How to connect to GNOME Remote Desktop using RDP server both ways 2026
In this video I will show you how to connect to GNOME Remote Desktop. This can be achieved with built-in RDP server on the host computer and FreeRDP on the client computer.
I hope you enjoy the video!
Since GNOME desktop environment is Wayland only, installing xrdp isn't possible.
GNOME has built-in RDP server. To enable it on Manjaro Linux or any other distros, go to "Settings", "System", "Remote Desktop".
You can use one or more of the following options:
Desktop Sharing. Allows remote clients to connect to the desktop session of the Linux user that is currently logged in on the server.
To view the image on the remote desktop window, you need to enable "Desktop Sharing" option. To allow the remote user to control your screen, set "Remote Control" to on.
Set a username and a password in the "Login Details". Remote clients must enter these credentials when connecting to your desktop from a remote client. Type the same username and password that are set for the current user. Sometimes you need to type the username with lowercase only. Otherwise, you may run into issues.
Both computers should be connected to the network. Otherwise, you won't be able to connect to the host computer.
Command to determine an IP address of the host computer:
ip addr
ip address
On the client computer make sure you can reach that IP address. Type command:
ping destination -c count
Command to connect to remote PC:
For X11 clients
xfreerdp3 /u:user /w:width /h:height /v:server /dynamic-resolution /sound
For Wayland clients
wlfreerdp3 /u:user /w:width /h:height /v:server /dynamic-resolution /sound
/dynamic-resolution - every time you change the size of the window the resolution on remote desktop session changes (it doesn't work, when using "Desktop Sharing" on GNOME Remote Desktop).
/sound - audio redirection from remote computer to client computer on FreeRDP.
Desktop Sharing option means every action performed by the user on remote desktop session will be synchronized with the host computer.
It is important the "Remote Control" setting should be enabled. Without this option you won't be able to do any actions on remote desktop session.
Remote Login. Allows remote clients to open the GNOME login screen, where they can login as a Linux user with the correct credentials.
If "Desktop Sharing" and "Remote Login" are configured on the server, the port number for desktop sharing changes (for "Remote Login" - 3389, for "Desktop sharing" - 3390).
It is optional to write ":3389" after an IP address, because port 3389 is used by default. But if you connect to remote desktop with another port, you need to write ":3390" after an IP address.
When using Remote Login, you need to log out of your linux machine before connecting.