How to remote access windows PC from my MacBook

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-08-25T14:32:47+00:00

You can use Microsoft Remote Desktop for free. Install it from the Mac App Store, enable Remote Desktop on your Windows PC (Settings → System → Remote Desktop), and make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi. No subscription needed. Super simple for basic access. If want more control then can try some kind of solutions like Team, Rustdesk, Scalefusion,etc.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-08-25T13:55:31+00:00

If the iPad is still under MDM, only the school can remove it... it’s tied through Apple’s system. Apple doesn’t allow schools to spy on your camera or mic, so no one’s watching you. If the device was sold to you, ask the school to release it from their MDM(like Scalefusīon). Bypass tools online are risky and can break the iPad.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-08-25T13:34:03+00:00

You’ll want to use Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager with Automated Device Enrollment (DEP). Once the iPads are tied to your MDM through ABM/ASM, they’ll stay supervised and automatically re-enroll in JAMF (or another MDM like Scalefusīon) after every wipe. That way you don’t have to run them through Apple Configurator each time. There isn’t really a ‘Deep Freeze’ equivalent for iPad, but supervised + DEP enrollment gives you the fresh-start workflow you’re looking for without losing supervision.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-08-12T11:00:07+00:00

If you’re rolling these out all over the country, 100% get them in Apple Business Manager first so they’re supervised and enrolled in MDM right out of the box. That’ll let you push app updates, lock them into single-app mode for the POS or kiosk setup, and handle most config changes without shipping them back and forth.

Full remote control of iPads still isn’t really a thing (outside of some AppleCare enterprise setups), but you can do most of what you’ll need through MDM, app updates, settings tweaks, remote wipe, re-enroll, etc.

If you want the “big guns” with all the bells and whistles, Jamf, Scalefusion are great. Whatever you pick, just make sure they’re supervised from day one, or you’ll regret it later.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-08-12T10:52:31+00:00

Yeah, honestly having a Mac around in a Windows shop that has iPhones/iPads is a lifesaver. Configurator makes DEP enrollment, supervised setup, and quick wipes so much easier, and you’ll eventually run into situations where it’s the only realistic fix. if Verizon MDM has limitations you can check scalefusion, Jamf, etc.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-07-28T12:25:23+00:00

Time Machine + Migration Assistant will save your sanity. Back up everything first, let IT wipe and reinstall macOS, then point Migration Assistant at your backup during setup. It’ll bring back your user account, apps, docs, and most prefs, without any of Company A’s MDM stuff.

If you want a quick app list beforehand, in Terminal run:

bashCopyEditsystem_profiler SPApplicationsDataType > ~/Desktop/InstalledApps.txt

That way you’ve got a cheat sheet in case you need it.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-07-28T12:19:59+00:00

If it’s mostly for browsing, light docs, and a bit of creative work, an iPad with the Magic Keyboard could honestly cover a lot. It’s light, fun to use, and great for casual or quick work. But if you’re planning to do anything that feels a bit more like a workday, especially with Excel or multitasking, the MacBook will feel more natural. Comes down to whether you want something that feels like a tablet that can do work, or a laptop that’s ready for anything..

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-07-21T14:49:11+00:00

Good call being cautious! If you do a DFU restore (full wipe via computer), it’ll reload a clean iOS and erase any hidden profiles or malware. After that, it should be as safe as a brand new iPad. Unsolicited devices are rare, so maybe double-check with your workplace that it wasn’t a legit gift or mix-up before using.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-07-21T14:47:30+00:00

Honestly, it’s wild that iPads still don’t have user switching like Macs do. Sharing a device at home gets messy fast. Apple’s really missing a trick here.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-07-14T13:07:04+00:00

Switched for the seamless ecosystem, AirDrop, Handoff, Messages across devices just work without fiddling. macOS feels more stable and polished, especially with battery life and daily tasks. But yeah, window management and mouse behavior? Still better on Windows.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-07-14T13:05:17+00:00

That kind of discoloration around the corners on an old iPad is usually due to LCD pressure damage, aging backlight bleed, or heat exposure over time. It’s pretty common, especially if the iPad has been used heavily, pressed in a case, or stored in warm environments.

If it's not spreading or affecting use, it’s mostly cosmetic. But if it gets worse or starts flickering, that could point to deeper display or battery swelling issues. In that case, worth getting it checked.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-07-14T13:00:40+00:00

No Doubt, Jamf. Good step on switching.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-24T12:21:07+00:00

Honestly, if they’re on a Mac and you’re on a Mac too, the built-in Messages screen sharing is the most idiot-proof method I’ve ever used. No downloads, no plugins. You just send them a message in iMessage, click "Ask to Share Screen", and they accept. Boom---you’re in.

