To set up RealVNC Connect, install the app on both computers, sign in with the same account and team, then enable unattended access on the computer you want to control. Open that computer from your device list and enter its configured remote-access credentials. You can also use RealVNC Viewer on a phone or tablet to connect to your registered computer.
Your RealVNC account handles sign-in and device registration, while a device password or an authorized account on the remote computer authenticates your connection. Sign in only through RealVNC’s own app or website, and never share a code, password, or remote access with someone who contacts you.
The short version
- Install the apps: Put the all-in-one RealVNC Connect app on both computers, or use Viewer on the controlling device and Server on the remote computer.
- Sign in and register: Sign in with the same RealVNC account on both computers and enroll the remote computer in your team.
- Enable unattended access: Configure a device password on the computer you want to access, or authorized system credentials if your plan supports them.
- Make the connection: Open the remote computer in your device list, compare its identity details and authenticate.
| Setup option | What you need | Connection requirement |
|---|---|---|
| All-in-one desktop setup | RealVNC Connect on both computers | Same account and team, with unattended access configured |
| Separate desktop apps | Connect Viewer on the controller and Connect Server on the target | Remote computer enrolled in your team |
| Phone or tablet control | RealVNC Viewer for Android or iOS/iPadOS | Registered computer with remote access configured |
| One-time desktop access | Connect or Connect Viewer 8.x on the controller | Code and approval from a supported Connect 8.x or Server 7.x target |
| Account portal launch | Installed Viewer with browser integration | Target’s Server credentials |
| Direct LAN or VPN connection | Viewer or Connect and the target’s address | Subscription permitting direct connections |
| iPhone or iPad screen viewing | RealVNC Server mobile app | On-Demand Assist entitlement |
Choose and download your desktop apps
Open the official RealVNC download page, choose Windows, macOS or Linux, then select the appropriate package. For an all-in-one setup, install RealVNC Connect on both computers. The application supports both controlling another computer and receiving a connection.
If you use the separate installers, put Connect Viewer on the controlling computer and Connect Server on each computer you want to access. Sign in when prompted and enroll the remote computers in your team. Standalone Connect Viewer v8.4.0 and later require you to remain signed in.
For personal, non-commercial use, the RealVNC Connect Lite page provides the free plan’s details and enrollment options. If you use Lite, activate the subscription before registering your personal devices. Then complete the account sign-in and device registration.
Install RealVNC Connect and register both computers
Run the RealVNC Connect v8 installer and click Accept and Install. Click Create Account to register, or click Sign-in if you already have a RealVNC account. Complete authentication in your browser.
If you receive a new-device verification email, click Continue Sign-in in that email. Choose your team in the browser, then click Open to return to the application. Repeat the installation and sign-in process on your other computer, using the same account and team.
Complete the Mac or Linux setup
On a Mac being controlled, click Open System Settings from the permission prompts. Grant vncagent the Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions for viewing and control.
For local-network access on macOS, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and enable the relevant RealVNC application. Viewer also needs the applicable local-network permission, so check it on the controlling Mac when it applies.
On a supported Linux desktop, download and extract the Linux installer, launch it, then click Accept and Install. If the installer prompts you to disable Wayland, click Yes to use X11. Complete account authentication and return from the browser.
If your Linux setup-app interface presents a configuration review, review the configuration and click Launch. Once you are in RealVNC Connect v8, configure unattended access on the computer you want to control.
Enable unattended access on the remote computer
On the computer you want to control, click Enable unattended access. Set VNC Device Password, then click Save and enable unattended access. Retain that password for subsequent connections.
On Plus and higher plans, you can authenticate with an authorized account on the remote computer instead: click Enable unattended access, then click Use my system credentials instead. Essentials supports only a VNC Device Password. Subsequent connections use that remote computer account’s credentials. Windows administrators are authorized by default for system authentication, while other users need permission.
To authorize another account when using system authentication, open RealVNC Server and select Options > Users & Permissions. Click Add and choose the account or group, then assign Normal permissions for ordinary control or View-only permissions for observation. You can also assign Administrative permissions to bypass approval prompts or, on Premium and higher plans, Custom permissions for individual capabilities.
Connect to your computer for the first time
On the controlling computer, open Devices and double-click the remote computer. Alternatively, open its ... menu and click Connect. This route uses devices registered in the same team with unattended access configured.
Compare the displayed Identity check with the remote computer’s details. On the remote computer, open My Device, then open Identity check to find the information to compare. After comparing the details, click Next step on the controlling computer.
Enter the device password you configured, or the authorized remote-system credentials if you selected system authentication. Click Continue to connect. Use the credentials configured for remote access here, rather than assuming the prompt needs your RealVNC account password.
If the computer is missing from your device list, check that both installations use the same RealVNC account and team. Confirm that unattended access is enabled on the remote computer before trying the connection again. If system authentication fails for a non-administrator account, check its authorization under Users & Permissions in RealVNC Server.
Use your phone or tablet to connect
On Android, install RealVNC Viewer: Remote Desktop from Google Play. On an iPhone or iPad, install it from Apple’s App Store. Sign in to the mobile app with your RealVNC account.
Tap the registered computer and authenticate with its configured remote-access credentials. Enter the device password or authorized remote-computer account credentials selected during setup. Your phone or tablet controls the registered computer through this connection.
Use a one-time code when you can approve access
Use Code Connect when you can approve the connection on the target computer. Code Connect availability depends on your RealVNC plan, so check that your subscription includes it. On the target’s home page, find Remotely access this device > One-time access and obtain the nine-digit code. On the controlling device, open Access other devices > One-time access, enter that code and click the arrow button.
Review the connecting identity on the target computer, then click Confirm. If your controlling app shows the alternative interface, open Code Connect > Connect to a remote device, enter the code and click Connect. Approve the connecting identity on the target to complete that connection.
Starting a Code Connect connection requires Connect or Connect Viewer 8.x; Viewer 7.x cannot initiate it. The target can run supported Connect 8.x or Server 7.x. On a Server 7.x target, select Generate code to obtain the code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does installing Viewer use a remote-device license?
Installing Connect Viewer alone does not consume a remote-device license. You can install it on the controlling computer while enrolling the computers running Connect Server as your remote devices.
Can you start a connection from your RealVNC account in a browser?
Yes, with Viewer and its browser integration installed, sign in at manage.realvnc.com and open Devices > Computers. Select Connect beside the target, select Open RealVNC Viewer, then select Yes. Enter the target’s Server credentials and select OK; this portal workflow opens the local application.
Can you connect directly using a computer’s IP address?
Yes, if your subscription permits direct connections, enable direct connectivity when licensing the remote Server and ensure the network permits its listening port, normally 5900. Find the target’s private IP address or hostname and enter it in Viewer or Connect over your LAN or VPN, then authenticate with its configured credentials. Standalone Connect Viewer v8.4.0 and later still require account sign-in.
Can you access an iPhone or iPad as the remote device?
Yes, with an On-Demand Assist entitlement, generate a session code on the controlling computer, then install RealVNC Server on the iPhone or iPad and enable its notifications and screen-sharing notifications. Enter the code, tap Connect, tap Start Broadcast, then tap outside the broadcast panel to expose the screen. This provides viewing only: remote control is unavailable, and direct LAN connections to mobile targets are unsupported.
