Using Azure Virtual Desktop with iPadOS

The iPad received its own iPad operating system (iPadOS) based on iOS 13 in September 2019. Almost simultaneously, the long-awaited Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) became available. Why the ezeep team is especially happy about two iPadOS innovations and what they have to do with Azure Virtual Desktop can be found in our video and blog post.

ThinPrint’s Henning Volkmer shows how easy it is to access and print in Windows Virtual Desktop from an iPad.

Working with Azure Virtual Desktop and iPads

The new iPadOS 13 offers many interesting business features, such as slide over and split view, which optimize working with multiple apps on the iPad. The newly designed home screen, where widget pins can now be added for a better overview, or the improved file app are further examples. However, here at ThinPrint we’re particularly excited about two iPad features that will make working productively and accessing Azure Virtual Desktop so much easier.

With iPadOS 13, Safari becomes a desktop browser

Apple has updated its Safari web browser. From iPadOS 13, the iPad will act as a macOS computer for web servers. For users, this means that Safari will no longer display the mobile versions of web pages but will allow them to access the desktop versions of websites. This allows them to conveniently use web applications like Google Docs and WordPress on their iPad, easily download files with the new download manager, and better collaborate with colleagues.

And that’s not all – Safari’s “desktop-class” version makes it easy for users to access Azure Virtual Desktop. Using desktop-class browsing, users can then simply access a Microsoft hosted website that runs on the Azure platform along with the virtual desktops.

iPadOS 13 supports a mouse

With iPadOS 13, the iPad can be connected to a mouse via USB or Bluetooth and fully operated this way. A mouse cursor is then displayed that simulates a finger. The mouse connection makes it much easier for iPad users to work on a Azure Virtual Desktop with apps such as Excel.

The Azure Virtual Desktop App for iPad(iOS)

In addition to accessing a Azure Virtual Desktop via Safari browser, the Remote Desktop iPadOS app is also available in the Apple Store. This is more convenient and also offers the possibility to save login credentials. By default, a mouse can also be used as input device. An especially useful advantage is that the screen resolution can be adjusted to the user’s requirements.

Azure Virtual Desktop and Printing from iPads

With iPadOS 13, the iPad is moving further in the direction of desktop computers and will be able to be used even more productively in the corporate context. To enable users to not only edit but also print files on virtual desktops, ThinPrint, selected by Microsoft as an integration partner, offers ezeep, its cloud printing solution for Azure Virtual Desktop. ezeep takes on all print management tasks and saves IT departments the hassle of printer drivers and printer assignments.

What about iPad users? They open Azure Virtual Desktop in their desktop-class Safari browser or the Remote Desktop app, open the desired file on their iPad, with or without the mouse, and hit the print button. ezeep ensures that they can immediately take their printout from the printer.