AnyDesk is a remote desktop application that lets you connect to and control computers from anywhere. It handles remote support sessions, file transfers between machines, and unattended access to servers or workstations. By the end of this guide, you will have AnyDesk installed from the official repository with automatic updates configured through your package manager.
AnyDesk installs identically on Rocky Linux 8, 9, and 10. The official AnyDesk repository serves the same package across all three releases, and no version-specific adjustments are needed.
Update Rocky Linux Before Installation
Before adding external repositories, update your system packages to ensure compatibility with the latest dependencies. This also refreshes your package cache with current metadata.
sudo dnf upgrade --refreshAdd the AnyDesk Repository
AnyDesk provides an official RPM repository for RHEL-based distributions. First, import the GPG signing key to verify package authenticity, then create the repository configuration file.
Import the AnyDesk GPG key:
sudo rpm --import https://keys.anydesk.com/repos/RPM-GPG-KEYNext, create the repository file. The following command writes the repository configuration to /etc/yum.repos.d/anydesk.repo:
sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/anydesk.repo<<EOF
[anydesk]
name=AnyDesk Rocky Linux
baseurl=http://rpm.anydesk.com/centos/x86_64/
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=0
gpgkey=https://keys.anydesk.com/repos/RPM-GPG-KEY
EOFThe gpgcheck=1 setting ensures all packages are verified against the GPG key you imported. After creating the file, verify the repository appears in your system:
dnf repolist --refresh | grep anydeskExpected output:
anydesk AnyDesk Rocky Linux
Install AnyDesk
With the repository configured, install AnyDesk using DNF. The package manager automatically resolves all required dependencies including GTK libraries and display components.
sudo dnf install anydesk -yInstallation output (truncated):
Dependencies resolved. ================================================================================ Package Arch Version Repository Size ================================================================================ Installing: anydesk x86_64 7.1.2-1 anydesk 14 M Installing dependencies: gtk3 x86_64 ... appstream ... ... Complete!
Once the installation completes, verify AnyDesk is accessible by checking the installed version:
anydesk --versionExpected output:
7.1.2
Launch AnyDesk
You can start AnyDesk from either the terminal or the GNOME applications menu. For desktop users, open the application by navigating to:
Activities > Show Applications > AnyDesk
Alternatively, launch AnyDesk directly from the terminal:
anydesk
AnyDesk Command Line Options
Several command line options are available for scripting and automation. To retrieve your AnyDesk ID without opening the graphical interface:
anydesk --get-idYou can also initiate a connection directly from the terminal by providing a remote address:
anydesk 123456789Replace 123456789 with the actual AnyDesk ID of the remote machine. For additional command options, consult the AnyDesk Linux documentation.
Update AnyDesk
Because AnyDesk is installed from a repository, updates arrive through your normal system upgrade process. When new versions are released, DNF includes them in your regular updates. To check for and apply AnyDesk updates specifically:
sudo dnf upgrade anydesk --refreshThis command refreshes repository metadata and upgrades AnyDesk if a newer version is available. For a broader update that includes all system packages, you can run sudo dnf upgrade --refresh instead. If you want to increase DNF download speeds on Rocky Linux, configure parallel downloads in your DNF configuration.
Remove AnyDesk
To uninstall AnyDesk along with any unused dependencies that were installed alongside it:
sudo dnf remove anydeskDNF automatically removes orphaned dependencies when uninstalling packages. If you prefer to keep dependencies that other software might use, add the --noautoremove flag to the command.
If you do not plan to reinstall AnyDesk, also remove the repository file and clear cached metadata:
sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/anydesk.repo
sudo dnf clean allVerify the package is no longer installed:
rpm -q anydeskExpected output after removal:
package anydesk is not installed
Remove AnyDesk Configuration Files
AnyDesk stores configuration, connection logs, and cached data in a hidden directory within your home folder. These files persist after uninstalling the package.
The following command permanently deletes your AnyDesk configuration, connection history, and any saved credentials. If you have custom settings or unattended access configured, back them up first.
rm -rf ~/.anydeskTroubleshooting
Repository Metadata Errors
If you encounter GPG key errors when adding the repository or installing packages, the error typically appears as:
Public key for anydesk-7.1.2-1.x86_64.rpm is not installed
Verify the AnyDesk GPG key was imported correctly by checking the installed keys:
rpm -qa gpg-pubkey* | xargs rpm -qi | grep -A2 "AnyDesk"Expected output when the key is present:
Packager : AnyDesk Software GmbHSummary : AnyDesk Software GmbH public key
If no output appears, the key import failed. Re-import it using:
sudo rpm --import https://keys.anydesk.com/repos/RPM-GPG-KEYDisplay Server Compatibility
Rocky Linux 10 ships GNOME as Wayland-only. Unlike Rocky Linux 8 and 9, there is no X11 session option at the login screen. AnyDesk functions on Wayland through XWayland compatibility, though you may notice reduced performance or missing features compared to a native X11 environment. If remote desktop quality is critical, Rocky Linux 9 with an X11 session provides the most compatible experience.
AnyDesk Service Not Starting
AnyDesk includes a background service for unattended access. If connections fail or the application cannot start, check the service status:
systemctl status anydesk --no-pagerTo enable the service to start automatically at boot:
sudo systemctl enable anydesk
sudo systemctl start anydeskConclusion
You now have AnyDesk installed on Rocky Linux with automatic updates from the official repository. The application handles remote desktop sessions, file transfers, and unattended access scenarios commonly needed in enterprise environments. For advanced configuration including password protection and access control, explore the settings within the AnyDesk interface or consult the official documentation.