Share your desktop
You can let other people view and control your desktop from another computer with a desktop viewing application. Configure Remote Desktop to allow others to access your desktop and set the security preferences.
You must have the GNOME Remote Desktop package installed for Remote Desktop to be visible.
Open the Activities overview and start typing System.
Select Settings ▸ System from the results. This will open the System panel.
Select Remote Desktop to open the panel.
To let others view your desktop, set the Remote Desktop switch to on. This means that other people will be able to attempt to connect to your computer and view what’s on your screen.
To let others interact with your desktop, set the Remote Control switch to on. This may allow the other person to move your mouse, run applications, and browse files on your computer, depending on the security settings which you are currently using.
Connecting
The How to Connect section displays the Device Name and Remote Desktop Address that can be used on the connecting computer. Click the button next to each entry if you want to place it in the clipboard. A connection can also be made using your IP address.
When the other computer is successfully connected to your desktop, you
will see the Screen is being shared icon,
in your system status area.
If the text set as Device Name allows you to edit it, you can change the name your computer displays on the network.
Security
The Authentication section displays the login credentials to be used in the client software on the connecting device.
- User Name
Use the suggested value or enter your own.
- Password
-
Use the suggested value or enter your own.
Click the button next to each entry if you want to place it in the clipboard.
- Verify Encryption
Click the Verify Encryption button to display the encryption fingerprint. Compare it with the value displayed by the client when connecting: they should be identical.
Clients
To connect to your desktop from another computer, the following clients are known to work.
- From Linux:
Remmina, a GTK client, is available as a package in most distributions, and also as a flatpak. Use default settings, particularly Color depth 'Automatic' in the connection profile settings.
xfreerdp is a command line client available as a package in most distributions. The option /network:auto should be passed to the client on the command line.
- From Microsoft Windows:
mstsc is the built-in Windows client. Default settings are recommended.
- From Linux, Windows, or macOS:
Thincast is a proprietary client. The Linux version is available as a flatpak. Default settings are recommended.
Stop sharing your desktop
To disconnect someone who is viewing your desktop:
Click the system menu on the right side of the top bar.
Click Screen is being shared.
Click Turn off.