Help › Functions

Connect to a Mac or other computer with VNC

Connect to a computer that offers VNC, such as a Mac with Screen Sharing or a Raspberry Pi.

macOSWindowsiPhone & iPad · Coming soonAndroidLinux

Some computers offer VNC instead of DeskRanger: a Mac with Screen Sharing, a Raspberry Pi or a Linux machine with a VNC server. Add the computer as a VNC record (protocol VNC, port 5900 unless you set another) and open it like any other device.

Mac Screen Sharing. Switch on Screen Sharing on the other Mac (System Settings, General, Sharing). DeskRanger asks for the user name and password of an account on that Mac.
Other VNC servers. They usually ask for a single VNC password and no user name. Leave the user name empty. A server without any password connects at once.
Passwords. The password stays on this device, in its password store if you let DeskRanger remember it, and is never stored on DeskRanger's servers. If it is missing or wrong, DeskRanger asks for it.
Window size. The picture is scaled to the window.
On iPhone, iPad and Android. Tap to click, scroll with two fingers, and use the key bar for special keys.
On Windows. A VNC computer opens in the same window as a remote desktop, with the PC's mouse and keyboard.

VNC is not encrypted

VNC does not encrypt the picture or what you type. In a direct connection the session shows VNC · unencrypted on the network, and anyone on the network between the two computers could read it. Use VNC in your own network, or reach the computer through one of your own devices (Access via): the part between your devices is encrypted by DeskRanger, only the last hop inside the home network is not.

Clipboard

Per computer you can switch on sharing the clipboard in its record. It is off at first. The same switch (Share Clipboard) is in the session toolbar. Only text goes across. See also Share the clipboard.