How to Use TeamViewer

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: November 30, 2024 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to download and install TeamViewer on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android platforms. Once you've installed TeamViewer, you can use it to connect to another TeamViewer-enabled computer and control it remotely. You can also use TeamViewer to transfer files between computers.

Things You Should Know

You can install TeamViewer on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS.
When two people both have installed TeamViewer, one person can use their version of TeamViewer to view and control the other person's computer, phone, or tablet.
You can also use TeamViewer to transfer files between two systems.

Part 1

Part 1 of 6:

Installing TeamViewer on Desktop

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Go to https://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/ in your browser.
If your operating system isn't correctly selected when the website loads, click your system (e.g., Mac) near the top of the page.

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It's a green button near the middle of the page.
This should only take a few minutes.
You'll find this file, which is an EXE for Windows and a DMG for Macs, in your computer's Download folder. The setup window will open.
6
Install TeamViewer. To do so:
- Windows - Check the "Installation to access this computer remotely" box, check the "Personal / Non-commercial use" box, uncheck the "Show advanced settings" box if necessary, click Accept - finish, and click Yes when prompted.
- Mac - Double-click the box-shaped icon in the middle of the TeamViewer window, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Once it does, you can proceed with using it to control another TeamViewer-enabled computer.

Part 2

Part 2 of 6:

Installing TeamViewer on iPhone

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Tap the App Store app icon, which resembles a white "A" on a blue background.
It's a magnifying glass-shaped icon at the bottom of the screen.
You'll see this at the top of the screen. Tapping it prompts your iPhone's keyboard to appear.
Type in teamviewer and then tap the blue Search button in the bottom-right corner of the keyboard.
Its app icon resembles a horizontal, blue, double-sided arrow on a white background.
This option is to the right of the TeamViewer app icon.
Scan your Touch ID finger, or tap Install and enter your Apple ID password.
Once the TeamViewer app has been downloaded, you can proceed with using it.

Part 3

Part 3 of 6:

Installing TeamViewer on Android

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Tap the Google Play Store app icon, which resembles a multicolored triangle on a white background.
It's near the top of the screen. Your Android's keyboard will appear.
Doing so will prompt several search results to appear below the search bar.
It's in the list of search results. This will take you to the TeamViewer app page.
This green button is near the top-right side of the page.
Doing so will prompt TeamViewer to begin installing onto your Android.
Once the TeamViewer app has been downloaded, you can proceed with using it.

Part 4

Part 4 of 6:

Connecting on Desktop

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Its app icon resembles a double-sided arrow on a white background.
If this is your first time opening TeamViewer, you'll be prompted to navigate through an "Unattended setup" wizard; if so, just click Cancel.
Click the Try it now button at the top of the TeamViewer window if it's available. This will ensure that your TeamViewer dashboard is up-to-date.
Once TeamViewer is open on both computers, you should be able to connect.
On the left side of the computer's TeamViewer window, you should see an "ID" number and a "Password" number or jumble of characters.
Type the "ID" number into the "Partner ID" text field on the right side of the TeamViewer window on the computer from which you want to connect.
This box is below the "Partner ID" text field.
It's a blue button below the text field. Doing so will prompt your computer to begin attempting to connect to the other computer.
Type the second computer's "Password" value into the text box that appears.
It's at the bottom of the text box. You should now see the second computer's screen on your computer.
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Control the connected computer. Once you're connected to the computer, you can control it as though you were sitting in front of it.
- Closing the session or TeamViewer program at any time will cancel the connection.

Part 5

Part 5 of 6:

Connecting on Mobile

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1
Open the TeamViewer app. Tap the TeamViewer app icon, which resembles a double-sided blue arrow on a white background.
- If this is your first time opening TeamViewer on mobile, you may have to navigate through a set of introduction pages.
Open Team Viewer on a computer. Once TeamViewer is open on both your mobile platform and the computer, you should be able to connect the two.
On the left side of the TeamViewer window on the computer, you should see an "ID" number and a "Password" number or jumble of characters.
In the TeamViewer app, tap the "TeamViewer ID" text field, then type in the "ID" number.
It's below the text field. Doing so will prompt your mobile to attempt to connect to the computer.
Type the "Password" number or jumble into the text field in the pop-up window.
It's at the bottom of the password window.
8
Tap Continue. This is at the bottom of the "Controls" page.
- You may first want to review this page to see how to control the computer's mouse with your phone or tablet.
9
Control the connected computer. Once you're connected to the computer, you can control it as though you were sitting in front of it.
- Closing the session or app at any time will cancel the connection.

Part 6

Part 6 of 6:

Transferring Files

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1
Make sure that your computer is connected to another computer via TeamViewer. You must be connected to the other computer in order to send files to it.
- If you aren't connected, instead check the "File transfer" box, enter the other computer's ID and click CONNECT, and then enter the other computer's password and click Log On.
- You cannot transfer files from your mobile TeamViewer onto a computer (or vice versa).
2
Click the Files & Extras tab. It's at the top of the remote control window. A toolbar will appear.
- Skip this step and the next one if you used the "File transfer" checkbox.
You'll find this in the toolbar. A window will open.
4
Select a file to transfer. In the left or right side of the window, go to a file that you want to move from one computer to another, then click the file to select it.
- The left side of the window represents your current computer, while the right side represents the remote-controlled computer.
On the other side of the window, click the folder into which you want to transfer the file.
6
Click the "Send"
icon. It's in the middle of the window. The file will be copied onto the other computer.
- If you're moving a file from the remote-controlled computer onto your computer, the "Send" icon will be facing left.
Once you're done transferring files back and forth, you can click Close to close the file transfer window.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I send a message while using TeamViewer?

Community Answer

Just open the Editor on the Remotecomputer and start typing. This is an easy way of chatting between the Host and the Client.

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Question

Can the person I am sharing TeamViewer with have access to my email and other files?

Community Answer

Yes. Any person you grant access to your computer through TeamViewer will have full control over your computer. It will be as though they are sitting at your keyboard

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Question

Can anyone control a remote computer all time by using one ID?

Community Answer

Yes. There's an option to allow a partner to automatically connect whenever they wish. For example, you could do this routinely for elderly relatives who don't want to have to be at the computer when you come in to install updates and fix whatever they break.

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If you're in an environment with Internet restrictions (e.g., a school), you can use TeamViewer to connect to your computer at home and access restriction-free Internet from there.

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Warnings

Close TeamViewer when you aren't using it.

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TeamViewer is secure, but you shouldn't give out your TeamViewer ID or password if you don't trust the person on the other end of the process.

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