---
title: How to access to the remote desktop of a Mac mini
description: Learn how to access a Mac mini using remote desktop clients on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
tags: apple-silicon connection mac-mini mac-mini
dates:
  validation: 2026-02-18
  posted: 2021-05-26
---
import Requirements from '@macros/iam/requirements.mdx'

import image from './assets/scaleway-apple-silicon-remote-desktop.webp'
import image2 from './assets/scaleway-m1-remote-desktop.webp'


This guide provides detailed instructions on how to access your [Mac mini](/apple-silicon/concepts/#mac-mini) using remote desktop clients.

The macOS on your Mac mini uses the VNC protocol with additional Apple-specific enhancements to provide a remote desktop access.
Remote desktop allows you to visualize the graphical screen output of a remote computer and interact with it using your local keyboard and mouse.
The VNC protocol is platform-independent, supporting Linux, Windows, and macOS, ensuring a seamless connection experience regardless of your operating system.

<Message type="important">
  [Enabling FileVault](/apple-silicon/faq/#can-i-enable-filevault-on-a-hosted-mac-mini) on a Mac encrypts the disk, preventing remote connections, such as Remote Desktop or SSH, until the FileVault security key or user password is entered. This requires physical access to the machine, making remote management unavailable until unlocked.
</Message>

<Requirements />
- A Scaleway account logged into the [console](https://console.scaleway.com)
- [Owner](/iam/concepts/#owner) status or [IAM permissions](/iam/concepts/#permission) allowing actions in the intended Organization
- An [SSH key](/organizations-and-projects/how-to/create-ssh-key/)
- A [Mac mini](/apple-silicon/how-to/create-mac-mini/) running macOS

## Accessing the remote desktop

<Message type="important">
  The VNC port on Mac mini systems is **randomly assigned** during system installation and may therefore be different from the default VNC port 5900. To connect successfully via VNC, use the specific port shown in the **Overview** section of your Mac mini’s configuration.
  For manual connections, ensure that the port from the **Overview** section is correctly entered in your VNC client settings, as this is necessary for a successful connection.
</Message>

<Accordion>

  ## Accessing the remote desktop from a macOS client

  If your local machine runs macOS, you can use the Scaleway console to connect to your Mac mini using the built-in Apple ARD client.

  1. Click **Apple silicon** in the **Bare Metal** section of the side menu. A list of your Mac minis displays.
  2. Click the Mac mini you want to connect to. The **Overview** page of your Mac mini displays.
  3. Click **Open remote desktop** in the **Access remote desktop from macOS ①** section to launch Apple's built-in screen sharing client for a seamless remote desktop experience.
    <Lightbox image={image} alt="Scaleway Apple silicon remote desktop selector" />

    Once your screen displays in your remote desktop client, log in to the graphical environment of macOS using the remote user and your password (available on the **Overview** page of your Mac mini).

  <Message type="note">
    macOS may ask for your password once logged into the remote desktop session. Change the keyboard layout of macOS to your computer's local keyboard layout before entering the password. Click "U.S. keyboard" in the top right corner to display a list of all available keyboard layouts.
  </Message>

  You are now logged in and can use your Mac mini as if you were physically present.

  <Lightbox image={image2} alt="Scaleway remote desktop" />
</Accordion>

<Accordion>

  ## Accessing the remote desktop from a Windows client

  If your local machine runs Windows, you will need to install a remote desktop client to access the remote desktop of the Mac mini.

  1. Click **Apple silicon** in the **Bare Metal** section of the side menu. A list of your Mac minis displays.
  2. Click the Mac mini you want to connect to. The **Overview** page of your Mac mini displays.
  3. Configure your remote desktop client for Windows for the connection. We suggest using one of these two remote desktop clients:
    <Message type="note">
      These clients are free versions of commercially supported solutions and may have usage restrictions.
    </Message>

    - **Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager:**
      - Download [Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager](https://devolutions.net/remote-desktop-manager/)
      - Download .NET Desktop Runtime if needed
      - Open Remote Desktop Manager
      - Click **+** and **New Entry**
      - Choose **ARD**
      - Enter the Mac mini's IP address in the **Host** field. Then, specify the port in the **Port** field, along with your username and password (located in the console).
      - Open the session

