How to Install AnyDesk on Ubuntu

AnyDesk provides fast, secure remote desktop access that works across operating systems with low latency and high frame rates. IT support teams use it to troubleshoot remote workstations, home users access their computers from work, and technical specialists provide assistance to family and clients. With features like file transfer, session recording, and end-to-end encryption, AnyDesk handles everything from quick support sessions to ongoing remote administration.

On Ubuntu, you can install AnyDesk through the official APT repository for automatic updates and full system integration, use extrepo for simplified repository management with automatic GPG key handling, or install via Flatpak for application sandboxing. This guide covers all three methods with complete verification steps, allowing you to choose the approach that best fits your workflow.

This guide supports Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, and 26.04 LTS installations. The AnyDesk repository uses a universal package format that works across all current Ubuntu releases, and Flatpak remains compatible regardless of version. Commands shown work identically on all supported LTS releases.

Choose Your AnyDesk Installation Method

AnyDesk offers three primary installation methods on Ubuntu, each with distinct advantages. The official repository provides automatic security updates through the standard package manager, extrepo simplifies repository management with a single command, and Flatpak delivers application sandboxing for enhanced isolation. Choose based on your preferences and system requirements.

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
APT Repository	AnyDesk Official	Latest stable	Automatic via apt upgrade	Most users who prefer system integration
Extrepo	AnyDesk Official	Latest stable	Automatic via apt upgrade	Users who prefer simplified repository setup
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest stable	Automatic via flatpak update	Users wanting sandboxed applications

For most users, the APT repository method is recommended because it provides automatic security updates through Ubuntu’s standard package management system and integrates seamlessly with your desktop environment. The extrepo method offers a simpler setup process with automatic GPG key management, which is especially useful if you manage multiple third-party repositories. Choose Flatpak if you specifically need application sandboxing or want to isolate AnyDesk from the rest of your system.

Method 1: Install AnyDesk via APT Repository

Update Ubuntu Before AnyDesk Installation

First, ensure your system is up to date with all existing packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Install Required Packages

Next, install the dependencies needed for downloading and verifying the GPG key:

sudo apt install ca-certificates curl gpg -y

These packages provide HTTPS certificate validation, the curl download utility, and GPG for key verification. Most Ubuntu systems already have these packages installed, but running this command ensures they are present.

Import AnyDesk Repository

Download and import the AnyDesk GPG key, which validates the integrity of packages from their repository:

curl -fsSL https://keys.anydesk.com/repos/DEB-GPG-KEY | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/anydesk.gpg

The -fsSL flags tell curl to fail silently on server errors, show errors if they occur, follow redirects, and operate silently without progress output. The gpg --dearmor command converts the ASCII-armored key to binary format, which is required for the modern DEB822 repository format.

Now add the AnyDesk repository using the DEB822 format:

cat <<EOF | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/anydesk.sources
Types: deb
URIs: http://deb.anydesk.com/
Suites: all
Components: main
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/anydesk.gpg
EOF

This creates a repository configuration file at /etc/apt/sources.list.d/anydesk.sources. The Suites: all entry means AnyDesk uses a universal repository that works across all Ubuntu versions rather than version-specific packages.

Update APT Cache and Verify Repository

With the AnyDesk repository now added to your system, update the package cache to make the new packages available:

sudo apt update

Verify that APT recognizes the AnyDesk repository before proceeding:

apt-cache policy anydesk

The output confirms the repository is configured correctly and shows the available version:

anydesk:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 7.1.2
  Version table:
     7.1.2 500
        500 http://deb.anydesk.com all/main amd64 Packages

Your version number may differ depending on when you install, but the repository URL should match the output above. If the output is blank or shows no candidate version, verify that the repository file was created correctly at /etc/apt/sources.list.d/anydesk.sources.

Install AnyDesk Package

With the repository verified, install AnyDesk:

sudo apt install anydesk -y

Once the installation completes, confirm that AnyDesk is accessible by checking the version:

anydesk --version

The output displays the installed version number:

7.1.2

This confirms AnyDesk is installed and ready to use. The version number may differ from the example depending on when you install.

Method 2: Install AnyDesk via Extrepo

Extrepo is a repository management tool that simplifies adding external repositories to Ubuntu. It handles GPG key imports and repository configuration automatically, making it a convenient alternative to manual setup. This method is particularly useful if you manage multiple third-party repositories, as extrepo provides consistent handling for all of them.

Install and Configure Extrepo

First, install extrepo from the Ubuntu repositories:

sudo apt install extrepo -y

AnyDesk is proprietary software, so you need to enable the non-free policy before adding the repository. By default, extrepo only enables repositories that contain free software. Edit the extrepo configuration to enable non-free repositories:

sudo sed -i 's/# - non-free/- non-free/' /etc/extrepo/config.yaml

This command uncomments the non-free line in the extrepo configuration file, allowing you to enable repositories that contain proprietary software.

Enable AnyDesk Repository

With the non-free policy enabled, add the AnyDesk repository:

sudo extrepo enable anydesk

Extrepo creates a repository configuration file at /etc/apt/sources.list.d/extrepo_anydesk.sources and downloads the GPG key to /var/lib/extrepo/keys/anydesk.asc. This automated process eliminates the manual key import and repository file creation required in Method 1.

Afterward, update the package cache and verify the repository is configured:

sudo apt update
apt-cache policy anydesk

The output confirms the repository is active and shows the available version:

anydesk:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 7.1.2
  Version table:
     7.1.2 500
        500 http://deb.anydesk.com all/main amd64 Packages

Your version number may differ, but the repository URL should match the output above.

Install AnyDesk via Extrepo

Now install AnyDesk:

sudo apt install anydesk -y

Then, verify the installation:

anydesk --version

The output displays the installed version number:

7.1.2

This confirms AnyDesk is ready to use.

Method 3: Install AnyDesk via Flatpak and Flathub

Flatpak provides an alternative installation method that sandboxes AnyDesk, isolating it from the rest of your system. This containerized approach enhances security by restricting the application’s access to system resources and user data. Remote desktop applications like AnyDesk require broad permissions to function properly, so the Flatpak version requests home folder access and legacy windowing system support.

The Flatpak version of AnyDesk is a community-maintained package and is not officially supported by AnyDesk Software GmbH. For official support, use the APT repository method instead.

Enable Flathub For AnyDesk

First, ensure Flatpak is installed on your system. Flatpak is not pre-installed on Ubuntu, but you can add it easily:

sudo apt install flatpak -y

Next, add the Flathub repository at system level so the application is available for all users on the machine:

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

If you haven’t used Flatpak before, refer to our Flatpak installation guide for Ubuntu for detailed setup instructions including desktop integration. You may need to restart your session after the initial Flatpak setup for full desktop environment integration.

Install AnyDesk from Flathub

With Flathub configured, install AnyDesk at system level:

sudo flatpak install --system flathub com.anydesk.Anydesk -y

The --system flag installs the application for all users on the machine. This matches the behavior of APT-installed packages and ensures consistent access across user accounts.

Once the installation completes, confirm that AnyDesk is available:

flatpak info com.anydesk.Anydesk

The output shows version information and installation details:

AnyDesk - com.anydesk.Anydesk

          ID: com.anydesk.Anydesk
         Ref: app/com.anydesk.Anydesk/x86_64/stable
        Arch: x86_64
      Branch: stable
     Version: 7.1.1
     License: LicenseRef-proprietary
      Origin: flathub
  Collection: org.flathub.Stable
Installation: system
   Installed: 108.5 MB

This confirms AnyDesk is installed and shows the installation scope (system) and storage used.

Launch AnyDesk

Launch from Terminal

For APT or extrepo installations, start AnyDesk from the terminal with:

anydesk

If you installed AnyDesk using Flatpak, the command differs because Flatpak applications run in a sandboxed environment:

flatpak run com.anydesk.Anydesk

Launch from Applications Menu

You can also launch AnyDesk through the graphical interface without using the terminal:

• Open the Activities overview by pressing the Super key or clicking Activities in the top-left corner
• Type “AnyDesk” in the search field
• Click the AnyDesk icon to launch the application

On first launch, AnyDesk displays your unique address ID, which other users can enter to connect to your machine. You will also see the connection field where you can enter another computer’s address to initiate a remote session.

Manage AnyDesk

Update AnyDesk

AnyDesk integrates with Ubuntu’s package management system, so you receive updates during regular system updates. The command is the same for both APT repository and extrepo installations:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command refreshes the package cache and upgrades all installed packages, including AnyDesk, to their latest available versions.

For Flatpak installations, update using the Flatpak command:

sudo flatpak update --system

This command checks all system-level Flatpak applications for updates, including AnyDesk and any runtime dependencies.

