How to Install Remmina on Fedora

Remmina is a GTK-based remote desktop client that connects to Windows servers via RDP, manages Linux systems through VNC and SSH, and accesses virtual machines using SPICE. System administrators use Remmina to manage multiple remote connections from a single interface, while developers rely on it for accessing headless servers and cloud instances. By the end of this guide, you will have Remmina installed and ready to establish secure connections to your remote systems.

Fedora provides two installation methods for Remmina. The DNF method installs a stable, distro-integrated version that receives updates through standard system upgrades. Alternatively, the Flatpak method from Flathub offers a sandboxed environment with potentially newer releases. Both methods work seamlessly on Fedora’s Wayland-only GNOME session, and Remmina handles remote protocol translation transparently. This guide covers both approaches, along with optional protocol plugins, launch methods, and removal instructions.

Choose Your Remmina Installation Method

Before proceeding, consider which installation method best fits your needs:

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
DNF	Fedora Repos	Stable	Via system upgrade	Most users who prefer distro-tested packages
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest	Via flatpak update	Users who want sandboxing and newer releases

For most users, the DNF method is recommended because it integrates seamlessly with Fedora’s update system and also includes automatic security patches. Instead, choose Flatpak if you need the latest features or prefer application sandboxing.

Install Remmina Using DNF

Update System Packages

First, update your Fedora system to prevent installation conflicts and ensure you have the latest security patches:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Install Remmina

Next, install Remmina from the Fedora repositories:

sudo dnf install remmina

Additionally, for dedicated remote access terminals or kiosk setups, install the GNOME session package:

sudo dnf install remmina-gnome-session

Once installation completes, verify that Remmina is accessible by checking the version:

remmina --version

org.remmina.Remmina - 1.4.41 (git n/a)

Install Development Headers (Optional)

If you plan to develop custom Remmina plugins or compile extensions, install the development headers:

sudo dnf install remmina-devel

This package provides the necessary header files and build dependencies for plugin development. As a result, most users can safely skip this step.

Install Protocol Plugins (Optional)

The base Remmina package installs RDP and VNC plugins automatically. However, you can extend its functionality with additional protocol plugins:

• remmina-plugins-secret: Stores credentials in GNOME Keyring (recommended for GNOME users)
• remmina-plugins-kwallet: Stores credentials in KDE Wallet (for KDE users)
• remmina-plugins-spice: Connects to SPICE-enabled virtual machines (QEMU/KVM)
• remmina-plugins-www: Embeds web pages within Remmina’s interface
• remmina-plugins-x2go: Enables X2Go remote session connections

To install commonly needed plugins for GNOME users, run:

sudo dnf install remmina-plugins-secret remmina-plugins-spice remmina-plugins-x2go

Install Remmina via Flatpak

Verify Flatpak Installation

Flatpak comes pre-installed on Fedora Workstation. However, if you are using a minimal or server installation, first verify that Flatpak is available:

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

Enable Flathub Repository

Flathub provides a wider selection of applications than Fedora’s default Flatpak remote. Next, add Flathub as a system-wide repository:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds Flathub to your system if it does not already exist. The --if-not-exists flag ensures the command succeeds even if Flathub is already configured.

Install Remmina from Flathub

With Flathub configured, now install Remmina system-wide using the following command:

sudo flatpak install flathub org.remmina.Remmina -y

Then, verify the Flatpak version is accessible:

flatpak run org.remmina.Remmina --version

org.remmina.Remmina - 1.4.41 (git n/a)

Fix Disabled Flathub Remote Error

If you encounter an error indicating the Flathub remote is disabled:

error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can't fetch summary from disabled remote 'flathub'

To fix this, re-enable the Flathub repository with the following command:

sudo flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

Once re-enabled, retry the installation command.

Launch Remmina

Launch from Terminal

For DNF installations, launch Remmina directly from the terminal:

remmina

Alternatively, if you installed Remmina via Flatpak, use a different command since the application runs in an isolated sandbox:

flatpak run org.remmina.Remmina

Launch from Activities Menu

Both DNF and Flatpak installations automatically add Remmina to your application menu. To launch it graphically, open Activities and search for “Remmina”:

1. First, press the Super key or click Activities in the top-left corner.
2. Then, type “Remmina” in the search field.
3. Finally, click the Remmina icon to launch.

Manage Remmina

Update Remmina

Regularly updating Remmina ensures you benefit from bug fixes and security patches. The update method depends on how you installed the application.

For DNF installations, run a system upgrade:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Alternatively, for Flatpak installations, update all Flatpak applications:

flatpak update

Remove Remmina

If you no longer need Remmina, use the removal method corresponding to your installation.

For DNF installations:

sudo dnf remove remmina*

This removes Remmina and all installed plugins. Additionally, DNF automatically cleans up unused dependencies.

Similarly, for Flatpak installations:

The --delete-data flag permanently removes saved connection profiles, credentials, and preferences. Back up your ~/.var/app/org.remmina.Remmina/ directory first if you want to preserve these settings.

sudo flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.remmina.Remmina

Conclusion

You now have Remmina configured for remote desktop management on Fedora, with support for RDP, VNC, SSH, and SPICE protocols. The DNF method integrates with Fedora’s update system, while Flatpak provides sandboxing and independent updates. If you plan to accept incoming remote connections, review your firewalld configuration on Fedora to open the required ports. For additional remote access options, consider enabling SSH on Fedora or exploring alternatives like TeamViewer or AnyDesk.