Learn ReachPC in ten minutes
Step-by-step guides with annotated screenshots. The numbered orange arrows in each picture match the numbered list beside it. Tap any screenshot to enlarge it.
1Before you start
You need two things: the Windows app on the PC you want to reach, and a way to connect to it — another PC with the app, or the web viewer in a phone/computer browser.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| PC to control | Windows 10/11 (64-bit), internet connection, powered on, user signed in |
| Server address | The web address of the ReachPC server (already filled in if you use the official build) |
| Invite code | Needed only to register an account. Ask whoever runs the server. |
| No account? | You can still connect as a guest with a partner's ID + temporary password. |
2Install the app on Windows
- Download the installer from the Download section.
- Double-click
ReachPC Setup. - If Windows shows "Windows protected your PC", click More info, then Run anyway. This happens because the installer is not code-signed yet.
- Choose an install folder (or keep the default) and click Install, then Finish.
3Your ID and temporary password
When the app opens it connects to the server. The green dot at the top right says Online. Your ID stays the same; the temporary password is new every time the app starts (press New for another).
- 1Your ID — 9 digits. Give it to someone who needs to connect to you.
- 2Temporary password — give this together with the ID. Never share it with someone who contacted you unexpectedly.
- 3Partner ID — type the ID of the PC you want to control.
- 4Connect — after you also enter the partner's password.
4Create an account (optional, recommended)
An account lets you see all your PCs in My devices and use Unattended access. Scroll to the Account login card.
- 1Email and password (at least 8 characters).
- 2Invite code — required to register. Ask the server owner. (The very first account on a brand-new server needs none.)
- 3Tick the box to confirm you will only use ReachPC on PCs you own or have permission to access.
- 4Register the first time; use Login afterwards.
Forgot your password? Ask the server owner to reset it from the admin page, then change it on the web viewer (Password button).
5Connect with an ID and approve the request
Enter the partner's ID and temporary password, then press Connect. On the PC being controlled, a prompt appears and the owner decides:
- 1Allow full control — screen, mouse, keyboard, clipboard and file transfer.
- 2View only — the other person can only watch.
- 3Reject — refuse the connection.
Only click Allow if you asked for this connection. A red banner stays visible in the app while someone is connected, with a Disconnect button.
6Unattended access (no approval needed)
Use this on a PC you want to reach later — for example your home PC from the office. Connections from your own account are accepted without a prompt.
- 1Unattended access — tick on the PC you want to reach (you must be logged in).
- 2Start with system — launches ReachPC (in the tray) whenever Windows starts.
- 3My devices — on your other device, log in with the same account and press Connect next to the PC.
- Anyone with your account email + password can reach this PC while the option is on. Use a strong, unique password.
- When you close the window with unattended access on, the app keeps running in the tray. Use Quit from the tray icon to stop it.
- The PC must be on, online, and signed in to Windows. The lock screen and UAC prompts cannot be controlled yet.
- Each unattended session shows a notification and a red banner on the PC.
7Use it on your phone
Open the web viewer address in your phone's browser. Nothing to install. Tip: Android Chrome — menu ⋮ → Add to Home screen. iPhone Safari — Share → Add to Home Screen.
Steps
- Log in (or choose guest and enter an ID + password).
- Tap Connect next to an online device. With unattended access it connects instantly.
- Tap ☰ (top right) for the control menu.
Menu buttons
- 1☰ Menu button.
- 2Keyboard — opens the on-screen keyboard to type on the PC.
- 3Keys bar — Esc, Tab, Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win, arrows, Del, Enter. Ctrl/Alt/Shift/Win stay pressed until tapped again, so you can do Ctrl + C.
- 4Drag mode — when ON, finger drag holds the left button (move windows, select text).
- 5Disconnect — end the session.
Touch gestures
| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Drag with one finger | Move the mouse pointer (like a laptop trackpad) |
| Tap | Left click |
| Long press | Right click |
| Drag with two fingers | Scroll |
| Menu → Right click, then tap | One right click |
| Menu → Paste text | Type a text you enter on the PC |
| Menu → Sound | Turn audio on/off (Windows hosts only) |
8During a session on the PC app
When you connect from the Windows app you get a toolbar above the remote screen.
- 1Monitor selector — appears when the remote PC has more than one display.
- 2Chat — message the person sitting at the remote PC.
- 3Clipboard Send / Get — copy text to the remote PC, or bring the remote clipboard to yours.
- 4Files — download files from the remote
Documents\ReachPC-Sharefolder. Upload sends a file to the remoteDownloads\ReachPCfolder. - 5Disconnect — end the session. (Sound and Fullscreen buttons sit next to it.)
File, clipboard and control features need Full control. In View only mode they are disabled.
9For server owners: invite codes & admin page
Set an ADMIN_KEY environment variable on the server, then open /admin.html on your server address and enter the key.
- 1Create an invite code — choose how many people can use it and add a note (e.g. a friend's name). Send the code to them.
- 2Invite list — see remaining uses, delete a code you no longer want.
- 3Reset password — gives the user a temporary password. Disable or delete accounts from the same row.
Keep your admin key private and back up the server's data/users.json file regularly.
10Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Red dot / "Offline" | Check your internet. Open Server settings in the app, confirm the address, press Save & Connect. |
| "Wrong password" | The temporary password changes every time the app starts. Ask for the current one. After several wrong tries a device is blocked for 5 minutes. |
| "Device is busy" | Someone is already connected to that PC. Wait or ask them to disconnect. |
| Device shows offline in My devices | The PC is off, asleep, offline, or ReachPC is not running. Enable Start with system there. |
| Connected but black screen | Wait a few seconds. If it stays black, disconnect and reconnect. Some security software blocks screen capture. |
| Cannot click on admin windows | Run ReachPC as administrator on the PC being controlled. |
| Works on Wi-Fi but not on mobile data | Strict networks need a TURN relay on the server — ask the server owner. |
| Cannot control the lock screen | Not supported yet. Keep the PC unlocked while you need access. |
| Antivirus deletes the installer | The installer is unsigned. Download only from the official site and add an exclusion if you trust it. |
| Forgot my account password | Ask the server owner to reset it from the admin page. |
Still stuck? Contact us or open an issue on GitHub and tell us what you see.