Easy Remote Access with Raspberry Pi Connect 2026 Tutorial

This article was originally published on Raspberry Pi Remote Access RootSaid. For a visual step-by-step walkthrough, check out the full video tutorial on the RootSaid YouTube Channel.

I’ve been working on a few Raspberry Pi projects lately that require remote access. In the past, my “go-to” solution was always port forwarding. It was the standard way to bridge the gap between my home network and the outside world.

But let’s be honest: the internet has become a bit of a Wild West. With the sheer number of automated cyber attacks and botnets scanning for open ports every second, leaving a hole in my home firewall started to feel like leaving my front door unlocked in a bad neighborhood. I needed a fix — something secure, easy, and officially supported.

That’s when I stumbled upon Raspberry Pi Connect.

It’s the new, official way to access your Pi’s desktop or terminal through a web browser from anywhere in the world. No port forwarding, no complex VPNs, and it takes about two minutes to set up. Here is how I did it, and how you can too.

TLDR — Raspberry Pi Connect Complete Setup Video Tutorial

If you dont wanna sit and read the whole article, here is a step by step setup video guide explaining the whole process.

The Prerequisites

Before we dive in, make sure you have:

• A Raspberry Pi (ideally a Pi 4, Pi 5, or 400 for the best experience).
• A 64-bit version of Raspberry Pi OS (Bookworm).
• A Raspberry Pi ID (it’s free).

Step 1: Creating Your Raspberry Pi ID

First, head over to the Raspberry Pi Connect website.

• Click Sign In.
• If you don’t have an account, click Create an account.
• Confirm your email and log in.
• Go to the Settings tab and click Create Auth Key.

Important: Copy this key and save it somewhere safe. You’ll need it to “link” your Pi to your account.

Implementation Paths

Depending on whether you are working with a live system or starting a fresh build, there are two primary ways to deploy Raspberry Pi Connect.

Method 1: Enabling Connect on an Existing System (CLI Path)

If your Raspberry Pi is already deployed and you have access via a local terminal or SSH, you can enable remote access without reflashing your OS.

Initialize the Service: First, ensure your system is up to date and the service is active:

sudo apt update
rpi-connect on

Device Authentication:To link the hardware to your Raspberry Pi ID, you need to sign in. Run the following command:

rpi-connect signin

Alternatively, you can provide an authentication key generated from your Connect Dashboard settings:

rpi-connect signin [YOUR_AUTH_KEY]

Verify Status:Once you see the Signed in message, your Pi is linked. You can verify the connection status at any time using:

rpi-connect status

Now, go back to your browser on the Raspberry Pi Connect dashboard.

You’ll see your device listed! You can click Connect to open a Remote Shell right in your browser tab.

Method 2: Provisioning via Raspberry Pi Imager (Deployment Path)

For new projects or "zero-touch" deployments, the Raspberry Pi Imager (v1.8.5+) is the most efficient tool. It allows you to inject the authentication token directly into the OS image.

• Advanced OS Customization:After selecting your Pi model and the 64-bit Bookworm OS, click Edit Settings. Under the Services tab, toggle Enable Raspberry Pi Connect to ON.
• Automated Token Handshake:Instead of manually typing a key, click the "Open Raspberry Pi Connect" button. This will launch your browser to authenticate with your account. Once authenticated, the browser securely passes a Provisioning Token back to the Imager.

• Headless Boot:Flash the SD card and insert it into your Pi. On the first boot, the system will automatically:
• Connect to your pre-configured Wi-Fi.
• Use the token to register itself with the global relay.
• Appear in your dashboard as an active device without you ever needing to plug in a monitor or keyboard.

After Method 1 or Method 2; Remote Management Interfaces

Once connected, you have two ways to interact with your hardware through the browser:

• Remote Shell: A low-latency TTY terminal for command-line operations.
• Screen Sharing: A high-performance GUI session using WebRTC. This is perfect for interacting with apps that require a desktop environment

Why This is a Game Changer for Makers

After switching to Raspberry Pi Connect, I realized I had been overcomplicating my life for years.

• Security: It uses secure WebRTC connections. You aren’t opening ports to the public internet.
• Simplicity: It works behind NAT and CGNAT (mobile hotspots, office networks, etc.) where port forwarding isn’t even possible.
• Free: As of now, the service is free for individual makers.

If you’ve been hesitant to put your Pi online because of security concerns, this is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Stop poking holes in your firewall and start using the official bridge.

Wrapping Up

If you’ve been hesitant to put your Pi online because of security concerns, this is the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Need more Raspberry Pi tips?

• Read the full technical breakdown at RootSaid.
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more DIY electronics and security tutorials.
• Drop a comment below if you ran into any issues!