The Truth About How To Install Remote.it on Raspberry Pi For Free: A Step-by-Step Guide (Beginner-Friendly & Updated)

Remote.it offers a convenient way to remotely access your Raspberry Pi without complex port forwarding or VPN configurations. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step process to install Remote.it on your Raspberry Pi for free, ensuring a smooth and successful setup. Prepare to be surprised by its ease of use!

Prerequisites:

  • Raspberry Pi: Any Raspberry Pi model (Zero, 3, 4, 5) running a supported operating system (Raspberry Pi OS is recommended).

  • Internet Connection: Your Raspberry Pi needs a stable internet connection (wired or Wi-Fi).

  • Remote Access (Optional but Recommended): While you can connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor directly to your Pi, having SSH access enabled beforehand will make the process smoother, especially if you're setting up a headless Pi.

  • Remote.it Account: You'll need a free Remote.it account. Sign up at [https://remote.it](https://remote.it).

  • Basic Command-Line Knowledge: Don't worry, we'll provide the exact commands, but familiarity with copy-pasting and running commands in the terminal is helpful.

    • Tools You'll Need:

  • Computer with Internet Access: To access the Remote.it website and SSH into your Raspberry Pi (if using SSH).

  • SSH Client (if using SSH): PuTTY (Windows), Terminal (macOS/Linux), or similar.

    • Step-by-Step Installation Guide:

    1. Update Your Raspberry Pi: Before installing any new software, it's crucial to update your Raspberry Pi's operating system. This ensures you have the latest packages and security patches. Open a terminal (either directly on your Pi or via SSH) and run the following commands, one at a time:

    ```bash
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt upgrade
    ```

    The `sudo apt update` command refreshes the package lists, while `sudo apt upgrade` upgrades the installed packages to their newest versions. You'll likely be prompted to confirm the upgrade; type `y` and press Enter.

    2. Install the Remote.it Package: Remote.it provides a convenient installation script for Raspberry Pi. Execute the following command in your terminal:

    ```bash
    sudo apt install remoteit
    ```

    This command will download and install the `remoteit` package from the Raspberry Pi OS repositories. Again, you'll likely be prompted to confirm the installation; type `y` and press Enter.

    3. Configure Remote.it: After the installation is complete, you need to configure Remote.it and link it to your account. Run the following command:

    ```bash
    sudo remoteit login
    ```

    This command will prompt you to enter your Remote.it username (email address) and password. Enter them carefully.

    4. Register Your Raspberry Pi Device: Now, you need to register your Raspberry Pi as a device in your Remote.it account. Run this command:

    ```bash
    sudo remoteit device register
    ```

    The script will ask you to provide a name for your device. This name will be used to identify your Raspberry Pi on the Remote.it web interface. Choose a descriptive name, such as "MyRaspberryPi" or "HomeServerPi." It will also ask for a description, which is optional.

    5. Add a Remote.it Service: This is where you specify which services you want to access remotely. Common services include SSH, VNC, and web servers. To add a service, use the following command:

    ```bash
    sudo remoteit service add
    ```

    This command will guide you through adding a service. You'll be presented with a menu of options. Let's add SSH access, a common use case:

    * Select Service Type: Choose "SSH" (usually option 1 or 2).
    * Service Name: Give the service a name, like "SSH Access."
    * Port Number: The default SSH port is 22. Accept the default unless you've changed your SSH port.
    * Confirm: Review the settings and confirm.

    You can repeat this step to add other services like VNC (port 5900) or a web server (port 80 or 443).

    6. Access Your Raspberry Pi Remotely: Now that your Raspberry Pi is configured, log in to your Remote.it account at [https://remote.it](https://remote.it) from your computer. You should see your registered device listed. Click on the device, and you'll see the services you added (e.g., SSH Access). Click on the service you want to connect to.

    Remote.it will establish a secure connection to your Raspberry Pi. For SSH, it will provide you with a temporary local port number and hostname (e.g., `localhost:33000`). Open your SSH client (PuTTY, Terminal) and connect to `localhost` on the specified port.

    For other services, Remote.it may open a new browser tab with a connection to your Raspberry Pi's web server, or provide instructions for connecting with a specific application (like a VNC viewer).

    Troubleshooting Tips:

  • Check Internet Connection: Ensure your Raspberry Pi has a stable internet connection. Use `ping google.com` to verify.

  • Firewall Issues: If you're behind a restrictive firewall, it might be blocking Remote.it's connections. While Remote.it aims to bypass firewalls, some highly restrictive environments may still pose problems. Check your firewall settings.

  • Remote.it Service Status: Verify that the Remote.it service is running on your Raspberry Pi. Use the following command:

    • ```bash
    sudo systemctl status remoteit
    ```

    If the service is not running, start it with:

    ```bash
    sudo systemctl start remoteit
    ```

    And enable it to start automatically on boot:

    ```bash
    sudo systemctl enable remoteit
    ```

  • Incorrect Credentials: Double-check that you entered your Remote.it username and password correctly during the `sudo remoteit login` step.

  • Service Not Added Correctly: Verify that you added the service correctly with the correct port number. You can list your services using:

    • ```bash
    sudo remoteit service list
    ```

    If you need to remove a service, use:

    ```bash
    sudo remoteit service remove
    ```

    (Replace `` with the ID listed by `sudo remoteit service list`).

  • Remote.it Website Issues: Sometimes, the Remote.it website may experience temporary issues. Try again later.

Summary:

This guide provided a detailed, beginner-friendly approach to installing and configuring Remote.it on your Raspberry Pi. By following these steps, you can easily access your Raspberry Pi remotely without the complexities of traditional port forwarding. Remember to keep your Raspberry Pi's software updated and consult the Remote.it documentation for more advanced features and troubleshooting. Enjoy the freedom of remote access!