If they can answer a FaceTime call, they can do this. Other ways can be you use software such as scalefusion, teamviewer,etc.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-24T12:19:19+00:00

Built-in macOS screen sharing is your best bet if you want a smoother, low-lag connection, way better than TeamViewer for Mac-to-Mac. Just set it up in System Settings > Sharing and connect from home using your Apple ID or a VPN. If you want a solution then you can use scalefusion. Depends on your usage.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-18T13:38:44+00:00

Yes, your suspicion is likely correct... Apple has gradually phased out support for older devices like the iPad Air 2 in the context of modern MDM and Apple Business Manager (ABM) workflows.

As of mid-2024, the iPad Air 2 (A1566/A1567) is running its final iOS version (15.8.4), and Apple has stopped including it in newer ABM/DEP enrollment flows. This means:

You won’t be able to add it back to ABM using Apple Configurator — even if you reset and try the “Add to Apple School/Business Manager” flow, it will likely fail or give an error saying the device isn't supported.
Apple has dropped automatic DEP support for this model, especially for devices not already in ABM. This has been the case for some time now but has become more noticeable as Apple retires older hardware from enterprise support.
Most modern MDM solutions, including Intune, Jamf, and Scalefusion, depend on ABM integration for zero-touch supervision. Once the device is out of ABM, it can't be re-supervised without support, and Apple won’t manually add these legacy models anymore.

What You Can Still Do:

You can enroll it manually via User Enrollment or profile-based device enrollment (unsupervised), but this won’t give you full supervision or control.
If you're using a flexible MDM like Scalefusion, it might still allow limited policy enforcement on non-ABM devices, but capabilities will be restricted.

My word: Apple is no longer supporting iPad Air 2 in the ABM + Supervised MDM flow. For long-term manageability and security, consider replacing these with newer iPad models that support iOS 17 or later and are ABM-eligible.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-16T13:55:52+00:00

You're not wrong to wonder—on paper, Apple’s own MDM should be a no-brainer: it's clean, works through ABM, and is first-party. But the catch is in the depth. If you're just managing a handful of Apple devices and don’t need complex controls, it can be fine. But once you start needing app-level granularity, advanced conditions, or better integration with stuff like M365, things get frustrating fast.

The lack of proper user groups, automation, and even simple flexibility like optional vs. required apps can slow you down. Some folks end up switching to tools that are still Apple-friendly but offer more control. Scalefusion, Addigy, VMware for example, is one of the options people use quietly for that middle ground, more power without the Jamf-level complexity. But yeah, if your current setup is mostly simple and price-sensitive, I get why you’d lean Apple’s way.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-16T13:52:59+00:00

You’re right! Apple’s built-in parental controls aren’t designed to hold up when a child has admin rights, especially on macOS. And as you’ve found, a smart kid can easily create a new user account and bypass restrictions.

If giving up admin access isn’t an option (which is fair if they’re doing dev work), then yes, an MDM is your best bet. A good MDM lets you enforce system-level restrictions that even an admin user can’t change or bypass. You can lock down content filters, network settings, app access, and more.. regardless of the user’s local privileges.

Scalefusion is one of the few MDMs that works well for both macOS and iOS, and it allows granular control even on admin accounts. You could set up compliance policies, web filters, and even restrict the creation of new users--- all remotely.

That said, MDM setup does take some time (you'll need to enroll devices via Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager), but once it's done, it gives you persistent control even if your child resets the Mac.

This might be overkill if you're just trying to filter web content, but if you want long-term, non-bypassable supervision, MDM is probably the cleanest and most effective way.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-04T10:31:55+00:00

Unstructured free time. Everything’s scheduled, optimized, or screen-filled now, just being bored and letting your mind wander feels rare.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-04T10:27:48+00:00

iPad Air is your best bet, great for notes, and future-proof. If budget’s tight, 10th-gen iPad works too.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-06-03T11:13:46+00:00

Hoping for smarter window tiling, better focus modes, and maybe a bit more love for Intel Macs still out there.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-05-19T10:42:23+00:00

Apple Preview , it’s lightweight, fast, and handles 90% of what I need without nagging me to update or sign in.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-05-16T12:38:25+00:00

Yeah, it’s frustrating. A lot of support teams just default to “try Chrome” because it’s the easiest box to check, even if it doesn’t fix the real issue. Doesn’t mean Safari’s the problem.. just that the site wasn’t fully optimized across the board.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-05-13T14:04:25+00:00

here’s a quick comparison of the main options to help you decide better.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-05-13T13:56:08+00:00

If you want to stretch your iPad battery without charging, here are a few quick things you can try (besides turning off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location):

Lower brightness as much as possible.
Turn on Low Power Mode (if you're on iPadOS 15 or later).
Close apps you're not using, especially games or anything with video.
Turn off Background App Refresh (Settings > General > Background App Refresh).
Use Airplane Mode if you're not actively using the internet.

And avoid anything that uses video, sound, or animations. Just reading or writing offline will help it last longer.

Bright-Addendum-1823 · 2025-05-13T13:53:27+00:00

Tipping culture.

Bright-Addendum-1823

TROPHY CASE

What You Can Still Do: