How to Install RustDesk Remote Desktop Server on Ubuntu 25.10

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RustDesk is a free, open-source remote desktop application that supports multiple platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It provides secure end-to-end encryption, smooth performance, and an easy setup with minimal configuration. RustDesk also supports file transfer and a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for both personal and business use.

Prerequisites

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Before starting, ensure the following:

• Ubuntu 25.10 server deployed (e.g., on Vultr, CrownCloud, or similar)
• A domain or subdomain pointing to your server
• Docker and Docker Compose installed
• SSH access as a sudo user

Install Docker

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If Docker is not already installed, run the following commands:

apt update
apt install -y docker.io
systemctl start docker
systemctl enable docker

Next, install Docker Compose:

curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
docker-compose --version

Install RustDesk Server

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Create a directory for RustDesk files:

mkdir -p /opt/rustdesk
cd /opt/rustdesk

Create Docker Compose configuration:

nano rustdesk.yml

Add the following configuration to the file:

version: '3'

networks:
  rustdesk-net:
    external: false

services:
  hbbs:
    container_name: hbbs
    ports:
      - 21115:21115
      - 21116:21116
      - 21116:21116/udp
      - 21118:21118
    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
    command: hbbs -r 127.0.0.1:21117 -k _
    volumes:
      - ./hbbs:/root
    networks:
      - rustdesk-net
    depends_on:
      - hbbr
    restart: unless-stopped

  hbbr:
    container_name: hbbr
    ports:
      - 21117:21117
      - 21119:21119
    image: rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest
    command: hbbr -k _
    volumes:
      - ./hbbr:/root
    networks:
      - rustdesk-net
    restart: unless-stopped

Save and close the file (Ctrl + O, Enter, Ctrl + X).

Start the RustDesk containers:

docker-compose -f rustdesk.yml up -d

Output:

root@server:/opt/rustdesk# docker-compose -f rustdesk.yml up -d
WARN[0000] /opt/rustdesk/rustdesk.yml: the attribute `version` is obsolete, it will be ignored, please remove it to avoid potential confusion
[+] Running 5/5
 ✔ hbbs Pulled                                                             2.4s
 ✔ hbbr Pulled                                                             2.4s
   ✔ 9e455e83a929 Pull complete                                            0.7s
   ✔ cf1dc9594c7d Pull complete                                            0.9s
   ✔ 4f3b5a2b0508 Pull complete                                            0.9s
[+] Running 3/3
 ✔ Network rustdesk_rustdesk-net  Creat...                                 0.2s
 ✔ Container hbbr                 Started                                  0.8s
 ✔ Container hbbs                 Started                                  1.4s

Verify containers are running:

docker ps

Output:

root@server:/opt/rustdesk# docker ps
CONTAINER ID   IMAGE                             COMMAND                  CREATED              STATUS              PORTS                                                                                                                                                                       NAMES
d5b872220b99   rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest   "hbbs -r 127.0.0.1:2…"   About a minute ago   Up About a minute   0.0.0.0:21115-21116->21115-21116/tcp, [::]:21115-21116->21115-21116/tcp, 0.0.0.0:21118->21118/tcp, [::]:21118->21118/tcp, 0.0.0.0:21116->21116/udp, [::]:21116->21116/udp   hbbs
b03247a3c28b   rustdesk/rustdesk-server:latest   "hbbr -k _"              About a minute ago   Up About a minute   0.0.0.0:21117->21117/tcp, [::]:21117->21117/tcp, 0.0.0.0:21119->21119/tcp, [::]:21119->21119/tcp                                                                            hbbr

Secure the Server with Nginx

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Install Nginx:

apt install -y nginx

Configure Firewall:

ufw allow 80/tcp
ufw enable
ufw reload

Create Nginx configuration file:

nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/rust.domainhere.info.conf

Add the following content (replace rust.domainhere.info with your actual domain):

server {
    listen 80;
    listen [::]:80;

    server_name rust.domainhere.info;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:21117;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
    }
}

Test and restart Nginx:

nginx -t
systemctl restart nginx

View RustDesk Server Public Key

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RustDesk uses encryption keys for secure connections. To view your server’s public key:

cat /opt/rustdesk/hbbs/id_ed25519.pub

Output:

kKXp1RaSJZBmRPMTjyZGeWt0SEXGaWiOan48FCDm+3w=root@server:/opt/rustdesk#

Secure Nginx with SSL (Let's Encrypt)

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Install Certbot:

apt install -y certbot python3-certbot-nginx

Obtain and configure SSL certificate:

certbot --nginx -d rust.domainhere.info

Follow the prompts to complete SSL installation.

Verify Nginx configuration:

nginx -t
systemctl reload nginx

Configure RustDesk Client

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1. Download the RustDesk client from the official website.
2. Install and open the client.
3. Go to Settings → ID/Relay Server.
4. In ID Server, enter your domain (e.g., rust.domainhere.info).
5. In Key, paste the server’s public key.
6. Save settings and connect.

Test the RustDesk Server

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1. Install the RustDesk client on your local computer.
2. Open and configure it with your server details (domain + key).
3. Enter the remote machine’s ID.
4. Click Connect to establish a secure session.

You now have a fully functional and secure RustDesk Remote Desktop Server running on Ubuntu 25.10, with HTTPS protection and end-to-end encryption.