How to Connect to a Windows RDP from Windows, Mac, Android & iPhone

You've bought a Windows RDP or VPS and received an IP address, a username and a password. Now what? This step-by-step guide shows you how to connect to your remote desktop from Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone/iPad and Linux. It also covers how to fix the most common connection errors.

What you need before you start

• Server IP address (and port, if it isn't the default 3389), for example 203.0.113.10:3389
• Username, usually Administrator
• Password from your welcome email or client area

How to connect to RDP from Windows 10 / 11

Windows has a Remote Desktop client built in, so you don't need to install anything.

1. Press Win + R, type mstsc and press Enter (or search "Remote Desktop Connection" in the Start menu).
2. In Computer, enter your server IP. If you use a custom port, add it after a colon: 203.0.113.10:50123.
3. Click Show Options, enter Administrator as the user name and tick "Allow me to save credentials" if you like.
4. Click Connect, enter your password, and accept the certificate warning (this is normal for a new server).

Tip: Click Save As on the General tab to create a .rdp shortcut on your desktop for one-click access.

How to connect to RDP from a Mac

1. Install Windows App (Microsoft's official client, formerly "Microsoft Remote Desktop") from the Mac App Store.
2. Open it, click + → Add PC.
3. Enter the server IP (with :port if needed) as the PC name.
4. Under Credentials, add your username and password, then save.
5. Double-click the PC tile to connect, and click Continue on the certificate prompt.

How to connect to RDP from Android

1. Install Windows App (or "Remote Desktop" by Microsoft, depending on your region) from Google Play.
2. Tap + → Add PC, enter the IP address and your user account.
3. Tap the saved PC to connect. Use the on-screen keyboard and mouse pointer from the top toolbar.

How to connect to RDP from iPhone / iPad

1. Download Windows App from the App Store.
2. Tap + → Add PC, enter the IP address, and add your user account.
3. Tap the PC to connect. On iPad, a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse make it feel like a laptop.

How to connect to RDP from Linux

Use Remmina (preinstalled on many Ubuntu desktops). Choose the RDP protocol, enter the IP, username and password, and connect. From a terminal you can also use FreeRDP:

xfreerdp /v:203.0.113.10:3389 /u:Administrator /dynamic-resolution

Disconnect vs sign out: an important difference

Need to move files onto your server? Here are 5 ways to transfer files to RDP.

Fixing common RDP connection errors

"Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer"

• Double-check the IP and port. A missing :port is the most common mistake.
• Make sure the server is running in your client area. Try a reboot from there.
• Some office, school and public Wi-Fi networks block RDP ports. Try mobile data to test.

"The credentials did not work"

• Type the password manually instead of pasting it, since a trailing space breaks copy-paste.
• Use Administrator or .\Administrator as the username.
• After several failed attempts, the account may be temporarily locked. Wait a few minutes.

"An authentication error has occurred / CredSSP"

Update Windows on your own computer. Old clients can fail to negotiate Network Level Authentication with updated servers.

The connection is slow or laggy

See our guide on making Windows RDP faster: 12 tweaks that fix most lag.