How to Access Ubuntu Remotely From Android Tablets by Setting Up Remote Connection

PocketCloud RDP/VNC is a great app that I recently discovered on Android market. This app allows you to get access of a remote computer with Windows and Mac OS from any Android Phone or Tablet by setting up a remote desktop connection between the computer and Android device. When I tried to set up a remote connection between Ubuntu (Linux) and my Android device, it did not work. Later, after few workarounds, I found a great side-jack for this. With this trick, you can remotely control Ubuntu using PocketCloud remote control app. This is a very easy process which is nothing but about setting up and enabling a VNC desktop sharing on Ubuntu manually.

I am sure that by this time, you must have upgraded to the new Ubuntu 11.10. If not, go ahead and update. The update is not necessary though, you can follow the procedure even on your older version.

Go to Ubuntu settings and open the “Desktop Sharing” application settings. Now, check the boxes to allow other users to view and control your desktop under the “Sharing” section as shown in the below screenshot. You should also select the option to authorize users by entering password. Give a powerful and secret password tough to guess.

Here ends up the workarounds with Ubuntu.

Configuring your Android device for remote access

Once done all the settings on Ubuntu, now its time to setup the remote access settings of PocketCloud RDP/VNC app installed on your android tablet/phone. If you have not downloaded and installed it yet, go ahead and click this link to download Wyse PocketCloud then follow the instructions below.

1. Run the PocketCloud remote control app on your Android and you will see an “Add Connection” button on the right hand side upper corner.

2. You will be prompted for both the Manual or Automatic Connection settings. Tap on the Manual connection and go ahead.

3. Select the VNC option here(you will be asked to select between RDP and VNC).

4. Now, you will get a VNC configuration window, where you will need to select the connection settings. Choose “Windows” at the option for Operating system Enter your preferred nickname and local IP address of your Ubuntu computer. You can find this option on your Connection status tab of Ubuntu. Enter the secret password you have configured earlier into the Ubuntu configuration.

Now, Tap on save to save the settings.

5. You will be taken back to Home screen on the app, where you will see a “Connect” button. Tap on it to connect to your Ubuntu Machine. You will get a mouse icon to control using touch as well as the keyboard option. You can also use it to right/left click the objects.

You can end up the connection by tapping Exit. PocketCloud made it easy to control your Ubuntu PC from a remote place as well for this you will need to configure your PC for a dynamic DNS option to get access to it from anywhere.

There are other app on Android Market that can help you to get access to Ubuntu remotely e.g UremoteDesktop. It is also a great option to remote control Ubuntu, but mouse and keyboard control of PocketCloud is much better.

Tip: Remotely Shut Down PC from mobile.

There many other Linux distros. Please let us know about the apps that you use in those Linux for establishing a remote connection from your Android device.