Establish a remote desktop link from an Android device to a Windows 11 computer.
Establish a remote desktop link from an Android device to a Windows 11 computer.
Hey everyone, I just installed a new PC and am having trouble connecting remotely via RD Connect from my Android phone using my 4G/5G connection. I remembered the previous PC's static IP address and set this new one to match, but it still won't work. The router also has a fixed WAN IP. When adding the new PC in the app, I'm not sure whether to enter the WAN or local IP and if I need to append ":3389" afterward. Also, for port forwarding, I thought using the static local IP and directing it to port 3389 would help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
For safety, you definitely don’t want your RDP service open on the public internet. It’s a clear invitation for attacks. Is it safe to connect if your mobile device is on the same local network and you attempt to join via its LAN IP? Which version of Windows is installed on your new computer? The Home version blocks any incoming RDP connections.
Verify the firewall settings and incoming port forwarding configurations on the new router. On the client, ensure you're using the public IP address and the port number you configured for server access. I still think this approach is risky. RDP should be secured via a VPN, not through port forwarding.
It seems the port forwarding configuration might be off, or the new PC uses a different internal IP address. The Windows firewall could be blocking RDP connections from outside networks by default for safety. You definitely don’t want RDP exposed publicly—it’s a security risk. If you really need access, set up a VPN on your router, connect internally, and then use RDP through that.
You don't have to sign up for anything. In this scenario, your router acts as the VPN service. You just need an Android VPN app—like strongSwan, which is free and open source—to connect. Many VPN providers promote themselves on YouTube, but the main purpose of VPNs is to let users access their private networks over the internet (Virtual Private Network). Joining someone else's network in another country can help bypass certain restrictions, which is why this service exists.
Search for guidance similar to "Set up VPN server" on Google. This subject leans toward technical setup, often involving basic configuration or server deployment. Depending on your router, it might just require enabling a toggle and adding credentials. For more advanced options, running OpenVPN on a dedicated server OS is possible but more complex.