Remote Control Module

You can use the Automox Remote Control Module (RCM) to remotely connect to and take control of devices in your Automox console. This is available for Windows and macOS devices. You can copy and paste text between devices engaged in the remote session, configure remote user consent notifications, and adjust for multiple monitors on the remote device.

Configuring Permissions for macOS

When a remote session is initiated with a macOS device, the remote user must grant permissions for Screen Recordings and Accessibility. The module prompts the user to open the System Settings dialog window with pre-populated settings for the Automox Remote Control application. The user then needs to authenticate (enter a password or use Touch ID) and click the toggle to enable these permissions.

1. The local administrator initiates a remote session. Refer to Starting a Remote Session. If consent is enabled on the device details page, the remote user is prompted to grant consent.
   
2. The remote user sees a macOS Screen Recording prompt, which automatically shows up when the session connects.
   
3. The remote user clicks Open System Settings and the System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording window opens, where it is pre-populated with the application Automox Remote Control.
   
4. The user clicks the toggle to enable Screen Recording, and is prompted for a password (or TouchID, if enabled).
   
5. After entering the password to enable Screen Recording, a macOS prompt informs the user that they might need to quit and reopen the application. However, that step is not necessary. The user can click Later.
   
6. Next, when the session connects, the administrator sees the remote desktop. As soon as the administrator mouses over or clicks on the blank desktop, the remote user sees a macOS Accessibility Access prompt.
   
7. The remote user clicks Open System Settings, and the System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility window opens, where it is pre-populated with the application Automox Remote Control.
   
8. The remote user clicks the toggle to enable Accessibility. The password might need to be entered again. However, if the System Settings window is kept open, the user should not need to re-enter their password here, having already done so for Screen Recording.

This concludes the permission-granting experience. The remote user is not directly notified.

Starting a Remote Session

Follow these steps to create a remote connection to a device in your organization.

1. From the Automox console, log in to the organization where the device that you want to create a remote connection to is located.
2. There are two ways to start a remote control session:
   • On the Devices page, find the device that you want to connect to. Click the Actions menu.
   • You can also open the Device Details page to start a session.
     If your organization is under plan with RCM, the Remote Control button is available at the top of the device details page. When the button is grayed out, you either do not have the required plan or the permissions to use this feature.
3. Click Remote Control.
4. Depending on the settings for consent notification for the device, the remote user may or may not get a pop-up for consent. See the Consent Notification section for more details.
5. A separate browser window opens. The remote control module is automatically installed as part of the connection process.
6. Your remote control session has started.

Configuring Consent Notification

By default, all devices require consent by the remote user before a remote session can be established. This requirement can be configured by global and organization administrators, as described later in this section.

A consent notification allows remote users the option to accept or deny a remote connection with the administrator.

• If the remote user clicks Proceed, the remote control module establishes a secure connection between the remote and admin devices.
• If the remote user clicks Cancel, the remote control module stops trying to establish a connection between the remote and admin devices.
• By default, consent is required to remotely connect to any device.

Global and organization administrators can decide which devices need consent from the remote user before establishing the remote session. You can configure this for individual devices on the Device Details page, or in a bulk action for multiple devices on the Devices page.

Configuring consent for an individual device

To configure the consent required settings, follow these steps:

• Identify the device that you need consent required for.
  • Go to the device details page of this device.
  • Ensure that the toggle is switched to the off (left) position.
    
    

To bypass consent required settings, follow these steps:

• Identify the device that you want to exclude from the consent requirement. The remote user is not asked for consent to establish a connection.
  • Go to the device details page of this device.
  • Ensure the toggle is switched to the on (right) position.
    
    

Configuring consent for multiple devices (bulk update)

To configure the consent settings for multiple devices, follow these steps:

1. From the Devices page, select the checkboxes for the devices that you want to configure consent for.
   • You can select up to 500 devices for this setting.
   • Note: The RCM is only available on Windows and macOS devices. If you select any Linux-based device, you will be prompted to modify your selection.
2. Select Actions → Configure Remote Control.
3. From the Remote Control Configuration window, select how you want to configure the selected devices:
   • Require consent for the selected devices. This is the default setting that requires consent from the selected devices.
   • Do not require consent for the selected devices. This setting will bypass the consent requirement for the selected devices. Users will not be asked for consent to establish a connection.
4. Apply your setting.

Disconnecting a remote session

• To disconnect from the remote session, click Disconnect or close the browser window. A notification confirms that the session has ended.

Details of the Remote Control Session

The following features are available within a remote session.

Using the Shared Clipboard

In general, when you have an active remote session, you can copy and paste directly from your device to the remote device, without using the shared clipboard. The shared clipboard is used to copy and paste text to and from the remote device, and is a requirement when using the Firefox browser.

In addition, with the shared clipboard you can enable individual keystrokes to safely send sensitive text to the remote device while keeping it hidden from the remote user.

Copying from the administrator device to the remote device:

1. On your Administrator (local) device highlight and copy the text that you want to send to the remote device.

2. Click the clipboard icon.
   
   Paste text in the Shared Clipboard field.
3. When you perform a paste operation on the remote device desktop, you will paste the copied text.

Copying from the remote device to the administrator device:

1. On the remote device, highlight and copy the text that you want to send to the administrator device.
2. Click the clipboard icon.
3. The text appears in the Shared Clipboard field. When you perform a paste operation on the administrator device, you will paste the copied text.

Sending text using the individual keystrokes option

You can copy and paste sensitive text by enabling individual keystrokes.

1. When you are connected to the remote device, make sure the field where the text should be entered is selected.
2. On your Administrator device, click the clipboard icon.
3. Select the Send text as individual strokes checkbox.
4. Enter the text in the Shared Clipboard field. Text entered is only visible on the administrator (local) device. The text is pasted in the selected field on the remote device hidden from the remote user.

Using Special Key Commands

The special key command button enables you to access shortcuts and modifier keys.

• Windows
• macOS

To use a modifier, select the corresponding button. Then a message appears below to let you know you can then use the keys on your keyboard for further action. Your keystroke is sent to the remote device along with your selected modifier key(s).

Example Remote Session

Status Messages

The following is a list of Remote Control connection status messages and meanings.

Error Notifications

Remote Control - Zooming and Scrolling

The Automox Remote Control Module (RCM) allows you to adjust the size and zoom of a remote control session. Once you are zoomed in, there are multiple ways to scroll your view of the remote device’s screens.

Zooming / Scaling

If the remote device has multiple monitors, it can be difficult to view contents on each of them in a remote session. You can use the Adjust Size/Zoom options to better position monitors within the RCM.

1. Establish a remote session.
2. In the toolbar, click the Adjust Size/Zoom icon.
   
3. Select from four options to manage how you select your view and position on the remote device.

This table describes each option and how you might use them.

Scrolling / Dragging

After you have zoomed in, there are multiple ways to scroll around.

• To turn on Drag/Scroll Mode, click the icon.
  
  
• When the toggle is highlighted, it is on. Click again to turn it off.

Related Topics

• Remote Control - FAQs, Known Issues, and Troubleshooting Guide
• Remote Control and JAMF