Tech Help
How to connect for your session.
Setting up takes about five minutes the first time. Do it a little before your booked time, and read me the code when we start.
Stay safe. Only share a code with me, and only during a session you booked yourself. If anyone else asks you to install remote access software, hang up.
You'll need
- Your computerSwitched on and connected to the internet.
- Your phone nearbySo you can read me a short code.
- A booked sessionNot booked yet? Book a fix.
Choose how to connect
Two ways to connect
Which computer do you have? A Windows computer has a Start button with the Windows logo at the bottom of the screen. A Mac has an Apple logo in the top-left corner.
Option 1
Chrome Remote Desktop
The same steps on Windows and Mac. Step 4 is for Macs only.
Open Google Chrome
If you don't have Chrome, download it free from google.com/chrome. On a Mac, Safari won't work for this.
Go to the support page
In Chrome, go to remotedesktop.google.com/support and sign in with your Google account.
Install Chrome Remote Desktop First time only
Under Get Support, click the download button. Then:
- click Add to Chrome, then Add extension
- click Accept & Install
- open the file that downloads and follow the installer
On Windows, you may see "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" Click Yes. If it asks for an administrator password you don't have, use Option 2 instead.
On a Mac, the installer may ask for your Mac password. That's normal.
Give permission Mac only
Click the Apple logo → System Settings → Privacy & Security, then switch on ChromeRemoteDesktopHost in both of these:
- Accessibility (if you also see RemoteAssistanceHost, switch that on too)
- Screen & System Audio Recording (called Screen Recording on older Macs)
Then quit Chrome completely with ⌘ Cmd + Q and open it again.
Generate a code
On remotedesktop.google.com/support, click Generate Code and read me the 12-digit code.
The code works once and expires after 5 minutes. If it runs out, just generate a new one.
Check it's me, then share
A box will appear showing my email address:
support@milkfirst.co.uk
If it matches, click Share. If you see any other address, click Cancel.
During the session
You'll see my mouse moving on your screen.
Every 30 minutes, Chrome asks whether you want to keep sharing. Please stay near your computer and click to continue — if nobody clicks, the session stops.
You can end the session at any moment with Stop Sharing.
When we're done
Click Stop Sharing. Nobody can connect again unless you generate a new code and give it to them, so it's fine to leave Chrome Remote Desktop installed. If you'd rather remove it, you can uninstall it like any other app.
Option 2
RustDesk
A small free app. You'll read me two codes from it: an ID and a one-time password.
On Windows
Open it
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the RustDesk file.
- If Windows shows a blue box saying "Windows protected your PC", click More info, then Run anyway.
- If Windows asks whether to let RustDesk through the firewall, click Allow.
There's no need to install anything — RustDesk works straight away. If you see an option to install it, you can skip it.
Read me your two codes
On the left of the RustDesk window you'll see your ID (a number of about nine digits) and your One-time Password (a short mix of letters and numbers). Read both to me over the phone.
During the session
A small window will show that I'm connected. When I install apps, Windows may ask: "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" I'll tell you before it appears — click Yes when I ask. RustDesk may show its own request first; please accept it too.
You can end the session at any moment with Disconnect.
When we're done
Close RustDesk. If you won't need it again, delete the file from your Downloads folder.
On a Mac
Check which Mac you have
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and choose About This Mac. Chip: Apple M1, M2, M3… means Apple silicon. Processor: Intel means an Intel Mac.
Download RustDesk
Install it
Open the downloaded file and drag the RustDesk icon into the Applications folder.
Open RustDesk
Open Applications and double-click RustDesk. If your Mac says the app can't be opened, click the Apple logo → System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down and click Open Anyway.
Give RustDesk permission
On the left of the RustDesk window you'll see boxes asking for permissions. Click each one and switch RustDesk on in the settings window that opens:
- Accessibility — lets me use the mouse and keyboard
- Screen & System Audio Recording (called Screen Recording on older Macs) — lets me see your screen
- Input Monitoring — only if your Mac asks for it
Your Mac may ask you to quit and reopen RustDesk — click Quit & Reopen. If RustDesk still shows a warning, don't worry — tell me and we'll sort it out together on the phone.
Read me your two codes
On the left of the RustDesk window you'll see your ID and One-time Password. Read both to me over the phone.
When we're done
Click on the RustDesk window and press ⌘ Cmd + Q. If there's a RustDesk icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, quit it from there too.
If you won't need RustDesk again, drag it from Applications to the Bin. You can also switch its permissions off in Privacy & Security.
Something not working?
Quick fixes
- Code expired?Chrome Remote Desktop codes last 5 minutes. Just generate a new one.
- The session stopped by itself?Chrome probably asked whether to keep sharing and nobody clicked. Generate a new code and read it to me.
- Black screen on a Mac?Check the permissions in step 4, quit Chrome and open it again. If that doesn't help, restart your Mac.
- Asked for an administrator password you don't have?Use Option 2: on Windows, RustDesk runs without installing.
- Can't find the file?Look in your Downloads folder.
- RustDesk password looks different?That's normal — just read me the new one.
- RustDesk stuck on "Connecting…"?Close RustDesk, open it again and read me the codes once more.
Still stuck?
Email help@milkfirst.co.uk — we'll sort it out.