Parallels is one of the most popular apps in OS X that lets you run a virtual copy of Windows on your Mac machine. The company recently released a major update to its mobile app called Parallels Access, which comes with support for Android devices and iPhone.
Parallels Access lets you run Mac apps or Windows apps on your iPad (and now your iPhone and Android device). This makes it extremely convenient to use when you need to access a special application that is only available on Mac or Windows machines. This can be a problem if you only have an iPad or iPhone with you. However, you can start Parallels Access to fix the problem and get the job done.
However, one big difference between Parallels for Mac and Parallels Access for iPad is that the Mac version runs a virtual copy of Windows directly on your Mac machine, while Parallels Access needs a computer to serve Mac or Windows apps. your tablet. This isn’t a big deal since you probably have a computer, but you’ll want to make sure the computer is up and running when you use Parallels Access.
In any case, the ability to run Mac apps on your iPad is pretty interesting, and Parallels Access can do it. The best part is, we’ll show you how to install and get started so you can run Mac apps on iPad.
Setting Up Parallel Access
The first thing you’ll want to do is download the Parallels Access app from the iTunes App Store. It’s a free download so just search for “Parallel Access” and it will be the only one that pops up. From there, tap on it and then start downloading and installing the app on your iPad.
You will be prompted to create a Parallels account or sign in with an existing account. After that, Parallels will send you an email with a link to download the desktop client required for Parallels Access to work. Since we’re focused on the Mac, you’ll want to download the Mac client from the Parallels website.
After the download is complete, open the .DMG file and install Parallels on your computer. Once installed, you will be prompted to log in using the same credentials you used to register your Parallels account. After that, your Mac and iPad will be automatically paired in Parallels Access and you can start using the app.
Using Parallel Access
Parallels Access is really just a glorified and empowered version of TeamViewer. If you’ve used TeamViewer before, you know it’s a great app to access your computer from your iPad, but its functionality is quite limited compared to Parallels Access; There’s a lot more you can do with Parallels Access, and the touchscreen controls are a little more extensive, but we still love TeamViewer for its completely free-to-use.
Parallels Access essentially mirrors your Mac computer screen to your iPad, so you can control both devices and the results appear on both screens. But Parallels Access optimizes Mac apps for your iPad’s display and makes them look almost like native iPads by fitting them better on the smaller screen.
Also, the first time you launch Parallels Access on your iPad, you’ll be greeted with a grid of compatible Mac apps that look a lot like the OS X Launchpad. From there, you can tap an app to launch it and start getting your work done. You can always return to the Launchpad to switch to another app, and you can quickly and easily switch to another app without even returning to the home screen.
For example, you can launch Photoshop directly on your iPad and edit a photo. Of course there are already Photoshop tools for the iPad, but Parallels Access gives you the full desktop version right on your tablet. For the most part, you’ll have an iPad app equivalent to most of your Mac apps, but for a few Mac apps that don’t have iPad versions, Parallels Access might be the lifesaver you need when you’re in a computing environment. connect.
Other features of Parallels Access include Desktop Mode (which essentially turns your iPad’s screen into a desktop and lets you move windows around) and a file browser that lets you navigate various folders on your Mac.
Parallels Access 2.0 is available now, and with a short free trial when you start using Parallels Access, you can access up to five computers from an unlimited number of iOS and Android devices for just $19.99 per year. Also, if you buy the program before June 30, you can lock it in for two years for $29.99, which is just $15 a year.
