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Charles Varvayanis
Computer and Communication Systems
Since 1990
(209) 586-3782
charles@varvayanis.com
Raspberry Pi Connect Setup
Step-by-step instructions for setting up Raspberry Pi Connect
These procedures apply to Raspberry Pi 5, 4 or 3 with Raspberry Pi OS (64-Bit), (32-Bit), (Legacy 64-Bit) or (Legacy 32-Bit).
General Notes
1. General:
The procedures below are optimized for setting up Raspberry Pi Connect on a Raspberry Pi 5, 4 or 3 with Raspberry Pi OS (64-Bit), (32-Bit), (Legacy 64-Bit) or (Legacy 32-Bit) runnig bookworm (debian 12), trixie (debian 13) and above.
2. Raspberry Pi Connect:
Raspberry Pi Connect runs on Raspberry Pi OS bookworm (debian 12), trixie (debian 13) and above, older versions of Raspberry Pi OS are not supported.
Raspberry Pi Connect is installed by default in newer Raspberry Pi OS bookworm (debian 12) installations, all trixie (debian 13) and above installations, but is disabled by default.
Raspberry Pi Connect can be enabled and setup during SD card setup as an option in Raspberry Pi Imager 2.0 (released in November 2025) and above.
3. Internet access during setup:
Many of the steps below assume and require the Raspberry Pi is connected to a network with access to the Internet.
Notice about updates, upgrades and installations failing due to repository or network congestion or outages
Occasionally updates, upgrades and installations fail due to repository or network congestion or outages.
Sometimes there is an appropriate message saying as such, sometimes a missing file is reported, and sometimes there is just a failure message without an explanation.
When this occurs, simply run the command again.
If that does not solve the issues immediately, try again later.
Contents:
Raspberry Pi OS Documentation
Connect to the Raspberry Pi
Update the Raspberry Pi OS and Components
Update the Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5 EEPROM Image Version
Install or update and setup Raspberry Pi Connect
Remove packages that automatically installed and are no longer required
Raspberry Pi OS Documentation
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/os.html
Connect to the Raspberry Pi
Via a Display, Keyboard and Mouse
- or -
Via SSH
Connect using the IP address or URL of the Raspberry Pi
Determine the Raspberry Pi IP Address:
Connect directly to the Raspberry Pi via a Display, Keyboard and Mouse, then open a Terminal window
sudo hostname -I
Use an IP Scanner tool such as Advanced IP Scanner on a PC or alike to locate the IP Address assigned to the Raspberry Pi
https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com
Login to your router and examine the IP address assignments, sometimes labeled "Connected Devices" or similar
Use the SSH command in your OS to connect to the Raspberry Pi or on Windows systems use a third party tool such as PuTTY
Note: The first time a connection is made, a security warning may be displayed | Yes
Update the Raspberry Pi OS and Components
Note:
Update Raspberry Pi software documentation: https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/os.html#update-software
Download the latest package lists
sudo apt update -y
Download and install the updated packages listed in the package lists
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
Update the Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5 EEPROM Image Version
Notes:
This tool only works with Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5. Raspberry Pi 3B+ and below have a ROM that can not be updated.
Update Raspberry Pi bootloader documentation: https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#update-the-bootloader-configuration
Check for a newer Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5 EEPROM image version and if found download and apply it
sudo rpi-eeprom-update -a
Select the latest Bootloader Version
sudo raspi-config
Advance Options | Bootloader Version | Latest | Yes | Finish | Would you like to reboot now? | Yes
Install or update and setup Raspberry Pi Connect
Notes:
Raspberry Pi Connect runs on Raspberry Pi OS bookworm (debian 12), trixie (debian 13) and above, older versions of Raspberry Pi OS are not supported.
Raspberry Pi Connect is installed by default in newer Raspberry Pi OS bookworm (debian 12) installations, all trixie (debian 13) and above installations, but is disabled by default.
However, it could have been enabled and setup during SD card setup as an option in Raspberry Pi Imager 2.0 (released in November 2025) and above.
If it was enabled and setup in Raspberry Pi Imager, it sould not require being enabled and setup here.
There is no danger in enabeling and seting it up again here.
Raspberry Pi Connect Screen sharing requires Wayland (Remote Graphics Support, A.K.A. compositor), the default for Raspberry Pi OS bookworm (debian 12), trixie (debian 13) and above, therefore does not work with X11.
Raspberry Pi Connect Remote shell does not use the compositor and will work with either Wayland or X11.
Raspberry Pi Connect documentation: https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/services/connect.html
Update Raspberry Pi OS and Components
Download the latest package lists
sudo apt update -y
Download and install the updated packages listed in the package lists
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
Install or update Raspberry Pi Connect as required
sudo apt install rpi-connect
Setup Raspberry Pi Connect
rpi-connect signin
"rpi-connect signin" will return a message similar to:
"Complete sign in by visiting https://connect.raspberrypi.com/verify/XXXX-XXXX"
Paste or type the provided URL into a browser on any device.
"Sign in with Raspberry Pi ID" or "Create one for free"
The Raspberry Pi has been automticaly added to your account when you see the message below on the Raspberry Pi:
✓ Signed in
Connect to the Raspberry Pi via Raspberry Pi Connect (Optional)
Note:
Connect to Raspberry Pi Connect documentation: https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/services/connect.html#access-your-device-in-connect
Connect to Raspberry Pi Connect
https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/connect
Usefull Raspberry Pi Connect Commands (Optional)
Raspberry Pi Connect Diagnostics
rpi-connect doctor
View Raspberry Pi Connect status
rpi-connect status
View Raspberry Pi Connect version
rpi-connect version
Disable Raspberry Pi Connect
rpi-connect off
Enable Raspberry Pi Connect
rpi-connect on
Remove packages that automatically installed and are no longer required
Occasionally excess update, upgrade and installation packages install automatically, but are no longer required. These can be removed automatically.
Automatically detect and remove packages no longer required
sudo apt autoremove -y
Charles Varvayanis
Sonora, CA 95370
e-mail: charles@varvayanis.com
Phone: (209) 586-3782
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