Get your Raspberry Pi working seamlessly from anywhere with these remote connection methods.

Learn how to access your Raspberry Pi from any device, without the need for a physical monitor or keyboard, using different remote connection methods like SSH, VNC, and RDP. …


Updated August 15, 2023

Need help with your Raspberry Pi?
Contact Me!

Do you love silly Raspberry Pi Projects?
Check out my this YouTube Channel!


Learn how to access your Raspberry Pi from any device, without the need for a physical monitor or keyboard, using different remote connection methods like SSH, VNC, and RDP.

Remote access is an essential tool for anyone working with Raspberry Pi devices. It allows you to control and manage your Raspberry Pi systems from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. In this article, we will explore three popular remote connection methods that can be used to connect to a Raspberry Pi: SSH, VNC, and RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol).

Method 1: Connecting via SSH

SSH, or Secure Shell, is the most common method for connecting remotely to a Raspberry Pi. It allows you to execute commands on your Raspberry Pi just like if you were sitting in front of it. To connect using SSH, you will need an SSH client installed on your local device and your Raspberry Pi should have SSH enabled by default.

  1. Open the terminal or command prompt on your local computer.
  2. Type ssh pi@<raspberry_pi_ip_address> and hit Enter. Replace <raspberry_pi_ip_address> with the IP address of your Raspberry Pi. The default password is raspberry.
  3. If this is the first time you are connecting, a warning message may appear indicating that the authenticity of the host cannot be established. Type yes and hit Enter to continue.
  4. You will now be prompted for your Raspberry Pi’s password. Enter raspberry and hit Enter.
  5. You should now have access to your Raspberry Pi’s terminal. Execute commands as you would on a local system.

Method 2: Connecting via VNC

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is another popular remote connection method for Raspberry Pi devices. It allows you to view and control the graphical interface of your Raspberry Pi remotely, as if you were sitting in front of it.

  1. First, install a VNC server on your Raspberry Pi by running sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade followed by sudo apt-get install tightvncserver.
  2. Configure the VNC server by running tightvncserver :1 (replace :1 with any display number you prefer). This will start the VNC server and provide you with a randomly generated password. Make note of this password as you will need it to connect from your client device.
  3. On your local computer, download a VNC viewer such as TightVNC or RealVNC.
  4. Open the VNC viewer and enter the IP address of your Raspberry Pi followed by the display number you chose earlier (e.g., <raspberry_pi_ip_address>:1).
  5. Enter the password generated when setting up the server on the Raspberry Pi and click ‘OK’.
  6. You should now have access to your Raspberry Pi’s graphical interface.

Method 3: Connecting via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

RDP is a remote desktop protocol that allows you to connect to the graphical interface of your Raspberry Pi from any device with an internet connection. It provides a similar experience to using a physical monitor and keyboard.

  1. First, install xrdp on your Raspberry Pi by running sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade followed by sudo apt-get install xrdp.
  2. Reboot your Raspberry Pi with sudo reboot.
  3. On your local computer, download an RDP client such as Remmina or Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection.
  4. Open the RDP client and enter the IP address of your Raspberry Pi in the ‘Computer’ field.
  5. Enter the username (default is pi) and password (raspberry).
  6. Click ‘Connect’ to access your Raspberry Pi’s graphical interface.

Note: It is recommended to change the default password for security reasons by running passwd in the terminal on your Raspberry Pi.

In conclusion, remote access to a Raspberry Pi is essential for managing and controlling your device without being physically present. The three methods discussed (SSH, VNC, and RDP) each have their advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs and setup. Choose the one that best suits you and enjoy the convenience of working with your Raspberry Pi from anywhere!