Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit-card-sized system that gets plugged into a system, TV, or monitor. It uses the very same standardized mouse and keyboard. OR, it can be its computer because why not? It has the power and specifications to do so. Now, the problem is that what if you want to access your Raspberry Pi remotely from a Windows 10, 11, Mac or Linux system?
By default remote connections are turned off, in this article, we cover how you can configure your Raspberry Pi to connect over remote desktop protocol (RDP).
With its help, you can explore computing and learn how to program in various languages such as Scratch and Python.
Before you continue make sure to have the following:
- Raspberry Pi 3 or 4.
- A mouse and keyboard
- A 16 GB Micro SD card, preferably from SanDisk or Kingston.
- An internet connection (needed for the remote connection).
Why do people use and don’t use a Raspberry Pi
They use it because:
- It carries multiple sensors.
- It can be used as a portable system.
- Fast processor.
- It is a cheap mini-computer.
- It is very light in weight and can be carried
- Provides support to different kinds of codes.
Why they don’t:
- It does not run Windows by default (Yet).
- It is as impractical as a Desktop Computer.
- It misses the Graphics Processor.
- It misses eMMC internal storage and needs a micro SD card.
5 Benefits of RDP to Your Raspberry Pi
The benefits are endless with the abilities it opens with having the remote desktop connection protocol enabled on the Pi. Below are some of the best advantages you get by doing so:
- You don’t need a physical cable connection.
- You can connect over your wireless or wired network.
- Connect to your Raspberry Pi computer from anywhere in the world.
- Use it as a secure server on which you can run services including a VPN.
- Access blocked sites or apps by connecting remotely over a censored network.
Configure Raspberry Pi Remote Desktop for Windows 11, 10, Mac and Linux
It is a proprietary protocol that has been designed to make use of low-bandwidth connections to provide your desktop with access.
To allow usage of RDP on this we shall be using software known as xrdp.
This software would take both your screen and formats into RDP implementation.
It has many benefits over a VNC server or Teamviewer, the biggest being the low bandwidth needed.
For this, you need X Windows implementation installed to display the desktop otherwise you shall see a blank screen.
The Tmate software shall work if you are only looking for terminal sharing.
First, we need to ensure that everything is up to date. for this run the following commands:
Paul@ninja-ide:~# sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
After this, you need to install “xrdp package” to the Raspberry pi which shall allow you to remote raspberry to it.
If you are unaware, then this is an open-source implementation of Microsoft’s proprietary RDP server, which is the very same protocol to which many windows installations can be connected to and from.
Moreover, it also works with Microsoft’s client which is built within Windows.
Paul@ninja-ide:~# apt-get install xrdp
As it gets installed, there is not much left to do.
It will automatically get installed with the best configuration and work great.
To go back to its local IP address use the following command:
Paul@ninja-ide:~# Hostname –I
SEE ALSO: How To Create Your Own Bluetooth Jammer with Python on Raspberry Pi.
Setup VNC Server and PiTunnel
VNC is also another method that you can use to connect to your Pi device. The only downside is that it works on local networks and not over the public internet.
To configure VNC for a remote desktop, follow the below instructions:
- Run the software configuration utility, and don’t forget to “sudo”.
Paul@ninja-ide:~# raspi-config
2. Now choose “Interfacing Options – Option #5” and select it.
3. Now choose “VNC – Enable/Disable graphical remote access to your Pi using RealVNC“.
4. In the prompt window on the next screen, choose “yes” to go ahead.
5. Finally hit “Ok” and your remote access is now enabled and running.
ALSO SEE: How to Activate Python Virtual Environment in Windows 11.
Words of advise: The default RDP port 3389 is commonly known and is always brute-forced. It is recommended you change it to something much more random.
How To Connect to your Raspberry Pi with Remote Desktop Protocol
You must have a remote desktop application on your system and Pi’s local IP address.
First, you must launch the “Remote Desktop Connection App” on your PC.
Click on the search bar, type the above term and open the icon that looks like a desktop.
Next to “My Computer” enter its local IP address or Public IP address then press the “connect” option.
Once the connection has been established you need to enter in username and passcode for Raspberry’s existing account.
If you are using the default one then for the username use “pi” and a password use “raspberry”.
You shall now be able to access it by using the remote desktop tool on the PC.
If there are any issues then check to see if you are utilizing the correct IP address or not, else you can also use another method like TeamViewer or TightVNC software.
ALSO SEE: Ninja IDE for Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 Python Programming (Free).
4 Remote Desktop Client Alternative Choices
Royal TS
It is designed to support RDP and others including VNC, SSH, FTP and SFTP, and connection via web-based interfaces. It has many features like credential management and sharing features, meaning there is no need to log in repeatedly.
Out of many features, one great is that it can create command and key sequence tasks through which you can create your very own tasks and automate the troubleshooting processes.
It carries a “lite” version, which can be downloaded for free and allows up to 10 connections and credentials.
Terminals
This is free and open-source. It aims to manage the issue that controls different connections simultaneously. It supports RDP and works with VNC, VMRC, SSH, HTTP and HTTPS.
It is rich in features like a multi-tab interface, resizable windows, toolbars that can be customized, connection history and many more.
Screens for Mac
If you are a Mac user looking for an alternative, this is your call. Moreover, for users of the iPhone, it comes with Screen iOS that helps you to control other systems from your phone or iPad simply by using an SSH connection.
It carries a free trial of screens MAC called Screens Express but with limited use for certain situations.
MobaXTerm
This one is a toolbox for remote computing. It shall provide you with many functions in a single Windows app tailored for programmers, IT administrators, webmasters and other users who need to deal with their remote job.
Conclusion
This article touched on various aspects of the Raspberry Pi remote desktop configuration on Windows, Linux and Mac. We have used the two primary methods which involve xrdp and using VNC which is the most preferred one. We showed you alternative RDP clients that you could install for wider flexibility.
Other tutorials you will find interesting to read:
