How to Use RealVNC

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: July 11, 2024

This wikiHow teaches you how to get started with RealVNC's VNC Connect, a screen sharing solution that lets you operate a remote computer anywhere on the internet. VNC Connect consists of two applications: VNC Server, which is installed on the computer you want to control, and VNC Viewer, which you can use on nearly any operating system to control the server remotely.

Steps

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1
Activate your VNC subscription. RealVNC's VNC Server, the software you have to install on the computer that will be controlled, requires a license for use. To get this license, you'll need to create an account. Here are your options:
- A Home license is available for personal use at no cost and provides basic remote control of one computer.^{[1]
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  Research source} To get a free Home license, visit https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/home, and follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.
- If you need to control between 2 and 10 computers, you'll need a Professional or Enterprise account. These licenses cost money, but 30-day trials are available. To get a free trial of RealVNC Professional or Enterprise, visit https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/trial and follow the on-screen instructions to create your account.
2
Download VNC Server on the computer you want to control. The VNC Server software will need to be installed on any computer you want to operate remotely, while VNC Viewer will be installed on the computer, phone, or tablet you're using to access the server remotely.^{[2]
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Research source} To download VNC Server:
- Go to https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/vnc on the computer you want to control.
- Click your operating system.
- Click the blue Download VNC Server [version] button.
- Save the installer to your computer.
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3
Run the VNC Server installer on the computer you want to control. Double-click the installer file you downloaded, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. During the setup, you'll be prompted to sign in with your RealVNC account—your Home, Professional, or Enterprise license is connected to this account.
- If you're installing the Enterprise version, enable cloud connectivity when prompted during setup.^{[3]
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4
Download VNC Viewer to your local computer, phone, or tablet. VNC Viewer can be installed on a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS.
- On a computer: Go to https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer and select your operating system. Click the blue Download VNC Viewer link to download the installer to your computer.
- Android: Open the Play Store app in your app drawer and search for vnc viewer. Tap INSTALL when you find it and follow the on-screen instructions.
- iPhone/iPad: Open the App Store app, tap Search, and search for vnc viewer. Tap GET once you find it and follow the on-screen instructions.
5
Install VNC Viewer and log in. During the installation process, you'll need to sign in with the same account you used to sign in to the VNC Server on the computer you want to control. Once the process is complete, the VNC Viewer app will be ready to use.
- On a computer: Double-click the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to install. When asked to sign in, use your RealVNC account information.
- On a phone or tablet: The app is already installed, so just tap the VNC Viewer icon on the home screen or in the app drawer, and then follow the on-screen instructions to log in with your RealVNC account.
The VNC Server application must be running when you attempt to make a connection.
Once the VNC Server is running on the computer to be controlled, it'll appear as a selectable option in VNC Viewer. A login screen will appear.
This time you won't be using your RealVNC account—instead, use the login information you normally use to log in to the remote computer, such as a local user or network account. Once your password is validated, you will see the desktop of the remote computer in VNC Viewer on your computer, phone or tablet.