VNC Basics

Operating the VNC Server

Let's learn how to operate VNC servers including starting, stopping and debugging them.

Starting a VNC server

First, you need to make sure that you have any Desktop Environment installed in your Linux OS. After you make sure that you're inside the OS shell (shell you get after starting the distro) and not the Termux shell; execute the following command in that-

vncserver-start

Now just download any VNC Viewer app from Play Store (e.g. Real VNC, bVNC, etc.) and connect to localhost:1 or the configured port.

Stopping a VNC server

It is necessary to stop the VNC server once you are done using your distro or exiting it. To stop the VNC server execute the following command in the distro shell-

vncserver-stop

Once you execute it, the terminal will ask you for a port number. Enter 1 as the port number and click enter.

VNC Settings

These instructions assume that you have started your distro and are inside the distro shell (not a Termux shell).

Setting a desired resolution

To apply your desired resolution, please execute the following command-

nano /usr/local/bin/vncserver-start

Now, you just need to change the last line of this file to-

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

You can replace the 1920x1080 to your desired resolution.

Since you've made changes to the file, let's save it by pressing ctrl + x , then hit y and finally hit Enter.

How to change resolution permanently in Modded OS /Ubuntu 19

To change resolution permanently execute the following command in the distro's shell-

nano /usr/local/bin/vnc

Once you do this, 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

You can replace the 1920x1080 to your desired resolution and then restart/start the VNC Server.

Once you are done, just press Ctrl+X and then type Y and then hit enter. Now when you'll do just choose the first option i.e., Start vnc-server with autodetect/dynamic resolution.

How to change the picture quality in VNC

If you are using bVNC then you do not need to make any changes. It will make it's required changes itself.

If you are using RealVNC Viewer, then connect to the VNC Server and then click on (i) button at the top. Change Picture Quality to High, or to your desired quality.

VNC on other devices

You can access the instance running on your phone on any other device on your network.

Continuing with the instructions, please make sure that both of your devices are sharing the same network. If you don't have access to Wi-Fi, you can start the hotspot from the device having the Linux installed and connect the other device to the hotspot. Once both the devices are under the same network, execute the following command inside the distro's shell-

nano /usr/local/bin/vncserver-start

Now edit the last line and change it to-

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

If you are using an Arch-based distribution like Manjaro or Arch Linux itself, please execute the following command instead of the command as mentioned earlier-

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

Once you are done with this open a new Termux session (drag from the left to open the sidebar for more options) and type:

ip a

Now copy then WLAN IP address (eg. 192.168.xx.xx). Now use this IP Address on the other device with the port number as 1 (eg. 192.168.xx.xx:1 ).