Discover the new version of Raspberry Pi Connect

The latest update to Raspberry Pi OS introduces a brand-new native control panel plugin for Raspberry Pi Connect, our secure remote access solution that lets you connect to your Raspberry Pi's GUI and command line directly from your web browser.

Since the launch of our public beta with screen sharing in May, and the addition of remote shell access and support for older Raspberry Pi devices in June, we've been working to improve compatibility and performance on as many Raspberry Pi models as possible - from the Raspberry Pi Zero to the Raspberry Pi 5 - whether with Raspberry Pi OS Desktop or its Lite version.

Easy activation of Raspberry Pi Connect

By default, Raspberry Pi Connect is installed but disabled. It only becomes active for the current user if you choose "Activate Raspberry Pi Connect from the menu bar, or by executing the command rpi-connect on in the terminal.

If this is your first time using the service, activation via the menu bar will open your browser to register for a free Raspberry Pi Connect account. Alternatively, you can run rpi-connect signin in the terminal to obtain a unique URL that you can open on any device. Once registered and logged in, you can access your device either via screen sharing (if you're using Raspberry Pi OS Desktop), or via the remote shell from your browser on any computer.

You can stop and deactivate the service for your user at any time by choosing "Disable Raspberry Pi Connect or by performing rpi-connect off from the terminal.

New diagnostic tool : rpi-connect doctor

With the latest version 2.1.0 (available via software update), we now include a new command rpi-connect doctor which runs a series of connectivity tests to verify that the service can establish connections correctly. We do our best to ensure that you can connect to your device without having to change network settings or open ports in your firewall. But if you encounter any problems, run the command as follows:

$ rpi-connect doctor
✓ Communication with Raspberry Pi Connect API
✓ Authentication with Raspberry Pi Connect API
✓ Peer-to-peer connection candidate via STUN
✓ Peer-to-peer connection candidate via TURN

Documentation and support

Full documentation for Raspberry Pi Connect is available on our website, or via man rpi-connect in the terminal when the service is installed on your device.

Practical applications for different trades

The introduction of Raspberry Pi Connect opens up new possibilities for many professionals, facilitating remote access and management of Raspberry Pi devices.

Teachers and Educators

Teachers can use Raspberry Pi Connect to access students' devices during remote lessons, enabling interactive teaching even outside the classroom. They can demonstrate live projects, help students solve technical problems and share screens for better collaboration.

Engineers and Technicians

Engineers can monitor and control embedded systems deployed in the field without having to physically visit the site. Whether for predictive maintenance or software updates, Raspberry Pi Connect offers an efficient solution for managing networks of IoT devices.

System Administrators

System administrators can manage multiple Raspberry Pi devices deployed across an organization, perform updates, troubleshoot problems and ensure system security remotely. Command-line and GUI access greatly simplify management tasks.

Researchers and Scientists

For researchers using Raspberry Pi to collect environmental or scientific data in hard-to-reach locations, Raspberry Pi Connect enables data retrieval and real-time instrument monitoring without having to visit the site.

Artists and Designers

Artists using Raspberry Pi for interactive installations can control and adjust their works remotely, enabling last-minute modifications and simplified maintenance at exhibitions or events.

Hobbyists and Makers

Technology enthusiasts can access their personal projects from anywhere, share their achievements with the online community, and collaborate more easily on open-source projects.

How to get the update

To take advantage of these new features, make sure your system is up to date by running :

sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade

After updating, you can activate Raspberry Pi Connect as described above and start exploring its possibilities.