The Complete Guide to Using "Windows App" on Mac mini M4: Mastering Remote Desktop Connections

As I mentioned in my introduction, I have used Windows and Linux as my main systems for many years, and I recently purchased a Mac mini M4 to step into the world of Mac. The refined UI of macOS and the seamless integration between Apple devices are wonderful, and while I now use it as my main machine, I still continue to use my existing Windows 11 and Linux machines. I found it cumbersome to switch monitor inputs, keyboards, and mice whenever I wanted to use my Windows 11 or Linux machines.

Until now, when it came to remote desktop connections on a Mac, there was the official Microsoft "Microsoft Remote Desktop" app, but a newer, more feature-rich "Windows App" was released in September 2024. This app is excellent because it can connect not only to Windows but also to Linux (GNOME desktop).

In this article, for users like me who use a Mac mini M4 as their main machine but still want to use Windows or Linux occasionally and find switching monitors, keyboards, and mice to be a hassle, I will carefully explain everything from installing the "Windows App" to specific connection settings for Windows 11 and Arch Linux, and even how to solve the Japanese input issue that many people stumble upon, so that anyone can easily put it into practice.

You can find the magazine containing my previous articles here.

First, the conclusion

I will summarize what we will achieve in this article and the key points for doing so.

• Goal: Comfortably connect to Windows and Linux via remote desktop from the "Windows App" on macOS.

• Connecting to Windows: Enable "Remote Desktop" on the Windows machine you are connecting to.

• Connecting to Linux: Enable "Desktop Sharing" on the Linux (GNOME) machine you are connecting to.

• Japanese Input Issue: Solve this by changing the IME shortcut keys on the destination OS.

• Security: Always use a VPN when connecting from a public network.

Now, let's look at the specific steps!

[Step 1: Preparation] Let's install "Windows App" on macOS

First things first, you need to install the "Windows App" on your Mac. This process is very simple.

Install via Homebrew

If you have Homebrew installed, you can install it with a single command.

brew install --cask windows-app

You will be prompted for your password, so please enter it.

Install via App Store

1. Launch the App Store on your Mac.

2. Enter "Windows App" in the search bar at the top right of the window and search.

3. The "Windows App" provided by Microsoft Corporation will appear, so click the "Get" button. You may be asked for your Apple ID password or Touch ID.

With this, the setup on the Mac side is complete.

[Step 2: Practical Application 1] Remote Connection Settings for Windows 11

First, I will explain how to connect to a Windows PC, which is likely the most common use case.

Settings on the side being connected to (Windows 11)

To accept connections from macOS, several settings are required on the Windows side.

1) Enable Remote Desktop

• Press the `Win + I` keys to open the "Settings" app.

• Select "System" from the menu on the left, and click "Remote Desktop" from the list.

• Switch the toggle for the "Remote Desktop" item to On. If a confirmation dialog appears, click "Confirm".

• [Note] To enhance security, ensure that "Require devices to use network level authentication to connect (recommended)" is checked. This ensures a more secure connection.

2) Check connection information

To connect, you need information to identify the Windows PC. Use either the "Computer Name" or the "IP Address" for this.

• Computer Name: Displayed at the very top of "Settings" -> "System".

• IP Address: Launch Command Prompt or PowerShell, type `ipconfig`, and press the Enter key. The number in a format like `192.168.x.x` displayed under the "IPv4 Address" item is it.

Make a note of either piece of information. Personally, I think using the IP address is more reliable. However, since the IP address might change, I recommend setting a static IP or fixing the IP address in your router settings to make future connections easier.

3) Verify user account

A user account with a password is required for remote desktop connections. If you have not set a password, be sure to do so.

You are likely using a Microsoft Account.

Settings on the connecting side (macOS)

Next, configure the "Windows App" you installed earlier on your Mac.

• Launch Windows App from Launchpad or your Applications folder.

• Click the "+ (Add)" button in the top right of the main screen, and select "Add PC" from the menu that appears.

The Add PC settings screen will appear. (The screenshot shows Edit PC, but the settings are the same as Add PC.)

• In the "PC name" field, enter the IP address or computer name of the Windows PC you checked earlier.

• For the "Credentials" item, you can leave it as "Ask when required," or you can save your Windows username and password by clicking the "+" button.

• Entering an easy-to-understand name in "Friendly name" will make it easier to distinguish.

