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Connecting to Linux over RDP from a Mac is very easy and fun.

  1. How to RDP to Linux from a Mac computer
  2. Use xrdp on Linux Mint to allow connections from a Windows computer
  3. Remote Desktop to Windows from Gnome
  4. How to use VNC to connect to a remote Linux machine and administer it with the graphical desktop

How to RDP to Linux from a Mac computer

I managed to connect to an Ubuntu 18.04 machine from a Macintosh very easily. I used the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the app store. This allows a systems administrator on a Macintosh machine to RDP to a Windows machine to operate the desktop as if they were sitting in front of it. But you may also use a Linux machine over RDP as well. Get this app here. Connecting to Linux over RDP from a Mac is a simple way to administer a Linux machine from a Macintosh PC.

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/microsoft-remote-desktop-10/id1295203466?mt=12. Then install xrdp on the Ubuntu machine to allow RDP connections from a remote machine.

sudo apt install xrdp

Now the user may run the RDP app and connect to the remote Ubuntu machine very easily. This is of course just as easily managed from a Windows machine.

Connecting via RDP to an Ubuntu Fluxbox session from a Mac.
Connecting via RDP to an Ubuntu Fluxbox session from a Mac.

Just enter your username and password to connect to the Ubuntu session. I just hate the Macintosh app store, I was asked to add payment details to install a free app. But I set payment details as “none” and added a valid phone number and it let me install the app. Nevertheless, it works and this is a great way to connect to a remote machine. Just ensure you are logged out of your Linux machine before logging in over RDP. But this is just a minor annoyance to be sure. When you get such benefits by the ability to connect to a Linux server over RDP.

Linux desktop viewed over RDP.
Linux desktop viewed over RDP.

Looks very good too. So if you are a Macintosh user and are looking for a good Remote Desktop app for a Mac, look no further than the Microsoft offering, as it works very well. I got a message when connecting regarding the operating system, as it could not detect what it was connecting to, but just click next and it works fine.

This is a very good app for RDP.
This is a very good app for RDP.

I recommend Xrdp, it makes Linux life easier, you can connect to your Linux box from any Windows or Mac PC and administer it simply, over a Remote Desktop connection, very nice to be able to use graphical desktop applications on a real desktop in a window or full screen. There is a tip on this page on how to control which desktop environment appears when you connect. On my machine, it opens Fluxbox instead of MATE or Gnome, but that is fine. This really works for me as a remote administration solution.

The remote Desktop feature requires TCP port 3389 to be open. Also, opening UDP port 3389 enables acceleration since RDP 8.0. So if the PC you want to RDP into is on the other side of NAT, make sure this port is allowed through NAT. This port may be changed in Windows easily using Powershell.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/change-listening-port.

Use xrdp on Linux Mint to allow connections from a Windows computer

Use xrdp on Linux to allow remote connections from a Windows computer.

Remote Desktop to Windows from Gnome

How to open an RDP connection to Windows from Linux using the remote desktop utility for Gnome.

How to use VNC to connect to a remote Linux machine and administer it with the graphical desktop

Use VNC to connect to a remote Linux machine.

5 thoughts on “Connecting to Linux over RDP from a Mac is very easy and fun.”

  1. I get an error message when trying to connect from RDP: 0x204 “Make sure that the PC is turned on and connected to the internet and that remote access is enabled”, which it is. Any ideas?

    Reply
    • Either you read here or not. I really thanks to you. I tried 30 minutes to find out why Microsoft Remote Desktop can’t connect the linux machine. Because as you said Logout from linux is required.

      Reply

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