AnyDesk

AnyDesk is a proprietary remote desktop application for viewing and controlling Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile devices over the internet, used by help-desk technicians, MSPs and home users who need to reach another screen quickly. If you came here for an AnyDesk download, know the licence first: the client is free to download, but AnyDesk is shareware (conditionally free). No-cost use is limited to private, non-commercial purposes; any work-related use needs a paid licence.

The developer, AnyDesk Software GmbH in Stuttgart, ships new builds every few weeks, and every platform has its own version line. Current Windows and macOS builds also bundle chat, meetings and a whiteboard next to the remote desktop under the AnyDesk One name. This page looks at AnyDesk from the remote-access side: what has to be open on the network, how to prepare a machine for unattended access, and where the free tier stops.

AnyDesk at a glance

What it does

• Attended sessions: the remote side reads out its AnyDesk ID or alias and accepts the request, with per-session permissions for keyboard and mouse, clipboard, file access and audio.
• Unattended Access protected by a password, with optional two-factor authentication on the remote device.
• File transfer through a file manager view and through clipboard copy and paste between machines.
• TCP tunnelling, which forwards a port through an active session so you can reach a service on the remote network.
• LAN Discovery that lists other AnyDesk clients on the local network.
• Address book, session recording and Wake-on-LAN, with the exact feature set depending on the plan.
• Runs installed or as a portable executable; a command-line interface covers silent install, password setup and ID lookup.

How IT teams use it

Prepare a Windows PC for unattended access

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt in the folder that contains the AnyDesk executable.
2. Install silently and start the service with Windows:

   AnyDesk.exe --install "C:Program Files (x86)AnyDesk" --start-with-win --silent

3. Set the Unattended Access password (administrator rights required):

   echo Str0ng-Unique-Pass | "C:Program Files (x86)AnyDeskAnyDesk.exe" --set-password

4. Record the ID. The --get-id output does not print to the console, so capture it in a batch file:

   @echo off
   for /f "delims=" %%i in ('"C:Program Files (x86)AnyDeskAnyDesk.exe" --get-id') do set ID=%%i
   echo AnyDesk ID is: %ID%

5. Store the ID and password in your password manager, not in a ticket.

Remember that unattended access to a work machine is commercial use and needs a licence.

Let AnyDesk through a corporate firewall

1. Allow outbound TCP on at least one of the ports AnyDesk uses: 6568, 443 or 80.
2. Allow-list *.net.anydesk.com on the proxy or DNS filter.
3. Keep that domain out of TLS inspection; broken certificates are a common reason for sessions that connect and then drop.
4. Only if you want LAN Discovery, allow UDP 50001–50003 to the multicast address 239.255.102.18.

Security teams that do not allow AnyDesk at all use the same list in reverse: block *.net.anydesk.com and the executable in application control.

Clean up after a one-off session

1. When a temporary install is no longer needed, remove it silently from an elevated prompt:

   "C:Program Files (x86)AnyDeskAnyDesk.exe" --remove

2. Use --uninstall instead if you want the user to see a confirmation dialog.
3. Check the Unattended Access list in your address book and delete stale entries.

Install and first run

Windows. The same executable can run portable or install itself. Installing adds a background service, which is what lets AnyDesk handle UAC prompts, the sign-in screen and reboots; that needs local administrator rights. The default path is C:Program Files (x86)AnyDesk.

macOS. After the first launch, grant Screen Recording and Accessibility in System Settings → Privacy & Security. Without them the remote side sees the screen but cannot control it, or sees nothing at all.

Linux and Raspberry Pi. AnyDesk publishes DEB and RPM packages plus a generic archive. Unattended use relies on the AnyDesk system service, so check that it is enabled after installation.

Android and iOS. The mobile apps can control other devices. Being controlled is more limited: on Android it depends on the device and may require an extra control plugin or accessibility permission, and iOS supports screen sharing rather than full control.

Common gotchas. HTTPS inspection and strict egress rules break sessions. In February 2024 AnyDesk reported a compromise of its production systems and revoked its old code-signing certificate, so replace installers saved before then. Tech-support scammers often ask victims to install AnyDesk; tell users never to install it at the request of an unsolicited caller.

Limitations

• The free tier covers private use only. AnyDesk analyses usage patterns and can restrict clients it considers commercial; a whitelist request form exists for users who were wrongly flagged.
• Sessions are brokered by AnyDesk’s network; keeping traffic fully inside your own infrastructure requires the separately licensed on-premises edition.
• Version numbers differ between platforms, which complicates patch tracking in mixed fleets.
• Because scammers abuse it, many corporate security policies block AnyDesk by default, so you may need an exception before you can support users.
• Central management, mass deployment and custom clients are tied to paid plans.

AnyDesk vs alternatives

TeamViewer is the closest commercial rival and is also shareware with a personal-use tier; it has a broader management and enterprise stack. RustDesk is open source and can run on your own relay server, which removes the commercial-use question and the dependency on a vendor’s network. Chrome Remote Desktop is free for any use but has no fleet management or session recording. HopToDesk is a free, open-source option that also allows business use.

FAQ

Is AnyDesk free?

Only for personal, non-commercial use. Supporting colleagues or customers, or reaching your own office PC from home, counts as commercial use and needs a paid licence, so AnyDesk is shareware (conditionally free).

Is there AnyDesk for Mac?

Yes. The macOS version is 9.8.0 (September 2026). Grant Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions after installing, or remote control will not work.

Can AnyDesk run without installing?

Yes, the Windows executable runs portable. Without installation it cannot interact with UAC prompts or survive a reboot, so install it for unattended access.

AnyDesk vs TeamViewer: which should I pick?

Both are proprietary, both are free only for personal use, and both cover attended and unattended support. AnyDesk is lighter and simpler; TeamViewer has more management, integration and enterprise features.

AnyDesk vs RustDesk?

RustDesk is open source and can be self-hosted, which suits teams that want control over their relay and no licence checks. AnyDesk is more polished and comes with vendor support.

AnyDesk vs Chrome Remote Desktop?

Chrome Remote Desktop is free for any purpose and needs only a Google account, but it has no address book, team management or session recording. AnyDesk offers more support features but restricts free use to private purposes.

Which ports does AnyDesk need?

Outbound TCP 6568, 443 or 80 (one is enough), plus access to *.net.anydesk.com. UDP 50001–50003 is only used for LAN Discovery.

How do I find my AnyDesk ID from a script?

Run the executable with --get-id and capture the output in a batch file or PowerShell, because it does not print directly to the console.

Last checked against official sources: 1 October 2026 (developer website: anydesk.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in production.