VNC Basics

VNC lets you see and use your distro's graphical desktop from a VNC client app. This page shows you how to start and stop the VNC server, connect to it, tweak its resolution and picture quality, and access it from other devices on your network.

Operating the VNC ServerCopy Anchor Link

Let's learn how to operate the VNC server, including starting, stopping and debugging it.

Starting a VNC serverCopy Anchor Link

Start VNC ServerCopy Anchor Link

If you are on the VNC server page in Andronix, the app has already copied the necessary command to your clipboard. Just paste it in Termux (in the distro shell, [root@localhost]) and run it.

Copy Text

vncserver-start

Select ResolutionCopy Anchor Link

If you're prompted to select a resolution, just press Enter to have it selected dynamically.

Install a VNC ClientCopy Anchor Link

Next, install the RealVNC app from the Google Play Store (or any other VNC client).

Add VNC ServerCopy Anchor Link

Press the Add (+) button to add a VNC connection. Enter localhost:1 as the address, give it a name and save it.

Select VNC ServerCopy Anchor Link

Tap the connection you just created.

ContinueCopy Anchor Link

You might be warned that the connection is untrusted. Tap OK to continue.

Enter your VNC passwordCopy Anchor Link

When prompted, enter the password you set while installing the distro and tap Continue.

You can turn on the "Remember the password" toggle for convenience.

Almost doneCopy Anchor Link

You should now see the GUI of your Linux distribution.

Let's Improve the QualityCopy Anchor Link

You might notice the picture quality is poor. Don't worry, we'll fix that in the next step.

Click on 'i' ButtonCopy Anchor Link

Press the i button on the top menu bar of the VNC app to open its settings.

Select High Picture QualityCopy Anchor Link

In the VNC app's settings, scroll down to the Picture Quality section and select High.

Yay!Copy Anchor Link

You should now see the GUI of your Linux distribution in high quality.

All done!Copy Anchor Link

You can now use your Linux distribution just like you would on a PC.

Stopping a VNC serverCopy Anchor Link

Stop the VNC server whenever you're done using your distro or are about to exit it. To do so, run the following command in the distro shell:

vncserver-stop

The terminal will then ask you for a port number. Enter 1 and press Enter.

VNC SettingsCopy Anchor Link

Setting a desired resolutionCopy Anchor Link

To set your preferred resolution, open the VNC start script by running:

nano /usr/local/bin/vncserver-start

Then change the last line of the file to:

vncserver -name remote-desktop -geometry 1920x1080 :1

Save the file by pressing ctrl + x, then y, and finally Enter.

How to change resolution permanently in Modded OS /Ubuntu 19Copy Anchor Link

To change the resolution permanently, run the following command in the distro's shell:

nano /usr/local/bin/vnc

Then replace the second line with:

LD_PRELOAD=/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/libgcc_s.so.1 vncserver -localhost no -depth 24 -name remote-desktop -geometry 1920x1080 :$PORT

When you're done, press Ctrl+X, type Y and press Enter. The next time you start the VNC server, choose the first option, Start vnc-server with autodetect/dynamic resolution.

How to change the picture quality in VNCCopy Anchor Link

If you're using bVNC, you don't need to change anything; it adjusts the quality automatically.

If you're using RealVNC Viewer, connect to the VNC server and tap the (i) button at the top. Then change Picture Quality to High, or to whatever quality you prefer.

VNC on other devicesCopy Anchor Link

First, make sure both devices are on the same network. If you don't have access to Wi-Fi, turn on the hotspot on the device running Linux and connect the other device to it. Once both devices are on the same network, run the following command inside the distro's shell:

nano /usr/local/bin/vncserver-start

Now change the last line to:

vncserver -name remote-desktop -geometry 1920x1080 -localhost no :1

vncserver -name remote-desktop -geometry 1920x1080 -localhost :1

When you're done, open a new Termux session (swipe in from the left edge to open the sidebar for more options) and type:

ip a

Copy the WLAN IP address (e.g. 192.168.xx.xx). On the other device, connect to this IP address with port number 1 (e.g. 192.168.xx.xx:1).

Next stepsCopy Anchor Link

• Prefer XSDL over VNC? See XSDL Basics.
• Want terminal access from another device instead? See SSH Basics.
• No sound in your desktop? See Fixing Sound.