginners: Getscreen — runs in a browser tab with nothing to install.
Best for remote work: Splashtop — high frame rates for video and design work.

🎯 AnyDesk Alternatives

Looking for AnyDesk alternatives? Here are the top options:

🚀 Getscreen: Runs entirely in a browser, so support agents connect without installing an app on either side.
⭐ TeamViewer: The deepest feature set in the category, with scripting, ticketing, and huge platform coverage.
🎨 Splashtop: Best picture quality of the group, built for designers and video editors working remotely.
💰 RemotePC: Cheap annual pricing with unattended access included on nearly every tier.
🔧 RealVNC Connect: Long-standing VNC engine that IT teams trust across Linux, Windows, and Raspberry Pi.
💼 GoTo Resolve: Combines remote sessions with a helpdesk, so tickets and screens live in one place.
🔒 ISL Online: Can be hosted on your own server, which regulated industries often require.
🏢 BeyondTrust: Privileged access management for enterprises that audit every keystroke.

For the full list, see our AnyDesk alternatives guide.

⚔️ AnyDesk Compared

Here’s how AnyDesk stacks up against each competitor:

AnyDesk vs Getscreen: Getscreen wins on zero-install convenience. AnyDesk wins on speed and offline reliability.
AnyDesk vs TeamViewer: TeamViewer has more features. AnyDesk is lighter, cheaper, and starts sessions faster.
AnyDesk vs Splashtop: Splashtop looks better on high-refresh screens. AnyDesk holds up better on poor connections.
AnyDesk vs RemotePC: RemotePC costs less per year. AnyDesk feels noticeably more responsive in daily use.
AnyDesk vs RealVNC Connect: RealVNC covers more odd platforms. AnyDesk has the better mobile app by a clear margin.
AnyDesk vs GoTo Resolve: GoTo Resolve bundles ticketing. AnyDesk is the better pick if you already have a helpdesk.
AnyDesk vs ISL Online: ISL Online offers self-hosting. AnyDesk is simpler to run and quicker to deploy.
AnyDesk vs BeyondTrust: BeyondTrust wins on audit depth. AnyDesk wins on price and everyday usability.

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Start Using AnyDesk Now

You learned how to use every major AnyDesk feature:

✅ Mobile Device Support
✅ Access & Control
✅ Administration & Customization
✅ Security & Privacy
✅ Collaboration
✅ Customizable Remote Access
✅ Remote Work Software
✅ Remote Access For Corporations
✅ Remote Access for Students

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with Access & Control.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is AnyDesk safe to use?

Yes, when you control who connects. Sessions run on TLS 1.2 and AES-256 encryption, with 2FA and permissions available. The risk comes from accepting requests from strangers, not the software itself.

What is AnyDesk used for?

Remote support, remote work, and managing unattended devices. People use it to fix a relative’s PC, run an office desktop from home, or reach servers without being on site.

Is AnyDesk free or paid?

Both. Personal, non-commercial use is free. Business use needs a paid licence starting at $32.31 per month for Standard, with Advanced and Ultimate above it.

Can anyone access my PC using AnyDesk?

No. A connection needs your 9-digit ID plus either your acceptance of the pop-up or your unattended access password. Without one of those, nobody gets in.

How do I stop AnyDesk?

Close the session from the toolbar on either device. To block future attempts, quit the client, disable its startup entry, or uninstall it from your system settings.