Option #1 — HippoVNC

Download and run HippoVNC to enable certain features including:

  • Auto App Launching & Switching
  • System Volume Control
  • Eject Key Support
  • Link Launching
  • Unicode Support
  • Game Controller Support

This is the recommended option.

Watch the HippoVNC Setup Video

Download HippoVNC Server
Size:
Version:
Supports:
Date:
 1.7 MB
0.3.3
10.5, 10.6
18-May-10

It's free and open source.

Initial Setup
  1. Download and unzip HippoVNC Server.
  2. Move HippoVNC.app to the Applications folder.
  3. Double-click on HippoVNC.app.
  4. Enter a password and click Done.
  5. That's it! You're ready to fire up HippoRemote.

Note: As with screen sharing, if you've enabled the OS X firewall, HippoRemote will not be able to connect to your Mac. You must either disable the firewall or open access to port 5900.


Optional Step: Run As System Service

We recommend running HippoVNC as a system service. That way, it starts automatically, runs in the background, and is always available, even when you're logged out or switching users.

Here's how to set it up:

  1. Launch HippoVNC.app and click on Stop Server.
  2. Open HippoVNC's preferences and click on the System Server tab.
  3. Check the button next to VNC Password and type in a password.
  4. Click on Start System Server. If all goes well, the status text will indicate that the system server is running.
  5. Quit HippoVNC.app. Launch HippoRemote and remote away!


Option #2 — Screen Sharing

HippoRemote works with the built-in features of the Mac. No additional software required.

If you know your way around the Mac environment, all you have to do is:

  1. Enable Screen Sharing.
  2. Assign a password.
  3. That's it! There is no step 3.

If you've never heard of screen sharing, here are step-by-step instructions on how to configure your Mac.

Watch the Screen Sharing Setup Video Initial Setup
  1. Open the System Preferences.
  2. Click on the Sharing preference pane.
  3. Check the box next to "Screen Sharing".
    (In OS X 10.4, it's called "Apple Remote Desktop".)
  4. Click on the "Computer Settings..." button.
    (Note: In OS X 10.4, it's called "Access Privileges...".)
  5. Check the box next to "VNC viewers may control screen with password" and enter a password.
  6. Click OK.
  7. You're done! When you next start HippoRemote, it will automatically detect your computer.

Note: If you've enabled the OS X firewall, HippoRemote will not be able to connect to your Mac. You must either disable the firewall or open access to port 5900.