Ubuntu 26.04 comes with built-in GNOME Remote Desktop functionality, supporting both RDP and VNC protocols. No additional software is needed to enable remote access. This article covers how to configure and use these remote desktop solutions.

GNOME Built-in Remote Desktop (Recommended)

Ubuntu 26.04’s GNOME 50 desktop includes a built-in remote desktop service based on the gnome-remote-desktop component with native RDP protocol support.

Enabling Remote Desktop

1. Open “Settings > System > Remote Desktop”
2. Turn on the “Remote Desktop” toggle
3. Set the access method:
   • Remote Control: Allows remote users to control your desktop
   • Remote Login: Allows remote users to log into a new session

Configuring RDP Access

In Remote Desktop settings:

1. Enable “Remote Desktop”
2. Note the displayed device address (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
3. Set a username and password for remote authentication
4. If needed, enable the “Require verification” option for enhanced security

Connecting from Windows

The built-in Windows “Remote Desktop Connection” client can connect directly:

1. Open “Remote Desktop Connection” (mstsc.exe) on Windows
2. Enter the Ubuntu machine’s IP address
3. Enter the username and password you configured
4. Click “Connect”

Connecting from macOS

On macOS, you can use the Microsoft Remote Desktop client (download from the App Store) to connect to Ubuntu’s RDP service.

Connecting from Another Linux Machine

# Using GNOME Connections
sudo apt install gnome-connections
 
# Using Remmina (more feature-rich)
sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-rdp

Open Remmina, create a new connection, select the RDP protocol, and fill in the address and credentials.

VNC Remote Desktop

VNC is another widely used remote desktop protocol.

Using a Standalone VNC Server

You can install TigerVNC as a standalone VNC server:

sudo apt install tigervnc-standalone-server tigervnc-common

Configure the VNC server:

# Set VNC password
vncpasswd
 
# Start VNC server
vncserver :1 -geometry 1920x1080 -depth 24
 
# Stop VNC server
vncserver -kill :1

VNC Client Connection

Connect to the VNC server from other devices:

# Install TigerVNC Viewer on Linux
sudo apt install tigervnc-viewer
 
# Connect
vncviewer server-address:5901

Security Considerations

Remote desktop involves security risks. Please observe the following:

Using SSH Tunnels to Encrypt VNC

The VNC protocol does not encrypt transmissions by default. It is recommended to use SSH tunnels:

# Establish an SSH tunnel on the client
ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 username@server-address
 
# Then connect to the local forwarded port
vncviewer localhost:5901

Firewall Configuration

Ensure only necessary ports are open:

# RDP default port 3389
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
 
# VNC default port (display :1 corresponds to 5901)
sudo ufw allow 5901/tcp
 
# Allow only specific IP range
sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 3389

Other Security Recommendations

• Use strong passwords for remote desktop authentication
• Do not expose remote desktop ports directly to the public internet
• For external access, use a VPN or SSH tunnel
• Regularly check remote access logs

Remote Desktop Performance Optimization

Network Optimization

• Use a wired connection on the LAN for the best experience
• RDP protocol is generally more bandwidth-efficient than VNC
• Lowering color depth and resolution can improve the experience under low-bandwidth conditions

Display Settings

When using an RDP connection, the client typically allows you to set:

• Resolution matching the client screen
• Color depth (high quality vs. high performance)
• Audio redirection
• Clipboard sharing

Common Troubleshooting

Unable to Connect to Remote Desktop

# Check if the remote desktop service is running
systemctl status gnome-remote-desktop
 
# Restart the service
systemctl restart gnome-remote-desktop
 
# Check if ports are listening
ss -tlnp | grep -E '3389|5900'
 
# Check firewall rules
sudo ufw status

Black Screen After Connecting

This is usually a Wayland permission or GNOME Remote Desktop service-state issue. Ensure that screen sharing permissions have been granted in Remote Desktop settings and restart gnome-remote-desktop; if the problem persists, update the system or use another remote desktop method.

Laggy Connection

• Lower the resolution and color depth settings on the client
• Check if network bandwidth is sufficient
• Disable unnecessary desktop animation effects

Summary

Ubuntu 26.04’s built-in GNOME Remote Desktop feature makes remote desktop configuration very straightforward, and the RDP protocol provides good compatibility with the Windows ecosystem. For advanced users, VNC offers more flexibility. Regardless of which solution you choose, always prioritize security configuration to prevent unauthorized remote access.