Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu 20.04: Best Remote Desktop

In this guide, we want to teach you how to Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu 20.04. TeamViewer is without a doubt one of the best remote-access solutions/best remote desktop software programs on the market. It enables users to access devices remotely, providing support or controlling said devices from a different location. It’s available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and various other operating systems for free.

You can now proceed to the following steps on the Orcacore website to start your Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu 20.04.

To compete with Install TeamViewer on Ubuntu 20.04, you must log in to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. To do this, you can follow our guide on Initial Server Setup with Ubuntu 20.04.

1. TeamViewer Setup on Ubuntu 20.04

First, you need to update your local package index with the following command:

sudo apt update

TeamViewer Download

Then, you need to add the TeamViewer deb package to your server. To do this, you can use the wget command:

sudo wget https://download.teamviewer.com/download/linux/teamviewer_amd64.deb

When your TeamViewer download is completed, you can install your TeamViewer package.

Install TeamViewer Remote Desktop Tool

sudo apt install ./teamviewer_amd64.deb

2. Run TeamViewer Application

At this point, you can run your TeamViewer app by going to the Application launcher or in the terminal type- teamviewer.

Accept the License Agreement by checking the box saying “I accept the EULA and DPA”. After that click on the Continue button.

Access Remote System

If you want to access some remote system then enter the Partner ID and password generated on the Teamviewer running on the remote system that you want to access.

Whereas, if you want to give access to your computer to someone, then provide him the Partner ID and password on your screen.

After connecting to a computer using TeamViewer on Ubuntu, the menu item “Actions” is available in the menu area at the top of the screen.

You can use this to send keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+Alt+End to the remote PC, restart the computer and even switch to safe mode.

In addition, keystrokes from the remote PC can be blocked and notes can be transferred. The notes are pinned to the desktop of the remote PC.

For more information, you can check the Official website.

3. Uninstall TeamViewer From Ubuntu 20.04

If you no longer need TeamViewer, you can easily use the following command to remove it:

sudo apt remove teamviewer

Also, you can remove the App repo by using the command below:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/teamviewer.list

Conclusion

At this point, you have learned to Install Teamviewer Remote Desktop Tool on Ubuntu 20.04. It has a straightforward process that allows you to securely connect to remote systems for support or collaboration. Hope you enjoy it. You may also like these articles:

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FAQs

Alternative Solutions for Remote Desktop on Ubuntu 20.04

While TeamViewer is a popular and user-friendly option for remote desktop access, several other solutions exist that may be more suitable depending on your needs and technical expertise. Here are two alternative methods for achieving remote desktop functionality on Ubuntu 20.04:

1. Using SSH and X11 Forwarding

SSH (Secure Shell) is a secure protocol used for remote access to a computer. X11 forwarding allows you to run graphical applications on a remote server and display them on your local machine. This method is particularly useful for developers and system administrators who need to access specific applications rather than a full desktop environment.

Explanation:

• SSH: Provides a secure, encrypted connection between your local machine and the remote Ubuntu server.
• X11 Forwarding: Extends the SSH connection to forward graphical application output from the server to your local X server (the display manager on your desktop). This allows you to run GUI applications on the remote machine and see their windows on your local desktop.

Steps:

1. Install SSH Server on the Ubuntu 20.04 machine:

   If you don’t already have it, install the OpenSSH server on the Ubuntu machine you want to access remotely:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install openssh-server

2. Enable X11 Forwarding (if necessary):

   Edit the SSH server configuration file:

   sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

   Find the line X11Forwarding no and change it to X11Forwarding yes. If the line is commented out (starts with #), remove the # to uncomment it.

   Save the file and restart the SSH service:

   sudo systemctl restart ssh

3. Connect from your local machine:

   On your local machine (Linux, macOS, or Windows with an SSH client like PuTTY), connect to the remote server with X11 forwarding enabled using the -X flag:

   ssh -X username@remote_server_ip

   Replace username with your username on the remote server and remote_server_ip with the server’s IP address or hostname.

4. Run a graphical application:

   Once connected, you can run any graphical application on the remote server, and it will be displayed on your local machine. For example:

   gedit

   This will launch the gedit text editor on the remote server, but its window will appear on your local desktop.

Code Example:

This isn’t a code example in the traditional sense, but rather the SSH command used to establish the connection with X11 forwarding.

ssh -X username@remote_server_ip

Advantages:

• Security: SSH provides a secure, encrypted connection.
• Resource Efficiency: Only the application window is transmitted, reducing bandwidth usage compared to a full desktop environment.
• No Installation on Client: You only need an SSH client, which is often pre-installed on most operating systems.

Disadvantages:

• Application-Specific: Primarily designed for running individual applications, not a full desktop.
• Performance: Can be slower than other remote desktop solutions, especially over high-latency connections.
• Configuration: Requires some understanding of SSH and X11 forwarding.

2. Using VNC (Virtual Network Computing)

VNC is a graphical desktop sharing system that allows you to remotely control the entire desktop environment of a server. It’s a popular alternative to TeamViewer, offering similar functionality.

Explanation:

• VNC Server: Runs on the remote Ubuntu machine and creates a virtual display. It captures the screen output and sends it to the VNC client.
• VNC Client: Runs on your local machine and connects to the VNC server. It displays the remote desktop and transmits your keyboard and mouse input back to the server.

Steps:

1. Install a VNC Server on the Ubuntu 20.04 machine:

   There are several VNC servers available. TigerVNC is a popular and well-maintained option:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install tigervnc-standalone-server tigervnc-common

2. Set a VNC Password:

   Run the vncpasswd command to set a password for accessing the VNC server. This password will be required when connecting from the VNC client.

   vncpasswd

3. Configure the VNC Server:

   Create a configuration file for the VNC server. First, stop the server if it’s running:

   vncserver -kill :1

   Then, create the ~/.vnc/xstartup file and make it executable:

   nano ~/.vnc/xstartup
   chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

   Add the following content to the xstartup file (this example uses XFCE as the desktop environment – install it if you haven’t already: sudo apt install xfce4):

   #!/bin/sh
   
   unset SESSION_MANAGER
   unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
   
   [ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
   [ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
   
   startxfce4 &

4. Start the VNC Server:

   Start the VNC server, specifying a display number (e.g., :1):

   vncserver :1

   This will start the VNC server on display :1. The full address you’ll use to connect will be remote_server_ip:5901 (5900 + display number).

5. Connect from your local machine:

   Install a VNC client on your local machine (e.g., TigerVNC Viewer, RealVNC Viewer). Connect to the remote server using the IP address and display number (e.g., remote_server_ip:5901). You’ll be prompted for the VNC password you set earlier.

Code Example:

Similar to the SSH example, the key command here is the one to start the VNC server:

vncserver :1

Advantages:

• Full Desktop Access: Provides access to the entire desktop environment.
• Cross-Platform: VNC clients are available for various operating systems.
• Relatively Easy to Set Up: While requiring more steps than TeamViewer, the configuration is generally straightforward.

Disadvantages:

• Security: VNC itself is not encrypted by default. It’s recommended to tunnel the VNC connection over SSH for security.
• Performance: Can be slower than X11 forwarding, especially over high-latency connections.
• Resource Intensive: Consumes more resources on the server than X11 forwarding, as it’s running a full desktop environment.

By exploring these alternative solutions, you can find the remote access method that best fits your technical skills, security requirements, and performance needs on your Ubuntu 20.04 system. Remember to prioritize security by using strong passwords and, ideally, tunneling connections through SSH.