VNC Ubuntu

I’ve needed to do this three times now and each time I don’t know what happens but I get issues so writing it down this time. The last time I think I got RDP working but I can’t figure out what’s wrong this time.

The official docs may work for you but I didn’t get through. Linking here as I usually end up looking at them.

Use Case: Simple remote screen sharing on local network. Screen stays visible on host computer and client is also able to view and interact. This is NOT suitable for use on a network that is not private but is good enough for my use case on my local network.

OS Tested on: Ubuntu 22.04 (Both sides) (I also have an older version of Ubuntu that I connect to, but don’t remember what I did on that one and the UI is different).

Setup Host (Side to connect to)

• Go to Settings -> Sharing
• Move the slider at the top to the right to enable

Instructions by picture

In Text

• Go to Remote Desktop
• Enable Remote Desktop
• Check Enable Legacy VNC Protocol
• Enable Remote Control (If you want to do more than view only)
• Optional - You may want to no require the user to be at the machine to approve access
  • Click the three dots next to Enable Legacy VNC Protocol
  • Select Require a password
• Set username and password, under Authentication at the bottom (username doesn’t get used but I put it in anyway as I think it might be used for RDP)
• Check your IP (You may want to set a reserved IP in your router if you plan to do this often)

Setup Client (Side to connect from)

These instructions use Remmina because it comes installed with the distro.

• Set Name to any name you want it is only for you to identify the profile
• Change the protocol to Remmina VNC Plugin
• Set Server to the IP of the Host computer
• Leave Username blank
• Set the User Password to the password set on the host (IF THIS IS WRONG IT DOESN’T TELL YOU WRONG PASSWORD, IT JUST WON’T WORK SO DOUBLE CHECK THE PASSWORD)