We're making changes to the way RealVNC Viewer works. To help you understand what the changes are and how they may affect you, we've put together these FAQs.
What's changing?
From v8.4.0 onwards, RealVNC Viewer will be known as the RealVNC Connect Viewer.
The new RealVNC Connect Viewer brings the standalone Viewer app in line with the look, feel and functionality of our Connect All-in-One App experience. It also introduces signing in to your account as a core part of the experience, unlocking access to advanced RealVNC Connect features and helping you get more from the product — while also strengthening security.
Please note that our current RealVNC Viewer (v7) is not being retired, as it is still needed in certain scenarios where direct connectivity and offline/on-premises use is required. It is, however, being renamed to RealVNC Classic Viewer to better differentiate it from the RealVNC Connect Viewer experience.
The RealVNC Classic Viewer (v7) will continue to be available for customers with a Premium or Enterprise plan to download from the RealVNC Portal.
FAQs: For users with a RealVNC Connect account or paid plan subscription
Why is the installer for my paid version no longer visible or accessible on the download page?
We've launched the new RealVNC Connect Viewer and want to avoid confusion by offering only one version of the application on our main download page.
For customers who need offline connections or prefer the classic experience, RealVNC Classic Viewer is still available and can be accessed from the Downloads area of the RealVNC Portal.
Have download locations moved? If so, where is the new location for paid subscribers?
RealVNC Connect Viewer (v8.4.0 and later) and the RealVNC Connect (All-in-One) App can still be downloaded at www.realvnc.com/download.
Customers with a Premium or Enterprise subscription who want the RealVNC Classic Viewer (v7) can access it by signing in to the RealVNC Portal and downloading it from the Downloads section.
Is the software still available for manual download, or has the installation process changed?
Standalone installers for RealVNC Connect Viewer (v8.4.0 and later) and RealVNC Connect Server are still available at www.realvnc.com/download. Standalone installers for RealVNC Classic Viewer (v7) are now only available from the Downloads area of the RealVNC Portal after signing in.
As a paid subscriber, am I still entitled to install the software on additional devices?
Yes. Nothing has changed with regards to entitlements.
Is there a limit on the number of devices I can connect to?
The number of devices you can connect to at any given time depends on your RealVNC plan and whether you are connecting to devices licensed with RealVNC or running a third-party VNC server.
| Essentials | Plus | Premium | Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active connections to RealVNC-licensed devices | 1 active session only | Starts at 1 (purchase up to max. 3 active sessions) | Starts at 1 (purchase up to max. 5 active sessions) | Unlimited active sessions |
| Active connections to third-party VNC servers | 1 active session only | 5 active sessions | 15 active sessions | 150 active sessions |
For more detail, see our pricing page.
Do I now need to sign in first to see download links?
You will need to sign in to the RealVNC Portal to find the download links for RealVNC Classic Viewer. RealVNC Connect Viewer is also available from the Portal and can be downloaded from www.realvnc.com/connect/download.
Is installation tied to the device list in my account?
No. Installing RealVNC Connect Viewer and signing in to your account does not count as a licensed remote device and so it does not appear in your Devices list.
FAQs: For users without a RealVNC Connect account or plan subscription
Why does the new version require creating and logging into an account when previous versions did not?
RealVNC Connect Viewer (v8.4.0 and later) now includes account sign-in to improve transparency and security for you and your devices.
Requiring sign-in means you can see exactly who is accessing your devices — providing better protection and more confidence that everything is being used as intended.
You also get access to powerful features within RealVNC Connect, such as device list syncing and backup, Code Connect and in-session productivity tools like file transfer and remote printing.
Why has access to the old version been removed or restricted behind a subscription?
The latest RealVNC Connect Viewer offers new features and a more intuitive design, along with improved visibility of who is connecting to devices. We want to put it front and centre for everyone to experience.
At the same time, customers on Premium or Enterprise plans that need specific functionality — such as offline licensing — can download RealVNC Classic Viewer by signing in to the RealVNC Portal.
Can I still use this new version of RealVNC Connect Viewer for free?
Yes. You can keep using RealVNC Connect Viewer for free, either as part of a free 14-day trial or with a Lite Plan.
If I have to sign up for a paid plan, is there a discounted or grandfathered option for long-time free users?
The limitations of our free Lite version will continue to be available for those who are not interested in advanced features or paid plans.
Why is the old version no longer available for download?
RealVNC Connect Viewer is a major upgrade on our older version, designed to be easier to use and packed with new features. For most users it offers an improved overall experience.
However, some plan-specific features — such as offline licensing — require RealVNC Classic Viewer. To ensure those customers can access it, we've made it available to download from the RealVNC Portal.
Can users who preferred the previous experience still download or use it?
Only users on a Premium or Enterprise Team can download RealVNC Classic Viewer from the RealVNC Portal.
Will the older version continue to function, or will it be discontinued?
Version 7 of RealVNC Viewer is now referred to as RealVNC Classic Viewer. This version will continue to be supported for the foreseeable future and is not being discontinued.
While RealVNC Connect Viewer is our focus for ongoing improvements, Classic Viewer will remain available for the foreseeable future.
What data will be collected now that an account is required?
When you sign up for an account, we ask for your email address, first and last name and an optional phone number. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we process your data.
How will my data be stored and protected?
For information on how we store, manage and protect your data, see our Privacy Policy.
Do I have to stay signed in to use RealVNC Connect Viewer?
Yes. However, once you have signed in, the app will keep you signed in until you sign out again.
Does the new account system affect performance or connection speed?
Being signed in to RealVNC Connect Viewer or the RealVNC Connect (All-in-One) App does not impact performance or connection speed.
When you start a session using RealVNC's cloud-based brokering service, it will always try to establish a direct, peer-to-peer connection first. If that isn't possible, it will automatically fall back to our privately hosted cloud relay. This ensures a reliable, high-quality experience regardless of whether a device is on a local network or not.
Will my existing version still receive security updates?
This depends on the version of RealVNC Viewer you have installed. We always recommend running the latest version of either RealVNC Connect Viewer or RealVNC Classic Viewer, depending on your needs. For information on supported versions, see our Product Lifecycle Policy.
Is there a migration guide for users who want to switch to the new version?
Yes. See How Do I Update RealVNC Connect? in the Help Centre.
Who can I contact if the account requirement prevents access to machines I rely on?
Contact us via our website and our team will be happy to help.
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