Remote Host for VNC

Remote Host for VNC turns an Android device into a private VNC server that a separate VNC client can view or control over a network path the user controls. There is no account, no advertising, no analytics, no tracking library, and no developer-operated relay server.

Connections

• Incoming connections on a configurable port, across the device's available network interfaces

• Reverse connections to a listening client, retried automatically when they fail or drop

• Incoming and reverse connections enabled separately or together

• Up to four connected clients at the same time

Encryption and identity

Connections use RA2-256 authenticated encryption by default. Clients without encryption support can connect only after the user turns on a setting that allows them; they then connect with a password check but without encryption. When such a client is refused, the app says so and offers that setting. The server identity is held in the Android Keystore and persists between sessions, and its fingerprint can be copied and compared with the client's first-connection prompt.

Simple setup

The connection password is set on first start and can be remembered on the device, encrypted with a key held in the Android Keystore. The same step offers remote control, and when a viewer starts watching while the app is open, the app moves to the home screen.

Screen sharing

• Screen updates at up to 60 frames per second, built from the areas of the screen that changed

• JPEG, Tight, ZRLE, Hextile, and Raw encodings, chosen from those the client supports

• Automatic capture scaling to a maximum long edge of 1,600 pixels

• Screen rotation reflected on clients that support desktop resizing

• Sharing stopped at any time from the app, its notification, or Android's system controls

Optional remote control and clipboard

Remote touch and keyboard input use an optional Android Accessibility service, which the user turns on in Android settings after an in-app disclosure, and a single switch in the app turns remote control off at any time. Remote input is performed only while screen sharing is active. Focused-field information used transiently for requested text entry is not sent to Pikcn Technologies or retained. A separate clipboard setting, off by default, places plain text copied on a connected client onto the device clipboard, limited to Latin-1 characters.

Private by design

Connections are made directly between devices the user chooses. Screen content, remote input, clipboard text, and connection details are not sent to Pikcn Technologies. Android decides which content can be captured: protected content may be blanked, and Android may stop the capture when the device locks. Remote Host for VNC does not bypass these protections.

Note: Android 14 or newer is required, and the viewing device needs a separate VNC client.

Permissions and their purpose

• Internet and local network: opens the incoming or reverse connection the user starts

• Foreground service for screen capture: keeps an active sharing session running and visible

• Notifications: shows the active sharing session and its Stop action

• Accessibility service, optional: delivers remote touch and keyboard input while sharing is active

This app does not request storage, contacts, location, camera, microphone, telephone, or account access. Privacy policy: Remote Host for VNC privacy policy.

Open source

Remote Host for VNC is released under the Apache License, Version 2.0. Source code on GitLab

VNC and RFB are registered trademarks of RealVNC Limited. Pikcn Technologies is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by RealVNC Limited.