# RustDesk Remote Desktop — Remote access and control

> Open-source remote desktop application for controlling other computers. (iPhone/iPad app by Purslane Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rustdesk-remote-desktop/id1581225015 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Purslane Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/666983468)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 73 App Store ratings · 94 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 62 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-08-21
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rustdesk-remote-desktop/id1581225015/reviews.md

## What is RustDesk Remote Desktop?

An open-source remote desktop application. The open source TeamViewer alternative.

Source code: https://github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk

Doc: https://rustdesk.com/docs


Please be reminded that this app only has the ability to control, and it does not have the functionality of being controlled or screen sharing.


WARNING: YOU MAY BE BEING SCAMMED!

If you are on the phone with someone you DON'T know AND TRUST who has asked you to install RustDesk,

do not install and hang up immediately.

They are likely a scammer trying to steal your money or other private information.

## Key features

- Open-source remote desktop
- Remote access and control
- TeamViewer alternative
- Control other devices

## What do users think of RustDesk Remote Desktop?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🚀 Fast connection and performance
- 🌟 Open source and free
- 💡 Self-hosting capability
- 👍 Easy to set up and use
- ⚡️ Low input lag
- ✅ Works on multiple platforms
- 💰 Great alternative to paid software
- 🖥️ Good for personal and company use
- 🖱️ Supports gestures like 3-finger scrolling

**Cons**

- 🔋 Phone heats up
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance on iOS/iPadOS
- 🚫 Lacks mouse acceleration
- 📱 Poor compatibility with older iOS versions
- ⚠️ Some users report data collection (location, identifiers)
- 💻 Issues with Wayland servers
- 🖱️ Mouse pointer misalignment
- 🤔 Difficult to reconfigure mouse controls
- ⌨️ Keyboard input issues (repeating keys, not registering)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Recent update broke iPad mouse alignment
- No image displayed from PC (black screen)
- Remember Password function doesn't work
- Black screen when remoting into Raspberry Pi Linux server (Wayland)
- Keyboard issues when remoting from iPhone to PC
- Cannot control Mac
- iPad app fails to connect or shows key mismatch error
- App crashes or becomes unresponsive
- Connection issues over mobile data network
- Session closes after a short period
- Key presses duplicated or not registered with external keyboard
- Settings/Preferences not preserved
- iOS language icon covers toolbar collapse icon
- Previous direct IP sessions not saved
- Enter key does not work in address bar
- Copy/Paste broken
- Latest update deleted saved connections
- App not responding after update
- Connection Error, Operation not permitted (error 1) on iOS
- Mouse overflows monitor content, preventing clicks on edges
- Double-clicking behavior in touch mouse/pad options
- App launches but window vanishes on old iPads
- Crash on app startup (v1.2.7, iOS 12.2)
- Cannot paste remote ID by holding text input
- iOS client attempting to control Android results in frozen interface
- Cannot control Windows PC typing from iPhone
- Version 1.2.7 has issues on iPad (cannot launch)
- Address book empty on Pro version
- Arrow keys do not function like a desktop keyboard
- Phone heats up during use
- Mouse pointer on desktop and iPad not lined up
- Flakey behavior with keyboard and trackpad on iPad
- Scaling displays issues on iPad
- Key mismatch error with iPad app
- Virtual machine control issues (keyboard repeats or fails to register)
- Mobile network connection issues
- Cannot connect over mobile data network
- UI icon not centered

**Most requested features**

- Add option to view and modify USB drives in file transfer mode
- Improve mouse and keyboard control configurability
- Allow Apple Pencil to function as a mouse
- Support iPhone remote control of each other
- Add option to automatically switch display/monitor to follow remote window focus
- Sync remote ID list by iCloud
- Improve Wayland support
- Add option to change two-finger gesture behavior (scroll vs. move canvas)
- Center remote screen when zooming
- Remap controls for mouse actions
- Integrate arrow keys with device keyboard
- Support iPhone to Android control
- Support Windows remote typing from iPhone

## Recent user reviews (10 of 94)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rustdesk-remote-desktop/id1581225015/reviews.md

### 5/5 — The BEST option

*2026-07-02*

This is the best remote desktop app for any use i’ve ever used and I’ve tried them all!!! They even let you self-host it for an even faster experience!

### 5/5 — Better than TeamViewer

*2026-06-27*

Not sure why this app has such low reviews; if I had to guess, it’s probably because some people don’t understand what this app is for. If you self host your own Rustdesk server, this app is perfect. It does everything the TeamViewer app can do, plus you aren’t being tracked and sold to by TeamViewer. This app does everything I could ever want a Remote Desktop app to do.

### 4/5 — The best remote desktop software

*2026-06-21*

This is the best and most compatible remote software I’ve used. There is only pros and one cons. The pros are it’s stable, it works with private self hosted setups, and it works with Mac, Linux, and Windows with no issues. The only con is, it makes the phone hot after using it for a while.