Remove AnyDesk

If you no longer need AnyDesk, the removal process depends on your installation method. Follow the appropriate section below based on how you installed AnyDesk.

Remove AnyDesk Installed via APT Repository

For the manual APT repository method, first remove the AnyDesk package:

sudo apt remove anydesk -y

Next, remove any orphaned dependencies that were installed automatically with AnyDesk:

sudo apt autoremove -y

Then, remove the repository configuration and GPG key to prevent APT from checking for packages you no longer need:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/anydesk.sources
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/anydesk.gpg

Finally, update the package cache and verify the removal:

sudo apt update
apt-cache policy anydesk

If the removal was successful, the apt-cache policy command produces no output, indicating the package is no longer available from any configured repository.

You can optionally remove AnyDesk user data for a complete cleanup:

The following command permanently deletes your AnyDesk settings, connection history, and saved credentials. Export any important data before proceeding.

rm -rf ~/.anydesk

Remove AnyDesk Installed via Extrepo

For the extrepo installation method, first remove the AnyDesk package and any orphaned dependencies:

sudo apt remove anydesk -y
sudo apt autoremove -y

Disable the extrepo repository. This command adds Enabled: no to the repository configuration file, which is sufficient for most users:

sudo extrepo disable anydesk

Optionally, remove the repository file completely if you prefer a full cleanup:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/extrepo_anydesk.sources

Then, verify the removal:

sudo apt update
apt-cache policy anydesk

If the removal was successful, the policy command produces no output.

Remove AnyDesk Installed via Flatpak

First, remove the Flatpak installation:

sudo flatpak uninstall --system com.anydesk.Anydesk -y

Additionally, remove any unused Flatpak runtimes that are no longer needed by other applications:

sudo flatpak uninstall --unused -y

Finally, verify the removal by checking installed Flatpak applications:

flatpak list | grep -i anydesk

No output indicates AnyDesk has been successfully removed from your system.

You can optionally remove Flatpak sandboxed user data:

The following command permanently deletes your AnyDesk Flatpak settings and data. Export any important data before proceeding.

rm -rf ~/.var/app/com.anydesk.Anydesk

Troubleshoot AnyDesk

Fix Display Issues on Wayland

Ubuntu uses Wayland as the default display server on newer releases. AnyDesk may experience issues with screen sharing or remote input on Wayland sessions. If you encounter blank screens during remote sessions or non-functional keyboard and mouse input, try switching to an X11 session:

• Log out of your current session
• On the login screen, click the gear icon in the bottom-right corner
• Select “Ubuntu on Xorg” instead of the default “Ubuntu” option
• Log in and try AnyDesk again

This issue primarily affects incoming connections where someone else is viewing your screen. Outgoing connections to remote machines typically work regardless of your local display server.

Resolve Repository GPG Errors

If you see GPG-related errors during apt update, the key may not have been downloaded correctly. Re-download and import the key:

curl -fsSL https://keys.anydesk.com/repos/DEB-GPG-KEY | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/anydesk.gpg

If you previously used an older installation method that placed the key in /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/, remove the old key to avoid conflicts:

sudo rm -f /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/anydesk.gpg

Allow AnyDesk Through the Firewall

If incoming connections fail despite AnyDesk showing as online, your firewall may be blocking the required ports. AnyDesk uses TCP ports 80, 443, and 6568 for connections. If you use UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), allow these ports:

sudo ufw allow 6568/tcp comment "AnyDesk"

Ports 80 and 443 are typically already allowed for web traffic. If you have blocked outgoing connections, you may also need to allow them for AnyDesk to reach its relay servers. For more firewall management options, see our UFW firewall guide for Ubuntu.

Check AnyDesk Service Status

AnyDesk runs as a system service to enable unattended access and automatic startup. Check if the service is running:

systemctl status anydesk

If the service is not running, start and enable it:

sudo systemctl start anydesk
sudo systemctl enable anydesk

The enable command ensures the service starts automatically after reboots.

Conclusion

You now have AnyDesk installed on Ubuntu with your chosen method, whether through the official APT repository for seamless integration, extrepo for simplified repository management, or Flatpak for application sandboxing. Each approach provides automatic updates through its respective package management system, ensuring you receive security patches and new features as they become available. For the best experience, configure unattended access if you need to connect to this machine remotely, and review the security settings to control who can connect to your system.