How to remote desktop into Ubuntu

Ubuntu ranks among the most popular Linux distributions, with more than 6 million active monthly users worldwide.

The popularity of the distro lies in both its compatibility with a wide range of hardware and its stability, making it ideal for IT professionals and enterprises using mixed environments.

Remote desktop access for Ubuntu is a critical requirement for IT professionals, enabling them to manage servers, provide remote IT support, or access development environments.

Older versions of Ubuntu made remote desktop access difficult, largely because they relied on Virtual Network Computing (VNC). However, with the arrival of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, and the more recent interim release of Ubuntu 25.10, native support for the https://www.itpro.com/mobile/remote-access/368105/what-is-rdp is easily accessible.

This offers users better performance, a more seamless experience, and removes the need for complex third-party installations.

Our guide explores the two primary methods for how to remote desktop into Ubuntu, including using its built-in RDP, VNC server (for sharing local screens), and installing the xRDP service (for creating independent virtual sessions).

Remote desktop options for Ubuntu

Remote desktop solutions for Ubuntu previously relied on the aforementioned VNC, and this remains an adequate cross-platform option. A significant shift has taken place since 22.04 LTS and later, however, and Ubuntu now defaults to RDP.

Notably, the current GNOME desktop environment offers users a high-performance RDP server out of the box, providing a smoother user experience with better security features compared to older VNC-based versions.

Remote desktop solutions for Ubuntu previously relied on the aforementioned VNC, and this remains an adequate cross-platform option. A significant shift has taken place since 22.04 LTS and later, however, and Ubuntu now defaults to RDP.

Notably, the current GNOME desktop environment offers users a high-performance RDP server out of the box, providing a smoother user experience with better security features compared to older VNC-based versions.

For IT professionals connecting to Windows, this is a very convenient feature, meaning they can now use standard Windows-based RDP tools to access an Ubuntu machine without installing third-party clients.

It’s worth noting, however, that if you require legacy support or are connecting from older Linux distributions, Ubuntu still allows you to toggle on the traditional VNC protocol within the system settings.

Similarly, if you need to connect from an Ubuntu machine to other Windows, macOS, or Linux systems, Ubuntu offers the Remmina Remote Desktop Client. Remmina is an open source tool that supports RDP, VNC, and SSH protocols through a centralized dashboard to manage remote infrastructure without switching applications.

1. Accessing system settings: Click on the top-right menu or press the Super key (Windows key) and search for settings.
2. Navigating to remote desktop: On the sidebar, click System then select Remote Desktop (this was under ‘Sharing’ in older versions).
3. You can opt for ‘Legacy VNC’. but only toggle this if you need to connect from an older VNC viewer.
4. Unlocking settings: Click the Unlock button at the top and enter your password.
5. Enabling remote desktop: From here, toggle the switch to ON.
6. Selecting a protocol: It’s here that you can select RDP (our recommendation).
7. Setting credentials: Under the ‘login details’ section, note down the username and create a password.

To this, follow these steps:

1. Access network settings: Click on the network icon in the top-right system tray area. From here, select your active connection and click Settings.
2. Locate your IP address: In the window that pops up, look out for the IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.1.105) - you’ll need this later.
3. We recommend configuring a static IP address in router settings so this doesn’t change.

With your IP address identified, you’re now ready to connect to Windows, Mac, or Linux.

For Windows Users, opening the built-in remote desktop connection app will allow you to enter the IP address and connect. Once prompted, you can use the username and password previously set up.

For macOS users, you’ll need to download the Windows app (previously known as the Microsoft Remote Desktop app for Mac) from the App Store. The steps thereafter are similar, requiring you to ‘Add PC’ and enter the IP address, then save.

For Linux/VNC Users, if you enabled the ‘Legacy VNC’ mentioned in Step 1, you’ll need a viewer application like Remmina. Enter the IP address, and if necessary, the port - see Step 4 below for more information.

Alternative methods (for virtual sessions)

While the native RDP method mirrors your screen, if you want to create a new, independent session (such as a terminal server) or if you are using a desktop environment other than GNOME, we recommend you use xRDP, an open source RDP server for Linux systems.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal: Press Ctrl + Shift + T.
2. Install xRDP: Type sudo apt install xrdp -y and press Enter.
3. Enable Service: Type sudo systemctl enable --now xrdp.
4. TIP: You must log out of the physical Ubuntu machine before connecting via xRDP. This is because Linux usually allows only one graphical session per user.

• TightVNC (this is a popular choice for Windows users)
• TigerVNC (compatible with multiple platforms)
• RealVNC Viewer (Offers remote access to Mac, Windows, and Linux devices)
• UltraVNC

All of the aforementioned clients are lightweight, easy to use, and require minimal configuration post-installation.

In this guide, we used TightVNC on Windows. The steps were very straightforward - simply download the installer, run it using default settings, and it will be ready to use.

Once completed, this means your Ubuntu machine can now accept incoming RDP connections.

For additional information, you can refer to our guide on how to use Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection for any client-side specifics.

What you need to consider when using Ubuntu remote desktop

Security should always be a paramount concern when using Ubuntu remote desktop.

With this in mind, never open RDP or VNC directly to the internet. Threat actors actively scan certain ports. You can always use a VPN to connect to a local network first, however, or use SSH Tunneling to forward connections securely.

In terms of performance, wired Ethernet connections will typically outperform Wi-Fi for any remote desktop task.

We also recommend using Secure Shell (SSH) for command-line access. This remains the industry standard, making it perfect for file management or administration tasks.

Further reading on remote desktops

If you want more information on remote desktop best practices and tips, ITPro offers a range of content on this front, helping you explore different protocols and platforms.

You can learn more about options like RDP, XRDP, or VNC, as well as what TeamViewer has to offer. If you're using Microsoft products, you might find our guide on Microsoft Remote Desktop useful.

For those working with macOS, we also provide step-by-step instructions on setting up a remote desktop on a Mac, configuring Chrome Remote Desktop, and how to remote desktop from Mac to Windows.

Common troubleshooting issues on Ubuntu

Even if you’ve followed best practices to the letter, issues can always pop up. These include:

• Black screen: This is among the most common issues and typically occurs when you’re logged in locally on a physical machine while starting a remote session. We recommend logging out of the physical machine or using the desktop sharing RDP built into settings instead of xRDP.
• Connection refused: If this occurs, check that the service is active and that firewalls aren’t blocking the port.
• Password rejected: This typically happens when you use the system login password, rather than the dedicated RDP password you set up in the settings menu. Make sure to double-check.