    - **RealVNC:**
      - Download [RealVNC Viewer](https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/)
      - Open RealVNC Viewer (no sign-in required)
      - Click **File** and **New Connection**
      - In the **VNC Server** field, enter the Mac mini's IP address followed by the port (e.g., `192.168.1.100:5901`), then create the connection.
      - Go back to the dashboard and find the Mac mini remote desktop in the Address book
      - Open the remote desktop with the username and password (found in the console)


</Accordion>

<Accordion>

  ## Accessing the remote desktop from a Linux client

  If your local machine runs Linux, you will need to install a remote desktop client to access the remote desktop of the Mac mini.

  1. Click **Apple silicon** in the **Bare Metal** section of the side menu. A list of your Mac minis displays.
  2. Click the Mac mini you want to connect to. The **Overview** page of your Mac mini displays.
  3. Configure your remote desktop client for the connection. We suggest using one of these two remote desktop clients:
      - **Remmina:**
        - [Download and install Remmina](https://remmina.org/), if necessary.
          <Message type="tip">
            Remmina is included in most Linux distributions by default.
          </Message>
        - Open Remmina and click the **+** icon in the top left to create a new quick connection.
        - Enter the following parameters:
          - **Protocol**: Remmina VNC Plugin
          - **Server**: Your Mac mini's public IP address (found on its **Overview** page in the Scaleway console), followed by the port number, separated by a colon  (e.g., `192.168.1.100:5901`).
          - **Username**:  The remote desktop password of your Mac mini, available on its **Overview** page in the Scaleway console.
          - **Password**: The remote desktop password of your Mac mini, displayed on its **Overview** page in the Scaleway console.
          - **Color depth**: High color (16 bpp) or better, otherwise the connection will fail.
        - Click **Save and connect** to save these settings for future use and launch a connection to your Mac mini.
        - You can now log in to the graphical environment of macOS using the user and the remote desktop password displayed in your Scaleway console.
          <Message type="tip">
            Once Remmina is installed and set up, you can connect to the remote desktop directly by clicking the **remote desktop** button in the console.
          </Message>

      - **Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager:**
        - Download [Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager](https://devolutions.net/remote-desktop-manager/)
        - Download .NET Desktop Runtime if needed
        - Open Remote Desktop Manager
        - Click **+** and **New Entry**
        - Choose **ARD**
        - Enter the Mac mini's IP address in the **Host** field. Then, specify the port in the **Port** field, along with your username and password (located in the console).
        - Open the session

</Accordion>

<Accordion>

## Comparison matrix of remote desktop clients

Below is a matrix comparing features of the free versions of various remote desktop clients:

| Client                              | Compatible OS               | Copy and paste                                    | Audio streaming<sup>*</sup> | Security/Tunneling mode                              | High-quality compatibility | Display responsiveness  |
|-------------------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------|
| ARD (integrated)                    | macOS                      | Yes (except for password)                          | No                          | Automatic security/tunneling                        | High                       | High                    |
| RealVNC                             | Windows, Linux, macOS      | Partial (some issues)                              | No (not available in free version) | Manual tunnel required | Low                        | Low (not recommended)   |
| Remmina                             | Linux                      | Yes (manual, only from local to server)           | No                          | Manual tunnel required                              | Low                        | Low                     |
| Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager  | Windows, Linux, macOS      | Yes                                               | No                          | Requires additional setup (SSH tunnel)              | Low                        | Medium                  |

<sup>*</sup> These remote desktop clients do not support audio streaming. If you need audio streaming, we recommend using [Reemo](/tutorials/access-mac-mini-with-reemo/). To configure the connection with Reemo, use a VNC connection. We suggest setting up another VNC connection with this remote desktop client before configuring Reemo.

</Accordion>

<Message type="tip">
  If you encounter issues connecting to the remote desktop of your Mac mini, refer to our documentation on [Troubleshooting remote desktop connections to Mac mini servers](/apple-silicon/troubleshooting/cant-connect-using-vnc/).
</Message>

<Message type="note">
  Mac mini and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used by Apple under license. Scaleway is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
</Message>