AnyDesk Linux: Complete Remote Desktop Solution Guide for Linux Users

AnyDesk is a powerful cross-platform remote desktop application that enables users to access computers remotely over the internet. For Linux users, AnyDesk provides a reliable solution for remote work, technical support, and system administration tasks. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about installing, configuring, and using AnyDesk on Linux systems.

What is AnyDesk?

AnyDesk is a proprietary remote desktop software developed by AnyDesk Software GmbH. It uses a custom video codec called DeskRT, which provides high-quality video transmission with low latency. Unlike many remote desktop solutions, AnyDesk works seamlessly across different operating systems and doesn’t require complex network configuration in most cases.

Key Features of AnyDesk for Linux

• Cross-platform compatibility – Connect between Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
• High performance – Optimized for low bandwidth and high-quality video
• Easy setup – No complex router or firewall configuration required
• File transfer – Seamless file sharing between connected devices
• Session recording – Record remote sessions for documentation
• Multiple monitor support – Handle multi-screen setups effectively
• Clipboard synchronization – Copy and paste between local and remote systems

System Requirements

Before installing AnyDesk on your Linux system, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Minimum Requirements

• Operating System: Linux kernel 2.6.18 or higher
• Architecture: x86_64 (64-bit) or i386 (32-bit)
• RAM: 512 MB minimum, 1 GB recommended
• Disk Space: 50 MB free space
• Network: Internet connection (broadband recommended)
• Display: X11 display server

Supported Linux Distributions

• Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and newer
• Debian 9 and newer
• CentOS 7 and newer
• RHEL 7 and newer
• Fedora 28 and newer
• openSUSE Leap 15.0 and newer
• Arch Linux
• Manjaro

Installation Methods

AnyDesk can be installed on Linux systems using several methods. Choose the one that best suits your distribution and preferences.

Method 1: Using Official Repository (Recommended)

For Debian/Ubuntu Systems

First, add the AnyDesk repository to your system:

# Add the repository key
wget -qO - https://keys.anydesk.com/repos/DEB-GPG-KEY | apt-key add -

# Add the repository
echo "deb http://deb.anydesk.com/ all main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/anydesk-stable.list

# Update package list
sudo apt update

# Install AnyDesk
sudo apt install anydesk

For CentOS/RHEL/Fedora Systems

Create a repository file and install AnyDesk:

# Create repository file
sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/AnyDesk-CentOS.repo <

Method 2: Manual Package Installation

If you prefer to download and install packages manually:

For Debian/Ubuntu (.deb package)

# Download the package
wget https://download.anydesk.com/linux/anydesk_6.3.0-1_amd64.deb

# Install the package
sudo dpkg -i anydesk_6.3.0-1_amd64.deb

# Fix any dependency issues
sudo apt-get install -f

For CentOS/RHEL/Fedora (.rpm package)

# Download the package
wget https://download.anydesk.com/linux/anydesk-6.3.0-1.x86_64.rpm

# Install the package
sudo rpm -ivh anydesk-6.3.0-1.x86_64.rpm

Method 3: Using Snap Package

For systems with Snap support:

# Install AnyDesk via Snap
sudo snap install anydesk

First-Time Setup and Configuration

After installation, you’ll need to configure AnyDesk for your specific needs.

Initial Launch

Launch AnyDesk from the applications menu or command line:

# Launch from terminal
anydesk

Upon first launch, AnyDesk will display your unique AnyDesk ID, which looks like a 9-digit number (e.g., 123 456 789). This ID is used to connect to your computer remotely.

