Stepped away from your Linux desktop and need something from it? RealVNC Viewer for iPhone turns your phone into a full remote control for a Linux computer’s desktop, so you can check on it or fix something without going back to it.
RealVNC Viewer for iPhone: remote access on the go
The RealVNC Viewer app for iOS shows the Linux computer’s screen directly on your iPhone and lets you interact with it using touch, over Wi-Fi or mobile data – the same RealVNC Connect technology used on desktop, adapted for a phone screen.
What you’ll need
- A Linux computer with RealVNC Server installed and running
- An iPhone running a supported version of iOS
- A RealVNC Connect account – a free trial is available
- An internet connection on both devices
Step 1: Set up RealVNC Server on your Linux computer
On the Linux computer you want to control:
- Download the RealVNC Connect setup app from the RealVNC website.
- Click Download for Linux.
- Extract the installer in your Downloads folder using your file manager, then run it by double-clicking the RealVNC Connect installer icon.
- Click Accept and Install, and follow the on-screen instructions. If prompted to disable Wayland, accept – this is needed for RealVNC Connect to function correctly.
- Once installation completes, choose Start my free trial if you’re new to RealVNC Connect, or Sign in to continue if you already have an account.
- Your browser will open automatically. Follow the on-screen prompts, then click Open to return to the RealVNC Connect Setup app.
- Review the settings shown, then click Launch. If you keep the default VNC Password, make a note of it – you’ll need it when you connect from another device.
Step 2: Install RealVNC Viewer on your iPhone
- On your device, open the App Store and download the RealVNC Viewer: Remote Desktop app.
- Open the app and sign in using your RealVNC account credentials.
Your Linux computer will appear automatically in your list of remote computers.
Step 3: Connect to your Linux computer from your iPhone
Tap your Linux computer in the list to connect.
Verifying the connection with Identity Check
The first time you connect, RealVNC Viewer shows an Identity Check screen with a Catchphrase and Signature. Compare these against the values shown in RealVNC Server on the remote computer to confirm you’re connecting to the right machine.
Authenticating
You’ll be asked to authenticate. Enter the VNC Password you noted during setup, or the username and password of an account on the Linux computer if you selected Unix Password authentication instead.
A note on cloud vs. local connections from iPhone
Direct (local network) connections aren’t supported when connecting from mobile devices, so a connection from your iPhone always goes through RealVNC’s encrypted cloud connection. Sign in with the same RealVNC account on the Linux computer and the iPhone and there’s nothing else to configure – it works over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Troubleshooting common issues
- Linux computer not listed in RealVNC Viewer: confirm both devices are signed in to the same RealVNC account, and that RealVNC Server is running.
- Can’t authenticate: double-check you’re using the VNC Password noted at setup, or valid Unix account credentials.
- RealVNC Connect won’t install: make sure Wayland is disabled when prompted during installation – RealVNC Connect currently requires an X11 session.
Start controlling your Linux computer from iPhone with RealVNC Connect
RealVNC Connect offers a free trial with no credit card required, so you can try controlling your Linux computer from your iPhone before subscribing.
FAQs
Can I control a Linux computer from an iPhone?
Yes. Install RealVNC Server on the Linux computer and the RealVNC Viewer app on your iPhone, then sign in with the same RealVNC account on both.
Does my Linux computer need to be switched on?
Yes – it needs to be powered on and logged in to a graphical desktop session, with RealVNC Server running.
Is the RealVNC Viewer app for iPhone free?
Downloading and installing RealVNC Viewer is free. You need an active RealVNC Connect subscription or free trial to connect to a computer.
Can I type and use the mouse from my iPhone?
Yes. RealVNC Viewer maps touch gestures to mouse actions and provides an on-screen keyboard for text entry.
