The Remote Desktop App seems to have been retired early on MacOS?

Rich Simpson 0

The page for accessing AVD with the Remote Desktop app for MacOS was updated at the beginning of September.

Now the url linking to the Microsoft Remote Desktop app in the MacOS store links to the Windows app in Preview within that store, and the Microsoft Remote desktop application appears to have been deleted from the store.

We’ve not had any notification that this is happening, is this a mistake?

1 answer

anashetty 255 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-09-24T15:21:41.7566667+00:00

Hi Rich Simpson,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Platform! Thank you for asking your question here.

Microsoft is transitioning from the Microsoft Remote Desktop app and introducing a new Windows App, starting in September 2024. This change has led to some confusion, as the older app has been removed from the Mac App Store, and now links redirect to the Windows App (currently in preview for macOS). For users on macOS, iOS, and Android, the Windows App will completely replace the previous Remote Desktop Connection app—an update to the Remote Desktop app will automatically switch it over to the new Windows App.

For more information, please refer to https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/windows-app-now-available-on-all-major-platforms/ba-p/4246939

If you have any further queries, please do let us know.

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anashetty 255 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-09-25T11:12:16.7666667+00:00

Hi Rich Simpson,

Just checking in to see if you had a chance to see my response to your question. Please tell us if it was helpful and feel free to reach out to us if you have any queries.

If you feel that your queries have been resolved, please accept the answer by clicking the "Upvote" and "Accept Answer" on the post.

Rich Simpson 0 Reputation points

2024-09-25T17:52:53.1766667+00:00

Hi Anashetty

Thanks for your response.

The replacement on MacOS caught us completely flat footed - our conditional access policies are at the level of named apps which meant they were no longer correct for any new joiners on Mac’s, and all our training videos and guides for AVD suddenly went out of date.

Is there a timeline/specific date when Remote Desktop for Windows is going to be replaced by the Windows app, so we don’t get caught out when that happens?

anashetty 255 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-09-26T15:01:28.23+00:00

Hi Rich Simpson,

Microsoft is transitioning from the Remote Desktop app to the new Windows App, which will unify remote connectivity services like Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Windows 365. The change has already done to macOS and iOS users, who now use the Windows App. However, Windows users can still use the Remote Desktop app, which will eventually be replaced by the new app. Although no specific date has been announced, Microsoft is gradually moving towards the new app, which is currently available in preview.

please refer to this for more information https://windowsforum.com/threads/microsofts-windows-app-transition-from-remote-desktop-explained.340887/

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/windows-app-general-availability-coming-soon/ba-p/4206647#:~:text=Also%20announced%20for%20this%20fall%20is%20the%20Windows%20App%20for

If you have any further queries, please do let us know.

If you feel that your queries have been resolved, please accept the answer by clicking the "Upvote" and "Accept Answer" on the post.

anashetty 255 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-09-27T13:07:05.5433333+00:00

Hi Rich Simpson,

I have provided more information to your question. Please tell us if it was helpful and feel free to reach out to us if you have any queries.

If you feel that your queries have been resolved, please accept the answer by clicking the "Upvote" and "Accept Answer" on the post.

anashetty 255 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-09-30T13:42:38.88+00:00

Hi Rich Simpson,

Just checking in to see if you had a chance to see my response to your question. Please tell us if it was helpful and feel free to reach out to us if you have any queries.

If you feel that your queries have been resolved, please accept the answer by clicking the "Upvote" and "Accept Answer" on the post.
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The Remote Desktop App seems to have been retired early on MacOS?

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