### 5/5 — Best app ever for a replacement of realvnc

*2026-06-12*

This is it, the best realvnc replacement ever. This app is the first thing I install on my devices so I can remote into them

### 5/5 — Excellent features

*2026-06-08*

So far I like everything about this app and feels superior to TeamViewer

### 5/5 — 원격제어 최고의 앱

*2026-04-17*

무료로 유지해주셔서 정말 감사합니다🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀항상 행복하세요

### 3/5 — Hot phone

*2026-04-14*

Great fast connection, but it lacks mouse acceleration and makes my iPhone heat up.

### 5/5 — Incredible and Open!

*2026-03-21*

This app truly embodies the spirit of open source software. I just started getting into developing, and needed a way to remote into my Mac from iPad and iPhone. I launched a website from an airplane with this app.

There is nothing remotely comparable - let alone for free! There was real intention and intelligence put into the design of this app. And to utilize free public relays for it is just awesome. I’ll be getting my own server configured when I get back home - or maybe I’ll do it remotely via RustDeck!

### 3/5 — recent update broke ipad mouse

*2026-03-15*

I use this regularly with my ipad, and the most recent update caused it to be more difficult to you use. The mouse on my pointer on my desktop and pointer on my ipad aren’t lined up anymore and I can’t figure out how to get them lined back up.

### 5/5 — Amazing!

*2026-03-07, version 1.4.5*

Thank you for making this, exactly what I needed and works flawlessly 🙌

## Frequently asked questions about RustDesk Remote Desktop

### What does RustDesk Remote Desktop do?

RustDesk Remote Desktop is an open-source application that allows you to access and control other computers remotely. It functions as an alternative to popular remote desktop solutions like TeamViewer.

### What are the key features of this app?

The primary feature is its ability to provide remote desktop access and control. It is built with an open-source philosophy and is designed to be a direct alternative to commercial remote access software.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the application is open-source and provided for free. There are no mentioned in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a completely free usage model.

### Can I use this app to share my screen or be controlled by others?

No, the description explicitly states that this app only has the ability to control other devices. It does not include functionality for being controlled or for screen sharing.

### Who is the target audience for RustDesk?

This app is intended for users who require remote desktop capabilities, especially those who prefer open-source solutions or are seeking an alternative to paid remote access software. It's for individuals or businesses needing to manage computers remotely.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.9 — 2026-07-06

- Support controller user attribution in audit logs #15407
- Feature: Restore the last viewed monitor on auto reconnect #15441
- auto-close terminal tab/window when shell exits #15448
- Add authentication details to connection audit #15456
- fix: non-E2EE show dialog #15514

### 1.4.8 — 2026-06-20

- Fix OS: autocorrect/data detectors corrupt the server Key field (ID/Relay Server settings), making valid keys impossible (or very hard) to enter #15293
- Fix(ios): mouse mismatch #15339
- Fix scrolling problem iPad + Magic Keyboard

### 1.4.7 — 2026-06-03

- fix(iOS): preserve local pasteboard sync from Windows hosts #14659
- fix(iPad): keep touch gestures with external mouse #14652
- fix: iPad mouse down detection for physical mouse input #14515
- fix(mobile): restore canvas offset after hidding the soft keyboard #14506

### 1.4.6 — 2026-03-10

improve the keyboard and mouse support

### 1.4.5 — 2026-01-14

add float control command bar for terminal

## Apps similar to RustDesk Remote Desktop

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AnyViewer Remote Desktop](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anyviewer-remote-desktop/id1587645457) | 3.8 (227) | Free | Utilities |
| [Remote Desktop Manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-desktop-manager/id1039961293) | 3.7 (98) | Free | Utilities |
| [ServerBox](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/serverbox/id1586449703) | 4.9 (88) | Free | Utilities |
| [AirDroid Remote Support](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airdroid-remote-support/id1502345783) | 2.9 (36) | Free | Utilities |
| [atvTools](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atvtools/id1661419573) | 4.8 (166) | $0.99 | Utilities |
| [PC Remote](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pc-remote/id919061355) | 3.2 (301) | Free | Utilities |

## Related topics

[rustdesk](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rustdesk) · [rustdesk remote desktop](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rustdesk-remote-desktop) · [linux remote](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/linux-remote) · [remote desktop software](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/remote-desktop-software) · [rudesktop](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/rudesktop) · [utm remote virtual machines](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/utm-remote-virtual-machines) · [nvdaremote](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nvdaremote) · [tracertrak remote worker app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/tracertrak-remote-worker-app) · [dwarf fortress remote](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dwarf-fortress-remote) · [avica remote desktop](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/avica-remote-desktop) · [realvnc connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/realvnc-connect) · [remote access plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/remote-access-plus) · [monitoring app remote](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/monitoring-app-remote) · [android remote device](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/android-remote-device) · [anyviewer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/anyviewer) · [pics pro remote viewer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pics-pro-remote-viewer) · [escritorio remoto anydesk](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/escritorio-remoto-anydesk) · [ericsson remote access](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ericsson-remote-access) · [dameware remote everywhere](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dameware-remote-everywhere) · [anydesk](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/anydesk)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*