• Click the "Add" (or "Save" in the case of Edit PC) button in the bottom right, and a connection icon for the PC will be created on the main screen.

• Double-click this icon to start the connection. A certificate warning may appear during the first connection, but please click "Connect" to proceed.

If the Windows desktop screen appears successfully, you are done!

[Step 3: Practical Application 2] Remote Connection Settings for Arch Linux (GNOME)

Next, here is how to connect to an Arch Linux system with a GNOME desktop environment. Since "Windows App" uses RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), you will need to configure the Linux side to accept RDP connections.

Note that this method is for GNOME 48 settings.

Settings on the side being connected to (Arch Linux)

1) Enable GNOME Desktop Sharing

• Open GNOME 'Settings', select 'System' from the left menu, and navigate to 'Remote Desktop'.

• Select the 'Desktop Sharing' tab at the top of the window.

• Turn the 'Desktop Sharing' and 'Remote Control' switches ON.

• Set the 'Username' and 'Password' under the 'Login Details' section.

• This username and password are set separately from your login user. Be sure to note them down, as this information will be required when connecting.

2) (Recommended) Check connection information via command line

If you have set a complex password to strengthen security, we recommend connecting to Linux via SSH and running the following command from the terminal to verify the information more reliably.

grdctl status --show-credentials

Running this command will clearly display the current sharing status and the authentication information (username/password) required for connection.

Settings on the connecting side (macOS)

The setup method is the same as for Windows, so the steps are omitted here. Double-clicking the icon should display the Linux desktop on your Mac screen.

You can now use the macOS Windows App to connect via remote desktop to both Windows 11 and Arch Linux (GNOME).

[Troubleshooting] Common Problems and Solutions

Remote desktop can sometimes encounter specific issues. Here are two representative examples.

Problem 1: Cannot switch Japanese input (IME)!

This is a very common issue. The cause is a conflict between the shortcut keys on the macOS side (such as `control + space`) and the shortcut keys on the remote OS.

The most effective solution for this is to change the IME switching shortcut key on the remote OS side (Windows/Linux) to a key combination not used by macOS (e.g., 'Shift + SPACE'). This avoids key input conflicts.

Problem 2: Connection drops when the screen locks during Linux connection!

This is due to GNOME's specifications. While this behavior is correct from a security standpoint, it can be inconvenient if the connection drops just because you stepped away from your desk for a moment.

To avoid this issue, install the GNOME extension `Allow Locked Remote Desktop` from Extension Manager. This keeps the connection active even when the screensaver is running, allowing you to continue using it once you authenticate as a user.

Problem 3: Cannot connect immediately after Linux (GNOME) startup! (Added March 7, 2026)

Remote desktop connections fail immediately after Linux (GNOME) starts up. This is because a remote desktop connection only becomes possible after the login authentication for Linux (GNOME) has been completed.

Although it requires some knowledge of ssh and commands, there is a workaround, so I have included a link.

Linux (GNOME) will not start GDM if a monitor is not connected. With a dummy HDMI plug, you can use remote desktop from startup using the method in the link above.

Since Windows is bundled with a GUI, it can be connected to even without a dummy HDMI plug.

[Important] Security Precautions

Remote desktop is a very convenient feature that allows you to operate a PC from the outside, but it can also become a major security risk if handled incorrectly. While it is not much of a problem when used in a local environment, please be sure to observe the following points when connecting remotely.

• Strong Passwords: Always set a long, complex password that is difficult to guess for the account used for the connection.

• Use a VPN: When connecting from outside your home or office (such as from a cafe or public Wi-Fi), there is a risk that third parties could snoop on your information because the communication is not encrypted. To prevent this, always connect via a VPN.

• Management after connection: After you finish using the remote desktop, make sure to not only close the connection window and 'Disconnect', but if possible, get into the habit of 'Signing out' or 'Shutting down' from the remote OS.

Conclusion

In this article, I explained how to seamlessly access Windows and Linux desktop environments from macOS using 'Windows App'.

Personally, I feel that the arrival of this app has made cross-OS work smoother than ever, allowing me to effectively utilize the assets of other operating systems while keeping the Mac as my main machine. In particular, being able to connect to a Linux desktop is extremely comfortable for someone like me who works across multiple operating systems, as I can work without having to switch monitors, keyboards, or mice.

I hope you will use this article as a reference to build a safe and efficient remote desktop environment. I hope this article is helpful to you.

Thank you for reading until the end!