Setting Up Unattended Access

For permanent remote access without user intervention:

1. Open AnyDesk and click on the settings gear icon
2. Navigate to the “Security” tab
3. Enable “Enable unattended access”
4. Set a strong password for unattended access
5. Optionally, set a custom alias instead of the numeric ID

Configuring Permissions

Set appropriate permissions for remote connections:

• Allow control of keyboard and mouse – Enable remote control
• Allow file transfer – Enable file sharing capabilities
• Allow audio transmission – Enable sound forwarding
• Allow clipboard synchronization – Enable copy/paste functionality

Using AnyDesk for Remote Connections

Connecting to Another Computer

To connect to a remote computer:

1. Launch AnyDesk on your local machine
2. Enter the remote computer’s AnyDesk ID in the “Remote Desk” field
3. Click “Connect”
4. Wait for the remote user to accept the connection or enter the unattended access password

Accepting Incoming Connections

When someone tries to connect to your computer:

1. AnyDesk will display a connection request dialog
2. Review the incoming connection details
3. Choose the appropriate permission level
4. Click “Accept” to allow the connection

File Transfer Operations

AnyDesk provides built-in file transfer capabilities:

During an Active Session

1. Click the file transfer icon in the AnyDesk toolbar
2. Navigate to the files you want to transfer
3. Drag and drop files between local and remote file browsers
4. Monitor transfer progress in the transfer window

Using Command Line File Transfer

# Transfer a file to remote computer
anydesk --file-transfer /path/to/local/file.txt 123456789:/remote/path/

# Transfer from remote to local
anydesk --file-transfer 123456789:/remote/file.txt /local/path/

Advanced Configuration Options

Network and Performance Settings

Optimize AnyDesk for your network conditions:

Quality Settings

• Speed: Prioritizes responsiveness over image quality
• Balanced: Good compromise between speed and quality
• Quality: Maximum image quality, higher bandwidth usage
• Reaction time: Optimized for real-time applications

Bandwidth Optimization

# Set custom quality via command line
anydesk --quality speed

# Limit bandwidth usage
anydesk --max-bandwidth 1000  # Limit to 1000 kbps

Security Configuration

Setting Up Whitelist

Restrict connections to specific AnyDesk IDs:

1. Open Settings → Security
2. Enable “Only allow connections from users on the whitelist”
3. Add trusted AnyDesk IDs to the whitelist

Two-Factor Authentication

Enable additional security for your AnyDesk account:

1. Create an AnyDesk account at my.anydesk.com
2. Link your AnyDesk client to your account
3. Enable two-factor authentication in account settings
4. Use authenticator app for additional security

Command Line Usage

AnyDesk provides extensive command-line functionality for automation and scripting:

Basic Commands

# Connect to a remote computer
anydesk 123456789

# Start AnyDesk in service mode
anydesk --service

# Get current AnyDesk ID
anydesk --get-id

# Set custom alias
anydesk --set-alias "MyLinuxServer"

# Start with specific settings
anydesk --plain --quality speed --view-only

Service Management

# Start AnyDesk service
sudo systemctl start anydesk

# Enable automatic startup
sudo systemctl enable anydesk

# Check service status
sudo systemctl status anydesk

# Restart service
sudo systemctl restart anydesk

Configuration File Management

AnyDesk stores configuration in specific locations:

# System-wide configuration
/etc/anydesk/

# User-specific configuration
~/.anydesk/

# View current configuration
anydesk --config

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Connection Problems

Cannot Connect to Remote Computer

Symptoms: Connection timeout or “Desk is not available” error

Solutions:

• Verify the remote AnyDesk ID is correct
• Check internet connectivity on both ends
• Ensure AnyDesk is running on the remote computer
• Check firewall settings

# Test network connectivity
ping anydesk.com

# Check if AnyDesk is running
ps aux | grep anydesk

# Restart AnyDesk service
sudo systemctl restart anydesk

Poor Performance or Lag

Solutions:

• Adjust quality settings to prioritize speed
• Close unnecessary applications
• Check network bandwidth
• Update AnyDesk to the latest version

# Monitor network usage
iftop

# Check system resources
htop

# Update AnyDesk
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade anydesk

Audio and Display Issues

No Audio Transmission

Solutions:

• Enable audio transmission in settings
• Check audio system compatibility
• Verify ALSA/PulseAudio configuration

# Check audio systems
pulseaudio --check -v
aplay -l

# Restart audio services
pulseaudio --kill
pulseaudio --start

Display Problems

Common issues and solutions:

• Black screen: Check X11 permissions and display settings
• Multiple monitors: Configure display settings in AnyDesk
• Resolution problems: Adjust remote display settings

