Learn about Ubuntu Remote Desktop

Do you need to connect to a remote computer? Perhaps you are in another room and need to get a file from it. Instead of having to move from room to room, if the devices are on the same network, this will be easy, regardless of the operating system you use.

Using Ubuntu's remote desktop tool gives you full control of the desktop from any other computer: Linux, macOS or Windows. You can see what's on that screen, move the mouse and even type!

The remote desktop feature supports VNC and is integrated into Ubuntu by default. Here's how to use remote desktop software with Ubuntu.

3 ways to remotely control Ubuntu

In general, you have 3 options to control Ubuntu computers remotely:

1. SSH: Secure Shell
2. VNC: Virtual Network Computing
3. RDP: Remote Desktop Protocol

Although many Linux users consider SSH to be the remote connection tool of their choice, it lacks a graphical user interface (GUI). It has a popular command-line tool, Ubuntu's built-in remote desktop tool, supporting all three options.

Moreover, you are not limited to remote control by Ubuntu or Linux computer. After configuring the sharing, the Ubuntu PC can be accessed remotely. Linux, Mac and Windows PC can use remote desktop tools to control Ubuntu. You will also find VNC tools for Android and iOS.

Turn on Ubuntu Remote Desktop

Activating Ubuntu Remote Desktop couldn't be easier. You don't need to install anything because Ubuntu has built-in VNC support. However, you will need to migrate to an Ubuntu PC to set up for the first time.

Click Search and enter 'desktop sharing', then click Sharing. You will see a simple options window. Along the top edge of the window, click the toggle to turn on the feature. Next, click the Screen Sharing button and again, find the toggle switch on the window and click that button to turn it on.

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Make sure that the Allow connections to control the screen option is enabled. For security purposes, you should also set a password here.

As soon as you turn on the remote connection, the local name of Ubuntu device will be displayed. This is an address of VNC, make note of it for remote access later.

Remote control Ubuntu with VNC

Controlling Ubuntu computer via VNC from another device is very simple. Just make sure you have installed the VNC client application or VNC Viewer. Here's how to use VNC from another desktop.

Remote control of Ubuntu desktop with other Linux devices

Ubuntu (and many other Linux distributions) comes with the pre-installed Remote Desktop Viewer tool. This means that once the Ubuntu PC is configured for remote connection, you can connect to it from any Linux distribution you use.

1. Click Search and enter remote.
2. Choose the first result, Remmina.

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1. Select VNC in the left drop-down menu.
2. Enter the VNC address (or IP address) that you noted earlier for the Ubuntu PC.
3. Press Enter to start the connection.
4. When prompted, enter the password.

When you add devices, they are saved in a list so you can quickly access them in the future.

Use this tool to connect to other Ubuntu desktops on the network and you can control that computer remotely. This tool can also be used to control any computer with a VNC client installed.

Remote connection with Ubuntu from Windows

Do you want to control your Ubuntu computer from a Windows computer? Using the same VNC address (or IP address of an Ubuntu computer), you can do that.

However, you will need a VNC client first, such as the VNC Viewer (from VNC Connect) installed on your Windows computer. You can then connect to your Ubuntu machine by entering the VNC or IP address.

Check out TipsMake.com 's guide on how to establish a remote desktop connection with Ubuntu from Windows for full details.

Set up Ubuntu Remote Desktop from the Mac

Mac users who want to connect to their Ubuntu machines should use the integrated VNC Viewer tool.

Again, connecting to Ubuntu machines is a simple matter of entering the IP address or VNC address provided. Refer to the article: Control your Mac remotely with Apple Remote Desktop for more details.

Learn about Ubuntu's RDP support

You can also connect to your Ubuntu computer via RDP.

Remote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary system developed by Microsoft. It has proven so successful that RDP server and client applications are available on most software platforms.

The RDP authentication system is based on your computer username and password. The setup is also very quick and easy.

Configure Ubuntu RDP

Before connecting to Ubuntu via RDP, you will need to know the IP address of the remote computer.

The easiest way is to open a terminal and enter:

 ifconfig 

Be sure to note the inet addr value corresponding to the connection type. For example, if your Ubuntu computer runs on Ethernet, use this IP address.

Next, you will need to install xrdp. This is an RDP server for Ubuntu (as well as other Linux devices) and is required before connecting remotely.

Install with:

 sudo apt install xrdp 

After installation, launch the server with:

 sudo systemctl enable xrdp 

With xrdp running, you are ready to use RDP.

Remote control Ubuntu with RDP

As noted, RDP clients are available for almost any platform. For example, you can use Remmina's RDP function, if you use a Linux computer to control Ubuntu remotely. Similarly, RDP is built-in for Windows.

If you use a standard desktop, use the following steps to use RDP and connect to Ubuntu.

1. Ubuntu / Linux: Launch Remmina and select RDP in the drop-down box. Enter the IP address of the remote PC and press Enter .
2. Windows: Click Start and type rdp. Find the Remote Desktop Connection application and click Open. Enter the IP address of the Ubuntu computer and click Connect.

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1. Mac: Start by installing Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 software from the App Store. Launch the software, click Add Desktop, add the IP address under PC Name, then click Save. Just double click the connection icon in the application window to start the remote desktop session.

Instructions on using RDP on a Mac will help here. It is intended to control a Windows computer remotely, but the setup is similar to Linux.

Note that RDP will prompt for Ubuntu PC account login information when the connection is first established.

Can you remotely control Ubuntu when you leave home?

Do you want to connect to your Ubuntu machine when traveling? This is a bit more difficult, but not entirely impossible. You will need a static IP address or a verb from a service like DynDNS. This basically forwards a web address to devices running DynDNS on the network.

Hope you are succesful.