VNC Ubuntu

    Published: 2024-01-07

    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 🔗

    First Set

    Second Set

    Authentication

    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.

    Remmina Config

    • 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)