# Check X11 display
echo $DISPLAY
xrandr --listmonitors

# Fix X11 permissions
xhost +local:

Installation and Dependency Issues

Missing Dependencies

Install required libraries:

# For Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install libgtkglext1 libxss1 libxrandr2 libasound2

# For CentOS/RHEL
sudo yum install gtk2 libXss libXrandr alsa-lib

# For Fedora
sudo dnf install gtk2-devel libXScrnSaver libXrandr alsa-lib

Security Best Practices

Network Security

• Use strong passwords: Set complex passwords for unattended access
• Enable whitelist: Restrict connections to known AnyDesk IDs
• Regular updates: Keep AnyDesk updated to the latest version
• Monitor connections: Review connection logs regularly

System Security

# Set proper file permissions
sudo chmod 644 /etc/anydesk/*
sudo chown root:root /etc/anydesk/*

# Enable logging
anydesk --log-level debug

# Monitor AnyDesk logs
tail -f ~/.anydesk/ad.trace

Firewall Configuration

Configure firewall rules for AnyDesk:

# UFW (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo ufw allow out 80,443,6568/tcp

# iptables
sudo iptables -A OUTPUT -p tcp --dport 80,443,6568 -j ACCEPT

# firewalld (CentOS/RHEL/Fedora)
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=6568/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Performance Optimization

System-Level Optimizations

Optimize your Linux system for better AnyDesk performance:

# Increase network buffer sizes
echo 'net.core.rmem_max = 16777216' >> /etc/sysctl.conf
echo 'net.core.wmem_max = 16777216' >> /etc/sysctl.conf

# Apply changes
sudo sysctl -p

# Optimize X11 for remote access
echo 'Section "Extensions"
    Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection' >> /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/99-anydesk.conf

AnyDesk-Specific Optimizations

# Create performance configuration
mkdir -p ~/.anydesk
cat > ~/.anydesk/system.conf << EOF
[General]
Quality=Speed
ColorReduction=true
RemoteAudio=false
FrameSkipping=true
EOF

Integration with System Administration

Automated Deployment

Deploy AnyDesk across multiple Linux systems:

#!/bin/bash
# anydesk-deploy.sh

# Add repository and install
curl -fsSL https://keys.anydesk.com/repos/DEB-GPG-KEY | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb http://deb.anydesk.com/ all main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/anydesk-stable.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y anydesk

# Configure unattended access
echo "ad.security.unattended_password_set=true" >> /etc/anydesk/system.conf
echo "ad.security.unattended_password=YourSecurePassword" >> /etc/anydesk/system.conf

# Start and enable service
sudo systemctl enable anydesk
sudo systemctl start anydesk

Monitoring and Logging

Set up comprehensive logging for AnyDesk:

# Create logging configuration
sudo tee /etc/anydesk/logging.conf << EOF
[Logging]
LogLevel=info
LogFile=/var/log/anydesk.log
MaxLogSize=10485760
MaxLogFiles=5
EOF

# Set up log rotation
sudo tee /etc/logrotate.d/anydesk << EOF
/var/log/anydesk.log {
    daily
    rotate 7
    compress
    delaycompress
    missingok
    notifempty
    postrotate
        systemctl reload anydesk
    endscript
}
EOF

Comparison with Alternatives

AnyDesk vs. TeamViewer

AnyDesk vs. VNC

Conclusion

AnyDesk provides a robust and user-friendly remote desktop solution for Linux users. Its ease of installation, cross-platform compatibility, and excellent performance make it an ideal choice for both personal and professional use. By following this comprehensive guide, you can successfully install, configure, and optimize AnyDesk for your specific needs.

Whether you’re providing technical support, accessing your home computer from work, or managing remote servers, AnyDesk’s feature-rich platform ensures reliable and secure remote desktop access. Regular updates, proper security configuration, and performance optimization will help you get the most out of this powerful remote desktop solution.

Remember to always follow security best practices, keep your software updated, and monitor your remote connections to maintain a secure and efficient remote desktop environment. With proper setup and configuration, AnyDesk can significantly enhance your remote work capabilities and system administration tasks on Linux platforms.