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Ubuntu 26.04: Remote Desktop Access from a Mac (RDP)

You have an Ubuntu 26.04 LTS machine somewhere in the house and want to see and control its desktop from your MacBook or Mac mini — the same way you would use Remote Desktop between two Windows PCs.

Good news: everything you need is already installed on Ubuntu. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ("Resolute Raccoon") ships with GNOME 50, and its built-in Desktop Sharing feature speaks RDP — the exact same protocol Windows uses. There is nothing to install on the Ubuntu side, no third-party remote desktop server, and no extra desktop environment. On the Mac you install one free app from the App Store.

Coming from Windows? This is the Linux equivalent of flipping the Remote Desktop toggle in Windows Settings — see Windows 11 — Enable Remote Desktop for comparison. The client app on the Mac is even the same one you would use to reach a Windows PC.

Why RDP and not VNC?

You may have read older tutorials recommending VNC on Linux. Forget those for Ubuntu 26.04:

  • GNOME's remote desktop service switched to RDP as its protocol years ago because RDP performs better and encrypts the connection by default.
  • Ubuntu builds the service without VNC support — there is no VNC option in the stock system, and that is fine.
  • RDP clients are excellent on every platform, including macOS.

So: RDP it is. The macOS built-in Screen Sharing app (which speaks VNC/Apple's own protocol) will not work here — you need the free RDP client described below.

Pre-requisites

  • Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Desktop (the standard installation with the GNOME desktop — Ubuntu Server has no desktop to share)
  • A user account with sudo rights on the Ubuntu machine
  • A Mac running macOS 14.0 or later (required by the Windows App)
  • Both devices in the same network (this guide covers LAN access only)

Step 1: Enable Desktop Sharing on Ubuntu

Desktop Sharing mirrors the session of the user who is logged in — you see the same screen as someone sitting in front of the machine. That is the mode you want for "control my Ubuntu box from the couch".

On the Ubuntu machine:

  1. Open Settings (click the top-right corner of the screen → gear icon, or press the Super key — the Windows key — and type "Settings").
  2. Go to System → Remote Desktop.
  3. Open the Desktop Sharing tab.
  4. Turn on Desktop Sharing.
  5. Turn on Remote Control — without it you can watch the screen but not move the mouse or type.
  6. Look at the Login Details section. It shows a user name and password used only for remote connections. Note both down (there are copy buttons).

Also note the hostname or IP address shown on the same page — that is the address you will type on the Mac.

Two different passwords — this trips up everyone

The password under Login Details is not your Ubuntu login password. When the Mac asks for credentials, use the user name and password from the Login Details section. Your normal Ubuntu password will be rejected.

Verify from a terminal that the RDP service is enabled:

grdctl status

The output should show the RDP service as enabled.

Step 2: Find the Ubuntu machine's IP address

The Remote Desktop settings page already shows the address, but it never hurts to double-check. This is the Linux equivalent of running ipconfig on Windows:

ip -brief address

Look for the entry of your network adapter (usually enp... for Ethernet or wlp... for Wi-Fi) — the address looks like 192.168.1.50. Ignore lo (that is the machine talking to itself) and anything starting with 127..

Step 3: Install the Windows App on your Mac

Microsoft's RDP client for macOS is called Windows App (it was renamed from "Microsoft Remote Desktop" — same app, new name). Despite the name, it connects to any RDP server, including your Ubuntu machine. It is free.

  1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
  2. Search for Windows App (publisher: Microsoft Corporation) and install it — or use the direct link: Windows App on the Mac App Store.

Step 4: Connect from the Mac

  1. Open Windows App.
  2. Click the + button → Add PC.
  3. PC name: enter the Ubuntu machine's IP address, e.g. 192.168.1.50.
  4. Credentials: leave on Ask when required, or add the user name and password from Ubuntu's Login Details now so you are not asked every time.
  5. Optionally give the entry a Friendly name like "Ubuntu Desktop".
  6. Click Add, then double-click the new tile to connect.

On the first connection the app warns that the certificate could not be verified. That is expected: Ubuntu generated a self-signed certificate for the encrypted connection, and your Mac simply doesn't know it yet. On your own LAN this is safe to accept — click Continue.

You should now see your Ubuntu desktop in a window on the Mac.

Good to know: someone has to be logged in

Desktop Sharing shares an existing desktop session, so it only works while your user is logged in on the Ubuntu machine. If the machine sits at the login screen after a reboot, the connection will fail.

For that case GNOME 50 has a second mode in the same settings panel: System → Remote Desktop → Remote Login. It presents the Ubuntu login screen over RDP, so you can sign in remotely even when nobody is logged in — just like RDP on a Windows machine. Enabling it requires an administrator password, and you set a separate user name and password for the connection.

Two details when both modes are enabled:

  • Remote Login takes the standard RDP port 3389.
  • Desktop Sharing then moves to another port — the Desktop Sharing panel shows which one, typically 3390. In Windows App, connect to 192.168.1.50:3390 to reach the live session instead of the login screen.

For unattended machines and VMs (headless setup via grdctl --system on the command line), see Ubuntu Desktop — Enable Remote Desktop (RDP).

Firewall

Ubuntu Desktop ships with the UFW firewall inactive by default, so a fresh installation needs no firewall changes. Check first:

sudo ufw status

If it says Status: inactive, you are done. If you have enabled UFW, allow RDP from your local network only (adjust the subnet to match yours):

sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 3389 proto tcp

The rule takes effect immediately. If you use both Desktop Sharing and Remote Login, repeat the rule for the Desktop Sharing port (typically 3390).

Common Issues

Symptom Likely cause Fix
"Unable to connect" Ubuntu machine is at the login screen Log in locally, or enable Remote Login (see above)
Login fails ("credentials did not work") Ubuntu account password used Use the user name/password from Settings → Remote Desktop → Login Details
Certificate warning on the Mac Self-signed certificate Expected on a LAN — click Continue
Connection works but ends up at a login screen Connected to Remote Login (port 3389) instead of the session Connect to the Desktop Sharing port shown in the settings panel (typically 3390)
You can watch but not click or type Remote Control disabled Enable it in the Desktop Sharing settings
Machine unreachable after a while Ubuntu went to sleep Settings → Power → set Automatic Suspend to Off while plugged in

Security Notes

  • Keep this on your local network. Do not forward port 3389/3390 on your router to the Ubuntu machine — exposed RDP ports are scanned and attacked constantly. For access from outside, use a VPN into your home network first.
  • Pick a strong password in Login Details even on a LAN — every device in your network can reach the port.