
Raspberry Pi Connect Service Debuts Non-Beta Remote Access via WebRTC with Enhanced Efficiency
In the constantly transforming landscape of technology, the Raspberry Pi has emerged as a versatile and affordable computing platform. Delve into practical applications and real-world use cases, The Raspberry Pi organization first introduced the Raspberry Pi Connect into the world of seamless connectivity back in May 2024. Raspberry Pi Connect, or simply ‘Connect’, is a user-friendly service from the Raspberry Pi organization that lets users remotely connect to their Raspberry Pi SBC through their servers. As long as there is an internet connection, users can manage their Raspberry Pi remotely.
Raspberry Pi has recently announced that its Raspberry Pi Connect service, designed to provide secure yet simple remote access to users’ single-board computers, has now left beta version and comes with more efficient connectivity. The new remote shell feature includes a Secure Shell (SSH)-style command-line interface in Raspberry Pi Connect, enabling users to launch a shell on their Raspberry Pi device from a web browser, over a secure connection.
Raspberry Pi Connect uses a secure, encrypted connection. By default, Raspberry Pi Connect communicates directly between the Raspberry Pi and the internet browser. However, when Connect can’t establish a direct connection between the Raspberry Pi and the internet browser, we use a relay server. In such cases, Raspberry Pi only retains the metadata required to operate Connect.
To use Connect, install the Connect software and link your device to an account on your Raspberry Pi. Then visit connect.raspberrypi.com to access the desktop or a shell running on your Raspberry Pi in a browser window. Connect works exclusively on the Raspberry Pi OS and Pi OS Lite, starting with the Bookworm version, and can be used on all models, from the decade-old Pi 1 to the latest Raspberry Pi 5. It comes pre-installed in the latest desktop version of the Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm.
Raspberry Pi Connect tries to connect the two computers via WebRTC which is the same technology used by Zoom and other conferencing software. Connect features two options for controlling the SBC: screen sharing or remote shell. Pi OS Lite only allows remote shell access.
In Raspberry Pi Connect 2.5, the first non-beta release, the software gains improved connectivity efficiency. The new release is now available to all Raspberry Pi OS users as well as Raspberry Pi Connect Lite users. Instructions on using the tool can be found on the Raspberry Pi website.