Connect from Linux

Introduction

From Linux you’ll use a VNC client for the macOS desktop and OpenSSH for the terminal — both already available in most distributions.

How it works

• Desktop: Remmina (VNC plugin) or TigerVNC connecting to port 59010.
• Terminal: OpenSSH on port 22, authenticating with your username plus a password or SSH key.

Examples

Desktop with VNC

1. Install a client, e.g. sudo apt install remmina remmina-plugin-vnc or sudo apt install tigervnc-viewer.
2. Connect to YOUR-IP:59010 using the VNC protocol.
3. Authenticate with your username and password.

With TigerVNC from the command line:

vncviewer YOUR-IP:59010

Terminal with SSH

# password
ssh your-username@YOUR-IP

# key
ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 your-username@YOUR-IP

Deploy the key first

A key only works if it’s on your profile and selected when the instance is created. Add it at app.myremotemac.com/security (you can set it as default), then pick it during instance creation — see SSH keys.

Save a shortcut in ~/.ssh/config:

Host mymac
  HostName YOUR-IP
  User your-username
  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

The username is mandatory

For both password and key login, connect as your-username@YOUR-IP. Without the username, SSH uses your local Linux username, which doesn’t exist on the Mac, and the connection is refused.

Too many wrong attempts? You may be banned

fail2ban bans your IP for 1 hour after 5 failed logins within 10 minutes (SSH and VNC). See Security.

File transfer

# copy a file to the Mac
scp ./build.zip your-username@YOUR-IP:~/

# sync a folder
rsync -avz ./project/ your-username@YOUR-IP:~/project/

More in File transfer.

FAQ

Which port is the macOS desktop on?

Port 59010 over VNC (e.g. vncviewer YOUR-IP:59010), not the default 5900 — this reduces brute-force attacks.

Do I always need to pass my username?

Yes, for both password and key login: ssh your-username@YOUR-IP. Omitting it gets you refused because SSH would use your local username.