How To Set Up Remote Access For Your Raspberry Pi Over The Internet

Elenor Bogan 09 Jun 2025

Introduction

Remote access to your Raspberry Pi over the internet has become an essential skill for anyone working on projects that require flexibility and convenience. Whether your Raspberry Pi is embedded in a robot or mounted in an inconvenient location, being able to access it remotely can save you time and effort. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to set up secure remote access to your Raspberry Pi, allowing you to control and manage it from anywhere in the world. Let’s dive in!

Why Remote Access is Important

One of the key features of the Raspberry Pi is its ability to be accessed remotely. This feature allows you to control and manage your Raspberry Pi from another device over the internet. Remote access eliminates the need for a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, making it possible to work on projects and manage your Raspberry Pi without physical access. Whether you're monitoring a project, troubleshooting an issue, or simply updating your system, remote access provides the flexibility you need.

Requirements for Remote Access

Luckily, achieving remote access doesn’t require much hardware. The solutions we’ll discuss today mainly rely on remote desktop software and services. Here’s what you’ll need:

A Raspberry Pi with the Raspberry Pi OS installed.
An active internet connection for both your Raspberry Pi and the device you’ll use to access it.
A basic understanding of networking concepts (optional but helpful).

Methods for Remote Access

There are three main ways to access your Raspberry Pi remotely over the internet:

1. SSH (Secure Shell)

SSH is a widely used method for remote access. It allows you to log into your Raspberry Pi’s command-line interface securely. Here’s how you can set it up:

Ensure that SSH is enabled on your Raspberry Pi. Most Raspberry Pi OS installations include SSH by default.
Find your Raspberry Pi’s local IP address. You can do this by typing `ifconfig` or `ip addr` in the terminal.
From your client device (laptop, phone, etc.), use an SSH client like PuTTY (Windows) or the built-in terminal (macOS/Linux) to connect to your Raspberry Pi’s IP address.

For enhanced security, consider changing the default SSH port and using strong passwords or key-based authentication.

2. VNC (Virtual Network Computing)

VNC allows you to remotely access the desktop environment of your Raspberry Pi. While VNC has traditionally been used for accessing computers on the same network, VNC Connect now enables secure access from anywhere with an internet connection. Here’s how to set it up:

Install the VNC Server on your Raspberry Pi. You can do this by enabling the VNC service in the Raspberry Pi Configuration menu.
Download and install the VNC Viewer app on your client device.
Log in to the VNC Connect portal and follow the instructions to connect your Raspberry Pi to the cloud.
Use the VNC Viewer app to access your Raspberry Pi’s desktop environment from anywhere.

VNC is especially useful if you need to interact with graphical applications on your Raspberry Pi.

3. Third-Party Services

There are several third-party services that simplify remote access to your Raspberry Pi. One such service is RemoteIoT. Here’s how you can use it:

Open the terminal on your Raspberry Pi or access it via SSH on the local network.
Install the RemoteIoT service by following the instructions provided on their website.
Once installed, open the RemoteIoT portal and log in with your credentials.
From the portal, you can access your Raspberry Pi’s terminal, monitor its status, and create tunnels to any network services running on your Raspberry Pi.

Third-party services often provide additional features like monitoring and automation, making them a great choice for advanced users.

Enhancing Security for Remote Access

Security should always be a top priority when setting up remote access. Here are some tips to enhance the security of your Raspberry Pi:

Use strong passwords: Avoid using default passwords and choose complex passwords that are difficult to guess.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): If your remote access solution supports 2FA, enable it to add an extra layer of security.
Change default ports: Change the default SSH port (22) to a less common port to reduce the risk of automated attacks.
Regularly update your system: Keep your Raspberry Pi OS and all installed software up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
Use a firewall: Configure a firewall to restrict access to only the necessary ports and IP addresses.

Can You Use Mobile Data to Access Your Raspberry Pi?

Yes, you can use your mobile data connection to access your Raspberry Pi. Ensure that your client device (laptop, phone, etc.) is connected to the internet through mobile data. As long as your Raspberry Pi is also connected to the internet, you should be able to access it remotely using any of the methods discussed above.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve covered the basics of setting up remote access for your Raspberry Pi over the internet. Whether you choose SSH for command-line access, VNC for remote desktop access, or a third-party service for additional features, there are many options available to suit your needs. Remember to prioritize security when setting up remote access to protect your Raspberry Pi from unauthorized access.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can now access your Raspberry Pi projects from anywhere, monitor its status, and manage it remotely. This flexibility allows you to work on your projects without the need for physical access, making your Raspberry Pi an even more powerful tool for innovation and exploration.

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