Can I remotely access my Mac from Linux using screen sharing?

I like to access my Mac from work (Linux) and I wonder if it is possible without installing additional software like TeamViewer or ChickenVNC. I also noticed somewhere that it is possible to wake my Mac via WiFi. What is needed for that (Mac has to be plugged in? Do I have to be in the same Network?) and how do I do it?


You can take either one of the following two approach:

1. VNC

This is pretty simple, you'll need to go to System Preferences → Screen Sharing and then click on Computer Settings. From there you can select VNC viewers may control screen with password: and supply a password.

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2. Wi-Fi Wakeup

Go to System Preferences → Energy Saver. You can only do this with the Mac running on power (if it's a portable). You'll need to enable an option tick called Wake for Wi-Fi network access.

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OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 Problem

If you're running this release of OS X Mountain Lion, you may find this doesn't work.

Q:

No Wake-on-LAN possible since updating to ML

Hi everybody,

since updating from OS X 10.7 to 10.8 (clean install), Wake-on-LAN does not work anymore. Setup: Mac mini (Early 2011) connected to Time Capsule (2nd gen) via devolo dLAN. Mac mini goes to sleep after 30 minutes and eventually disappears from the network. Sending Wake-On-LAN packets or using Back To My Mac fail, it simply won't wake up.

Wake-on-LAN worked smoothly under 10.7 after some problems. Any ideas?

Thanks and regards

Steffen

However, OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3 fixed this.


Ubuntu has community wiki guide for the matter https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AppleRemoteDesktop

Setting up the Mac to be Accessed Remotely

On the Mac:

  1. Open System Preferences (it's in the Apple menu)
  2. Open the Sharing panel
  3. Check the box Apple Remote Desktop
  4. Click Access Privileges
  5. Check the box VNC viewers may control screen with password, and enter a password
  6. Click OK

Accessing the Mac From Ubuntu

On Ubuntu:

  1. Launch Remmina Remote Desktop Client
  2. Select Connection > New from menu
  3. Select VNC - Virtual Network Computing as Protocol
  4. Fill Server field with either IP address or hostname of the Mac
  5. Optionally fill both User name and Password to make Remmina remember Your credentials
  6. IMPORTANT: Set Color depth to High color (15 bit) or better, otherwise connection will fail
  7. Click Connect (or Save to reuse it later)

Your Mac's desktop should appear on your screen.