Introduction: How to Use IOS Devices As a Monitor of Raspberry Pi
If you are watching this tutorial, then you must know about Raspberry Pi and its use. So without making more delay let's start this Instructable. But before that, I want to clarify something:
1. I have used Raspbian OS in this case.
2. It is one of the many ways by which you can get the same result. So if you don't feel comfortable you can use other methods also. Please let me know the process in which you are comfortable in.
3. The apps I have used is available in app Center and found these very helpful and easy to use. Feel free to tell me what are the other software that can be used.
4. The whole process will take about 2-3 minutes, though it mainly depends on your internet connection speed.
5. We have also made three other instructables about the following topics based on Raspberry PI -
- How to install operating system in Raspberry PI. -
- How to use android device as a monitor for Raspberry PI. -
- How to use Linux based laptop as Raspberry PI monitor -
Check these out if you are interested.
6. We have a separate video demonstrating the whole process. Here's the link:
Step 1: Install Operating System in PI
You can skip this step if you have installed the OS already in the Pi.
If yes then go to step 2 or else look the complete OS installing instructions in this link that I uploaded.
Step 2: Download Required Apps
You have to download following two apps from ios app store -
- VNC Viewer
- vSSH Lite
After downloading these go to step 3
Step 3: Power Up Pi and Connect With Router
Connect USB power adapter to your Pi (5V-2A recommended).
Connect the Ethernet port of Pi to the LAN port of your router.
Step 4: Find Your Raspberry Pi IP Address
Open your browser.
Go to your router IP (for me, it was 192.168.0.1. You can find it on the router sticker.)
Login to your router settings
Search for LAN ports.
Find Raspberry Pi in the list and note the IP address (for me, it was 198.162.0.103.)
Step 5: Create SSH Connection With Your PI
Now open vSSH Lite app.
- Tap on '+' icon to add a new connection.
- Give any name to the new connection. Example - pi.
- Check SSH.
- Type the IP of PI in the host part.
- Port is 22 by default.
- Type in "pi" as username and "raspberry" as password.
- Click on save and then tap on the newly created connection with name Pi.
- Now you are logged in to your PI.
- Type in the command - "sudo apt-get install tightvncserver" (Exclude " ")
- When installation is completed again type "tightvncserver" and return.
- It will ask for a password. Give the password and give it again to verify. Remember the password.
- Note down the desktop number. Here it is 1.
Look at the screenshots for reference.
Step 6: Use Vnc Viewer to View PI Screen in Your Ios Device
Open VNC Viewer app.
Go to settings and create a new connection to the IP address of your PI. Give a colon after your IP address and type in your desktop number. like this -
"192.168.0.106:1". For you it will be different.
Click on connect. If any security warning comes ignore that and continue. This is not harmful so be relaxed.
After that the app will ask that password which you have given in last step. Give that and continue.
BINGO!! Now you are on the monitor of your raspberry.
So that's it. I have tried to write in brief because you can get the whole thing if you go through the pics provided step by step. In spite of that if you face any error or any difficulty in completing the process feel free to ask me in the comment.
Take a look at our Youtube cannel 'Being Engineers' - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpB6R5qY3ZQt00C5K...
Thank you.
34 Comments
4 months ago on Step 4
Also (depending on the OS but most Linux package managers have it) you could also use ifconfig. It’s like the Linux equivalent of ipconfig on Windows.
Question 1 year ago on Step 5
How can I start over setting up a monitor for my raspberry pi
2 years ago on Step 6
How can I find the IP of the Pi. I typed ifconfig command. But it shows something like :15:45:... but not the 192:168:...
2 years ago on Step 4
Hi The vSSH Lite is not available in app store. can we use any other ssh client? Termius?
I want to access the command prompt of the Pi on Iphone on the move. So I cannot keep connecting the pi with router. Is it possible?
Question 3 years ago
VNC Viewer - can someone explain where I can find my desktop number?
Question 4 years ago on Step 6
When trying to connect, it times out. We followed your instructions- any suggestions???
Answer 3 years ago
If your connection times out, this means you probably used the wrong IP address.
4 years ago
Hi and this tutorial is great! i am successfully doing this with a 3B+ and original ipad.
one problem i have though is that if HDMI is not connected, i get no display at all.
i really want the option of only using the ipad for a display. have i missed something? it works great except for that.
thanks!
Question 5 years ago
Another user has already asked but... is there an alternative to vSSH LITE for IPhone?
5 years ago
is there a recommended alternative app for vssh lite? It doesn't seem to be available anymore than
6 years ago
Is there any way that I could use the iPhone permanently as a monitor? i.e. it won't be able to leave the app?
Reply 6 years ago
Use 'Guided Access' feature of iOS. Just open any app and then turn on Guided Access. You can also password protect the the Home/Power/Volume buttons and any touch interactions.
6 years ago
help, I was able to connect vSSH lite to my pi but once connected it would not allow me to type in any commands. any suggestions?
6 years ago
Nice tutorial, first thing I have done with my RPI 0. Thanks! Now to see if there is a way to get an external keyboard and mouse to work with it as well.
6 years ago
Great tutorial. Thank you for making this! The pictures were a great addition to the steps.
6 years ago
Hi! Nice tutorial.
I want to use the ipad as a screen and still use the pi's keyboard and mouse. I cant seem to do that. Can you help?
Thanks!
6 years ago
This was the first thing my son wanted to do after setting up his new pi. We connected to our wifi network and used the command "sudo ip addr show" while connected to the pi. Also, we had trouble connecting with vSSH until we enabled SSH in preferences. After that, worked like a dream!
Reply 6 years ago
Yeah, In the latest version of raspbian you have to enable SSH first. At the time I did it was not required.
6 years ago
Favorited and definitely will do this trick in the future. Good Job!
Reply 6 years ago
Thanks :)