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.
How to access to the remote desktop of a Mac mini
This guide provides detailed instructions on how to access your 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.
Before you start
To complete the actions presented below, you must have:
- A Scaleway account logged into the console
- Owner status or IAM permissions allowing actions in the intended Organization
- An SSH key
- A Mac mini
Accessing the remote desktop
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.
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Click Apple silicon in the Bare Metal section of the side menu. A list of your Mac minis displays.
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Click the Mac mini you want to connect to. The Overview page of your Mac mini displays.
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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.
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).
Note
You are now logged in and can use your Mac mini as if you were physically present.
If your local machine runs Windows, you will need to install a remote desktop client to access the remote desktop of the Mac mini.
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Click Apple silicon in the Bare Metal section of the side menu. A list of your Mac minis displays.
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Click the Mac mini you want to connect to. The Overview page of your Mac mini displays.
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Configure your remote desktop client for Windows for the connection. We suggest using one of these two remote desktop clients:
NoteThese clients are free versions of commercially supported solutions and may have usage restrictions.
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RealVNC:
- Download RealVNC Viewer
- Open RealVNC Viewer (no sign-in required)
- Click File and New Connection
- Enter the IP address of the Mac mini in the “VNC server” field and 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)
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Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager:
- Download Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager
- Download .NET Desktop Runtime if needed
- Open Remote Desktop Manager
- Click + and New Entry
- Choose ARD
- Enter the IP address of the Mac mini in the “Host” field, the username, and the password (found in the console)
- Open the session
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If your local machine runs Linux, you will need to install a remote desktop client to access the remote desktop of the Mac mini.
- Click Apple silicon in the Bare Metal section of the side menu. A list of your Mac minis displays.
- Click the Mac mini you want to connect to. The Overview page of your Mac mini displays.
- Configure your remote desktop client for the connection. We suggest using one of these two remote desktop clients:
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Remmina:
- Download and install Remmina, if necessary.
Tip
Remmina is included in most Linux distributions by default.
- 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: The public IP address of your Mac mini, found on its Overview page in the Scaleway console.
- 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.
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.
- Download and install Remmina, if necessary.
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Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager:
- Download Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager
- Download .NET Desktop Runtime if needed
- Open Remote Desktop Manager
- Click + and New Entry
- Choose ARD
- Enter the IP address of the Mac mini in the “Host” field, the username, and the password (found in the console)
- Open the session
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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.
Comparison matrix of remote desktop clients
Below is a matrix to compare the different features of the free versions of these remote desktop clients:
Client | Compatible OS | Copy & Paste | Streaming Audio* | Security/Tunneling Mode | High Quality Compatibility | Display Responsiveness |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARD (integrated) | macOS | ✅ (except for password) | ❌ | ✅ auto | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
RealVNC | Windows, Linux, macOS | 〰️ (some issues) | ❌ (not with free version) | ❌ (manual tunnel) | ❌ | ⭐ (not recommended) |
Remmina | Linux | ✅ (manual, only from local to server) | ❌ | ❌ (manual tunnel) | ❌ | ⭐ |
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager | Windows, Linux, macOS | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (requires additional setup - SSH tunnel) | ❌ | ⭐⭐ |
* These remote desktop clients don’t allow audio streaming. If you need audio streaming, we recommend using Reemo. You need to configure the connection with Reemo using a VNC connection. We recommend first setup an other VNC connection and using this remote desktop client to then configure Reemo.
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.