Set Up RustDesk for Free Remote Desktop

What is RustDesk?

RustDesk is a free, open-source remote desktop application. It lets you control another computer's screen from anywhere — like TeamViewer or AnyDesk, but without the monthly fees, connection time limits, or privacy concerns. You can use RustDesk's free public servers, or self-host your own server for complete control.

It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Written in Rust, it's fast, lightweight, and encrypts all traffic end-to-end.

Step 1. Choose Your Setup

RustDesk has two modes:

• •Quick start (public servers) — download the client, share your ID, and connect instantly. Good for occasional personal use. No setup required.
• •Self-hosted (your own server) — run the RustDesk server on your own machine for better speed, full privacy, and no reliance on third-party infrastructure. Recommended for business use or if you want complete control.

This guide covers both approaches. Start with the quick method, then self-host when you're ready.

Step 2. Install RustDesk (Quick Start)

Download the client for your operating system from rustdesk.com. Install it on both machines — the one you're connecting from and the one you're connecting to.

• •Windows — download the .exe or .msi installer and run it.
• •macOS — download the .dmg, drag to /Applications, and approve in Privacy & Security.
• •Linux — use the AppImage or install via your package manager.
• •Android / iOS — install from Play Store or App Store for viewing on the go.

Step 3. Connect to a Remote Computer

Open RustDesk on the remote computer (the one you want to control). You'll see a 9-digit ID and a one-time password on the main screen.

On your local machine, open RustDesk and enter the remote computer's 9-digit ID in the "Connect to remote computer" field. Click Connect. When prompted, enter the one-time password shown on the remote machine.

That's it — you're now controlling the remote computer. The connection is encrypted end-to-end.

Step 4. Set a Permanent Password

For unattended access (so you can connect without someone at the other end), set a permanent password:

• •On the remote machine, click the menu icon (three dots) next to the one-time password.
• •Select Set permanent password.
• •Choose a strong password. This is your key — treat it like one.
• •Optionally, enable automatic startup so RustDesk launches when the computer boots.

Now you can connect to this machine any time, from anywhere, using the ID and your permanent password.

Step 5. Self-Host the Server (Recommended)

Self-hosting gives you better speed (no public relay) and full privacy (your connections never touch third-party servers). You'll need a Linux server or a machine that stays on.

The easiest way is Docker:

Then configure each RustDesk client to use your server:

• •Open RustDesk and click the menu (three dots) → Settings → Network.
• •Under ID Server, enter your server's IP address or domain.
• •Leave the Key field as-is unless you set a custom key on the server.
• •Click Apply. Your client now uses your private server instead of the public one.

Step 6. Secure Your Setup

• •Use a strong permanent password — long, random, unique. A password manager helps.
• •Access via VPN — pair RustDesk with Tailscale for an extra security layer. Only devices on your Tailscale network can connect.
• •Enable 2FA on the server — the self-hosted server supports additional authentication layers.
• •Limit firewall ports — only open ports 21115-21119 if you're self-hosting. Close them when not needed.