Switching between monitors while connected to a remote device running RealVNC Server
By default, RealVNC Viewer will show all monitors connected to the remote computer. However, with RealVNC Viewer 7.1.0 and later, you can switch between monitors using the monitor icons on the toolbar at the top of the session window.
This feature can only be used on desktops (Windows, Mac and Linux) which are listed as a supported platform. Switching monitors is not currently supported on RealVNC Viewer for Mobile.
You can choose to either select a particular monitor to view:
or cycle through monitors:
Please note, the selected monitor is not saved between sessions and will need to be selected each time you connect.
In earlier versions of RealVNC Viewer (6.20.113 to 7.0.1), this feature is available by pressing the the F8 key on your keyboard (or Fn + F8) and choosing "Select Monitor".
Switching between monitors during an On-Demand Assist session
Starting with RealVNC Viewer 7.1.0 and On-Demand Assist 2.1.0, technicians can switch between monitors during an On-Demand Assist session.
When connected to a device with multiple monitors, you can use the monitor icons in the toolbar at the top of the session to select a particular monitor to view:
or cycle through monitors:
Comments
Is there a way to ONLY set ONE monitor as the viewable monitor, and not be able to select other monitors? Example, if you have 2 monitors, the main monitor and a 2nd monitor. Can you setup the server just for #2 and not allow the viewers to view the #1 main monitor?
Hi Thomas,
Yes, you can do this by adjusting the applicable VNC Server parameter, shown below:
Windows: DisplayDevice (https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002251297#server-displaydevice)
Mac/Linux: Monitor (https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002251297#server-monitor)
Hi,
I have a setup with 3 monitors (laptop + external monitors). I want to run the VNC viewer in full screen on 2 of the monitors, not one as in the example above. Is that possible? And if not, is it something that can be implemented?
Hi Christian,
This isn't currently possible but I will add your vote on our feature request system. Have a great day!
Is there a way to set the setting to all monitors, and then disable the ability to modify the setting when you right-click the bar at the top of the VNC Viewer window? (there is a "Select Monitor" option - we'd like to have that setting restricted to force certain machines to use all monitors)
Was 'Select Monitor' removed? I am using versions past the mentioned versions and the option is not in the 'F8' menu.
Hi Steve,
Select monitor is still available, but required VNC Server to be licensed with a Professional or Enterprise subscription. If you have a Professional or Enterprise subscription and still cannot see the option, please contact our Support team here: https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Hi Jared,
This isn't possible currently so I will open a feature request on your behalf
Did not know that. Thank you for answering that for me. Lucy's post is all I've found on the Multiple Monitor feature. But I over read that it is a paid member feature.
I would also like to (NEED to) run the VNC viewer in full screen on 2 of the 3 monitors (as mentioned above). My headless linux box has one double wide dummy monitor. I need to span it full screen across two of my monitors. Thanks for the help!
I found a workaround. Display Fusion.
https://superuser.com/a/1188573/514658
Hi... the multi monitor support is great. Any possibility for some hot keys? F-8 8 (up on keypad) , f-8 4 (left on keypad) , f-8 6 (right on keypad), f-8 2 (down on keypad would keep the arrow keys free with "Num Lock" engaged... its time consuming to "f-8" and then drive a menu down w the mouse... Thanks -b
It was great until they break it again and again!!!
Hi Bogdan,
Thanks for your comment, we're sorry to hear you've been having issues with this feature. We unfortunately did introduce a bug regarding this feature with VNC Server 7.0.0, which has now been resolved with the release of VNC Server 7.0.1.
If you continue to experience any issues with your use of VNC Connect please don't hesitate to contact our support team here: https://help.realvnc.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Kind regards,
Jack
Can we simply have a default to display one monitor on initial connection, with an option in the realvnc toolbar to switch between views (eg monitor 1,2,1+2 or a toggle. I really like realvnc, but the default to display all monitors is frustrating and counter-productive. This really needs action. thanks!
Hi Tim,
We've just released VNC Viewer 7.1.0 which moves the monitor selection controls to the toolbar. The functionality under the hood is largely the same, but we have further improvements underway in this area! I don't have any timeframes I can share at this time, however.
Thanks,
Jack
This doesn't seem to relate to the Android client at all which looks very different in terms of interface and has a much more limited feature set. Am I right? Can you confirm and if so please update it. I don't see how I can switch between monitors on that client.
Hi Adam,
Monitor selection is currently only available when using VNC Viewer on a desktop platform.
Thanks,
Jack
Hello all,
I am using the latest version of VNC 7.1.0 (r49525) x64, and am having an issue I cannot seem to resolve. Maybe I can get some help here. I am using this version of VNC with Meraki. More times than not I am remoting into a machine with multiple monitors, I want to have it open to one monitor, then be able to switch between monitors. I see in this thread that switching between monitors is an option, however, my VNC does not give that option, the buttons are not present on the tool bar. I have reached out to Meraki for help and they are trying to find a way for this to work, but so far have been unsuccessful. I have some screenshots of my situation. But cannot upload them here. Can you tell me what i need to do to turn this option on please.
Hi, I have two monitors in the server, and two monitors in the viewer, I want to view the server monitor using each of monitor in the viewer. Therefore, I duplicate the server, and open the server twice. But both of them can only connect one monitor at the same. Is it possible to connect individual monitor in server?
Hi, I could switch monitors in the server using VNC viewer in my windows computer but I don't have these options using VNC viewer in my mac labtop (os 11.2.2). Is this function available for mac? I installed the latest VNC viewer version (7.5). It doesn't show in the tool bar or with F8.
Hi Marco,
Thanks for posting. This option is only available when connecting to RealVNC Server. Connecting to VNC Servers developed by other developers will not work with the monitor selection feature in RealVNC Viewer.
Kind regards,
Jack
What's the shortcut for "Switch to next monitor"?
Hi, I want to monitor all my PCs on Domain. I want to Monitor in real time by using VNC, But how I can do that, I mean I want to view all sessions on screen like camera recording
Please sign in to leave a comment.