This is our Welcome and Get Started Guide to TeamViewer for personal use
What is TeamViewer?
The TeamViewer company is a leading global software provider for digital networking and collaboration - founded in 2005 in Göppingen, Germany.
Its flagship product, TeamViewer, is an all-in-one solution for remote support, remote access, and online meetings which allows you to assist customers remotely, work with colleagues from a distance and also stay connected with your own devices or assist friends and family members.
Further information is available at: www.teamviewer.com and in our Knowledge Base.
What is the difference between the free and paid versions of the software?
The free version of the software is available for personal users. This means if you are making connections between your own personal devices at home or are connecting to friends and family to assist or communicate with them.
However, the software is not free if you are using it in relation to your employment or within an organization. This includes connecting to your work computer or colleagues, working from home, supporting clients through TeamViewer or connecting/monitoring any devices that create some form of revenue or compensation even if this is for a Not-for-profit (Although we do offer special NFP pricing).
There are also feature differences between the versions and license levels. If you purchase a license, these additional features will be unlocked when you apply your license.
You can also find more information using the links below.
Licenses and features - full comparision
How exactly is "private use" defined?
TeamViewer Personal Use Verification
Which operating systems are supported?
TeamViewer has support for a wide range of operating systems. However please note that not all operating systems look and behave in the same way and there may be feature differences between them. Click here for more information.
What is a TeamViewer ID?
A TeamViewer ID is a unique 9- or 10-digit numeric ID assigned to each device when TeamViewer (Classic) is installed. This ID is designed not to change and should remain constant even if the software is uninstalled and reinstalled.
💡Hint: Think of this ID as a phone number for your device. You dial the TeamViewer ID, then use the password to authenticate the connection. You can also save these ID's in the contacts list of your TeamViewer account like you would save phone numbers in the contacts list of a mobile phone.
The TeamViewer ID can be seen on the Remote Control tab of the full version of TeamViewer (Classic):
What is a TeamViewer Account?
A TeamViewer account keeps all the devices that you connect to organized so that you can connect to them in a click.
It will also let you know of any changes in the software and allow other users to contact you in the software.
You can click here to find out more about this.
Which version of the software should I install?
TeamViewer has a few different packages that have different purposes.
For instance the Full Version which is available for Windows, macOS and Linux and can be used for inbound and outbound connections as well as meetings, through to our QuickSupport module which is a simple package used to allow inbound connections.
For more information, please see our comparison of the different versions here.
Quick Info
Full Version
The Full Version has the most functionality out of the software. We recommend you install this version on devices that you will be making connections from. This version also allows incoming connections from other devices and can be set up for unattended access or can be connected to with a random password.
Host
The Host module allows unattended access and runs all the time on a remote computer.
This version of the software is simple and does not allow outbound connections.
QuickSupport
As the name implies, the QuickSupport module allows for quick and easy support without installation. This Module does not install and does not require setup however it does require a person on the other side to provide the random password and is not for unattended access.
💡Hint: You can also upgrade your customers straight to host when connected to QuickSupport if you are connecting from Windows. This is often much easier than having customer set up the Host themselves. Click here for an article on this.
Making your first connection
How it Works
On your friends' and family members' computers
- Ask your friend or family member to install the TeamViewer Full Version in their computer.
- Ask your friend or family member to share their TeamViewer ID and password.
- You can connect to your friend's or family member's computer.
On your computer
- Install the TeamViewer full version software.
- On your computer, enter the TeamViewer ID of your friend or family member under the heading Control Remote Computer.
- Click the Connect to partner button.
- Enter the TeamViewer password of your friend or family member.
- You can work on that computer as if you were sitting directly in front of it.
💡Hint: If you are logged in to your Computers & Contacts list during the connection, you will be asked whether you would like to add that computer to your list. If you select this option, you will be able to connect fastest the next time.
See the video for a guided presentation of how to make your first connection:
