Comprehensive Guide to Using AnyDesk for IT Professionals

Many IT professionals have heard of the product AnyDesk – in short, it is a remote access software that allows users to control and access virtually any device from anywhere. The remote desktop application provides platform-independent remote access to personal computers and other devices running the application. Functions include remote control, file transfer, and VPN. 

Both IT department teams and managed service providers (MSPs) know the importance of remote access tools like AnyDesk. To perform tasks like changing settings, helping clients and users resolve support tickets, and installing programs, remote access software is essential. 

One of the best-case scenarios is combining remote access software with a fully integrated RMM and PSA system, like Atera. At Atera, our plans include remote access software tools powered by AnyDesk. In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs on how to use AnyDesk to work in your IT organization!

How to connect AnyDesk

To initiate an AnyDesk connection, the first step is to make sure that you’ve downloaded AnyDesk on both the target and connecting devices. Now you just need to find the AnyDesk-ID of the target device (in other words, the device you’re looking to access). Then you’ll just need to go to AnyDesk on the connecting device and paste the target device’s AnyDesk-ID under a New Session tab.

But wait, if you manage a network of devices, keeping track of each device’s AnyDesk-ID can get very complicated. But don’t worry, there’s a better way! Using Atera you can manage unlimited devices under a single application. When you use Atera in combination with AnyDesk, you’ll see just how efficient IT support can be. 

1. Download and Install the AnyDesk application on the target device (if you have not done so already)

From the Devices page, navigate to the Remote Access column and click the “Connect” dropdown. On that dropdown, select “AnyDesk.”

Remote connect via Atera

1. Click “Download AnyDesk,” and then click on the downloaded file. 
2. Click “Install AnyDesk.”
3. When AnyDesk installs, the AnyDesk Connection screen will appear. 
4.  Click “Copy & open AnyDesk.” This will copy the session password and access the authorization screen.
5. When the Authorization screen appears, paste the password into the field and then click the “OK” button. 

Now that you’re set up with AnyDesk, let’s learn how to use AnyDesk and its capabilities to the fullest.

How to use AnyDesk

Now that you’ve downloaded the AnyDesk on both the target and connecting devices, you’ll want to learn how to use AnyDesk and its extensive features.

When you request a remote session through AnyDesk, the other user will typically be prompted to accept this session. Then, you can take control of the remote device. There are also other features native to AnyDesk including chat, on-screen whiteboard, switch sides, and block user input (which allows you to keep the user on the AnyDesk remote desktop from interfering while you help them). 

You can request access to another device via the native AnyDesk application, or from within an RMM like Atera. To connect to another device within the native app, you just need to enter the AnyDesk-ID or Alias of the target device into your application. Once the target device has accepted the connection request, you should now have remote access. 

How to update AnyDesk

Keeping software up-to-date is important to keep your devices and networks running at peak efficiency. The last thing you want to do is run into a forced software update right before an important client call because you’ve been hitting “install later” for weeks (or months…years?!).

And if there’s a vulnerability in the AnyDesk framework, it’s safe to say that bad actors will know about that vulnerability too. As we know, bad actors aren’t afraid to use a vulnerability in software to their advantage. This is where auto-updates of AnyDesk across devices within your network can save you a big headache.

So how can you update your AnyDesk software? It’s a simple process that’s pretty well the same for both Windows and Mac computers. Download the latest version of AnyDesk, corresponding to your operating system, from the official Downloads page of the AnyDesk website or from within your AnyDesk account. Be careful about downloading it from any other pages or 3rd parties that claim to be an AnyDesk download, as they could be a scam/hack attempt.

But if you’d like to learn how to update AnyDesk in the easiest way, using Atera makes updating your AnyDesk (and any other software for that matter!) a headache of the past. With Atera, automating your software updates is literally a “set and forget” process. Under your Admin panel, then under Patch Management and IT Automation, select the profile (workstation or server) that you’d like to set up automatic updates for. Select the software you’d like to keep automatically updated, or you can use Update all to auto-update everything.

How to take and give AnyDesk access

Learning how to properly utilize AnyDesk and its bells and whistles gives IT professionals the ability to provide efficient support. Here’s how you can take and give AnyDesk access and edit permissions during a session.

Taking and giving AnyDesk access

To request remote access to another device, just enter the AnyDesk address of the target device in the address bar (New Session) and hit Enter. Now your target device will receive an access request, which will give you access once accepted. Note: the end user can provide full or partial access from this access request screen. 

Once you’ve gained access to the target device, you can request specific permissions if they’re needed to carry out your support. An example could be file transfer or clipboard access.

Editing Permissions

If you’d like to edit permissions/access within AnyDesk during a session, or you need your customer to give you certain permissions, don’t worry; it’s not complicated.

Just click on the Permissions tab within the session toolbar. Here you’ll be able to adjust access levels and adjust permitted actions like file transfer and clipboard access. If you have a level of trust built up with your customers, you can just ask them to turn on all permissions, so that they don’t need to return to this tab to provide you access to anything else.

You can also configure the default permissions for any future connections, within the Security tab of the AnyDesk settings. You can set up a password to allow unattended access, where trusted technicians can connect without manual approval. And with the access control list, you’ll be able to specify which devices can and can’t connect for an extra layer of security. 

You can even enable or disable session recording for those times when you’ll need to see a playback of the session. 

While managing access within AnyDesk can be done on a device-by-device basis, using an RMM like Atera gives you one central place where you can manage all of the devices within your network. And when it comes to AnyDesk, you can even manage remote access across each of those devices. 

How to install AnyDesk on my laptop

Installing AnyDesk to your laptop is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Your laptop will need at least 1GB of system memory (aka RAM), but it’s recommended to have at least 2GB.

First, go to the AnyDesk official downloads page and download the right application version for your laptop, depending on whether it’s a Windows or Mac laptop. Remember to make sure that you only download it from the official AnyDesk website. Other websites could have old versions, or even worse, be from scammers or hackers. 

Now just open the application and there you have it! You should see your AnyDesk-ID which you can use to allow others to access your laptop remotely. Or, you can form a new connection to another laptop, using their AnyDesk-ID. 

By utilizing an RMM like Atera, you can manage AnyDesk (and other software) downloads across an entire network of devices, hassle-free. 

Managing software across different devices meant for different purposes can be a challenging feat, but in the Atera backend, you can set up standardized role-based software bundles. That way, you won’t have to start from scratch when you’re onboarding a new employee.

How to allow AnyDesk on Mac

Allowing AnyDesk on your Mac laptop or iMac is also a straightforward process. If you’ve followed the steps listed above on how to install AnyDesk to your computer (the process is the same if you are on a MacBook or an iMac), then you’ll just need to open up your AnyDesk application and find your AnyDesk-ID.

Now just give your AnyDesk-ID to the person who needs to access your Mac, and they can request to connect. Or if you’re looking to connect to another person’s Mac, then just get their AnyDesk-ID and paste it into a new tab labeled New Session. 

Once you’ve hit Enter, the end user will be prompted to accept the connection request, and you’ll have remote access to their Mac device!

If you’re an IT technician in charge of managing a network of Macs, using the simple-to-use Atera dashboard can help save you time and hassle. When a network Mac is located in your Devices list (with AnyDesk installed), all you need to do is click Connect, enter your credentials, and you’re underway!

How to fix Anydesk “display server not supported” error

The “display server not supported” error in AnyDesk indicates that the application is having trouble interfacing with the system’s display server, which manages how graphics are displayed on your screen. This issue can arise from incompatible settings or outdated drivers.

How to Fix AnyDesk Display Server Not Supported on Windows 8, 10, and 11

For most Windows devices that are displaying the AnyDesk “display server not supported” error, there may be a few different options as to what’s going on. So you may need to go through this list and try a few things before it fixes the error.

Update Display Drivers

Sometimes the issue can be an out-of-date display driver. Luckily, it’s pretty simple to update it. Just go to Device Manager > Display adapters. Now right-click your display adapter and select Update driver.

Compatibility Mode

You may also be running into cross-compatibility issues. To fix this, you’ll just need to right-click the AnyDesk shortcut, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and check Run this program in compatibility mode to make sure that AnyDesk will work with your current Windows version.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Within AnyDesk, go to Settings > Display, and disable Hardware Acceleration, which can sometimes cause the “display server not supported” error.

Restart Your Computer

Once you’ve tried these fixes, apply them and restart your computer to give it another shot. It always goes back to the old-but-gold IT advice, “Have you tried turning off and on your computer?” 

How to Fix AnyDesk Display Server Not Supported on Ubuntu

1. Switch to Xorg by clicking on the gear icon at the login screen and selecting Ubuntu on Xorg before logging in.
2. Next, if Xorg is not installed, run this command:

sudo apt-get install xorg

• You’ll also want to make sure that all packages are up-to-date with these commands:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

• And last, but certainly not least, sometimes a quick reinstall can reset configurations and iron out any bugs you might be experiencing. Use these 2 commands, in order:

sudo apt-get remove anydesk

sudo apt-get install anydesk

After going through these steps, you should be able to get rid of the AnyDesk “display server not supported” error message. 

How to stop AnyDesk access

If you need to stop an active AnyDesk session, you just need to click on the Disconnect button located on the session toolbar. This will end the active session immediately, ensuring that the connecting device loses remote access. If you want more of a temporary change, you can also use the Permissions tab to limit the connecting user’s capabilities, without completely ending the session.

If you’d like to prevent someone from connecting to your device again in the future, just head over to the Security tab in the AnyDesk settings. From there you’ll be able to remove the connecting device from the access control list. This blocks it from attempting to connect to your device. 

And if your device was setup for unattended access, you should change the password or disable it altogether to make sure that you won’t have any unwanted connections happening without your knowledge. 

How does AnyDesk work?

AnyDesk establishes a secure remote connection between two devices (laptops, desktops, or mobile devices) using the target device’s unique AnyDesk-ID. When someone tries to establish a connection, AnyDesk uses its proprietary DeskRT codec to compress and transfer data, with an end goal of great graphic accuracy and low latency.

The biggest objective of the codec is to help the data transfer work with low bandwidth situations, allowing a clear display regardless of conditions. AnyDesk uses TLS 1.2 encryption to keep the connection safe and secure, and any data passing between the devices is secure and private. You can also use other security systems like firewalls and proxies to be sure that your remote connection won’t end in a security breach within your company.

AnyDesk is a freemium remote desktop software, meaning that while you can create an AnyDesk account and use it for free, you’ll be limited to the Free plan features. If you have more than 3 devices you’d like to have unattended access to, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the premium plans. 

There are also a number of other features that are only available to premium users, like remote restart, enhanced support, session logging, and custom branding.

Enhancing AnyDesk experience with Atera

AnyDesk is a fantastic stand-alone remote desktop software that you can use to transform the way you run your MSP or IT department. But when you combine it with Atera, an industry-leading RMM, you’ll be changing the way you use AnyDesk. 

Using AnyDesk with Atera will allow you to see a list of each of your devices within one central dashboard, and manage the AnyDesk application of each of those devices i.e. to download or update the app. You can even record sessions of multi-monitor computers and watch back previously recorded sessions from within Atera, for efficient customer service. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Atera can transform the way you offer IT support, schedule a chat with our sales team. Or, you can claim your 30-day free trial to give our award-winning RMM a spin!