How to connect to Mac OS X using bVNC

This guide is for configuring Mac OS X for usage with bVNC Secure/Free bVNC Secure, but is completely applicable to any VNC client. Only the VNC client configuration would be different.

Ensure you have v3.5.0 of bVNC or newer for this method to work.

Please keep in mind that this method of connecting does not involve encryption and only protects your username and password with a Diffie-Hellman key exchange. There is no session privacy thereafter. To solve both of these problems bVNC Secure supports tunneling your VNC connection over SSH for enterprise-level security of both your authentication credentials and data. If you are concerned with security and privacy, follow my guide for Mac OS X on tunneling VNC over SSH with bVNC. Mac OS X supports tunnelling over SSH out of the box.

bVNC Secure is an Android and Blackberry Playbook/OS 10 application, available on Google Play and App World respectively. Find it on your mobile device or here:

Google Play, for devices running Android 2.2 and up, or here:

App World for BB Playbook and OS 10 devices.


0) Set up Remote Desktop on your Mac:
- Open System Preferences
- Click on Sharing
- Select the Screen Sharing checkbox (put a check-mark)
- Click on "Computer Settings..."

- Make sure the screen looks like the screen-shot above
- Click OK

1) Configure bVNC:
- Start bVNC
- Ensure "Connection Type" is set to Basic VNC
- Optionally name the connection something in Title
- Type the IP or host name of the computer you set up the first step
- Type the User name and Password of the Mac user you would like to connect with
- You may need to check "Local mouse pointer" in Advanced Settings, to see where the mouse pointer is
- Tap "Connect", and you should be in.