Connect from the browser without installing anything

What it is for

You are at someone else's computer or may not install anything there? Open browserdesk.de/app in the browser and connect from there. The page has two cards: Connect (no sign-in, with the details from the device) and My devices (with your account, shows the devices you may reach). Every session opens in a new tab.

What you need

• A current browser. Chrome or Edge are recommended; Firefox and Safari work too.
• For Connect: the device's ID and password — or a quick code created by the person at the device (D1).
• For My devices: a user account in your access. The administrator of your access creates it.
• An own relay offers the same page at its address under /app.

How to do it

Way 1: card "Connect" — no sign-in

1. Open browserdesk.de/app.
2. In the card Connect choose the tab: - ID + password: enter "Device ID" and "Device password". The device shows both in its BrowserDesk window (D2). - Quick code: enter the six digits the device is showing right now. If there is no BrowserDesk there yet, a link to Quick Support appears below the field (D1).
3. If the device's access requires a support reason or a ticket, extra fields appear for them.
4. Click Connect. A new tab opens; the start page says "The session is running in a new tab."

Way 2: "Recently used"

Below the card Connect, Recently used lists the devices you connected to in this browser. A click fills in the ID and puts the cursor into the password field — you type the password each time. The "×" next to it removes the entry.

Way 3: card "My devices" — with your account

1. In the card My devices enter "Access", "User" and "Password", then Sign in.
2. If your account has a second factor, the field "Code from the authenticator app" appears. If your access requires a second factor you do not have yet, the page walks you through Set up second factor (scan the code, enter the code, Activate).
3. Your devices are listed on the left; use Search to filter. Click a device: the right side shows ID, system, "Last seen" and, if available, a preview image.
4. Click Connect, enter the "Device password" in the dialog (and the support reason if required), then Connect. The session runs in the new tab.
5. If the device is offline and can be woken, there is Wake up.

In the session tab

• Before the picture a small window shows the state. If the device is offline it offers "Wake up (Wake-on-LAN) and connect". Under "Check connection", Run test checks whether your browser reaches the relay. "Close tab" takes you back.
• During the session the gear icon in the toolbar opens "Vorgaben für neue Sitzungen" (defaults for new sessions): picture quality and video codec every new session starts with. Below, under "Hilfe" (help), the link "Verbindungsprobleme lösen" (solve connection problems).
• End: the red cross in the toolbar ("Sitzung trennen", disconnect session).

How you know it worked

• The new tab shows the device's screen; the tab title carries the device's name.
• After a connection from the card Connect, the device is listed on the start page under Recently used.

What the other side sees

The same as with a connection from the program: depending on the settings, the dialog "Zugriff erlauben?" (Allow access?) and, during the session, the session window (F1).

Good to know

• No password in the browser: password and quick code never appear in the address and are not stored. "Recently used" only keeps ID, name and time — and only in this browser.
• An access password (a shared password of an access) does not sign you in on the web. "My devices" needs a personal user account.
• The sign-in to "My devices" only applies to this browser tab and expires after a while; then sign in again. Sign out ends it at once; Two-factor sets up or turns off the second factor.
• A quick code is valid once. If the connection fails, the session tab asks for a "New quick code from the device", not for a password.
• Pop-ups: if the browser blocks the new tab, allow pop-ups for browserdesk.de and click Connect again.
• Devices that require a client certificate cannot be controlled from the browser — use the program.
• Language: the button at the top right switches between English and Deutsch.

If it does not work