Humble Viewer documentation

Secure remote desktop for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Humble Viewer lets you see and control another computer. One app does both jobs: it can control other machines, and it can let others control the machine it runs on. There are two ways to use it.

Direct (client to client) Two computers on the same network, VPN or port-forward. Type the other computer's address and its password. No server and no account.

With your own server Run humble-server to get 9-digit IDs that work through NAT, user accounts, device groups, access rules, a web dashboard, and installers that join the server automatically.

Where to start

Install the appWindows, macOS, Ubuntu, Arch and Omarchy. Connect and controlYour first session, the toolbar, files, chat. Unattended accessReach a computer when nobody is sitting at it. Linux terminal and consoleA command line or the text console of a Linux computer, with or without a desktop. Set up the serverOn Windows, Linux, macOS or Docker. Dashboard and deploymentUsers, groups, access, generated installers. TroubleshootingCommon problems and current limits.

The programs

Program	What it is	Who needs it
`humble`	The desktop app. Viewer, host, background service and command-line tool in one file.	Everyone who uses Humble regularly
`humble-support`	Humble Support: a small app for one-off help over the internet through the Humble public relay. No account, nothing installed, nothing left running.	Someone helping, or being helped, once
`humble-server`	The server: web dashboard, accounts, computer registry, access control and relay.	Only if you want IDs, accounts and managed computers

Four ways to use Humble

Situation	How
Two computers on the same network	Install `humble` on both. Connect by address with the one-time password shown on the other computer, or a permanent password set on it (Unattended access; the installer can add the background service). No server.
Helping someone once, over the internet	Both open Humble Support. The person being helped chooses My computer is being connected to and reads out an ID and password; the helper chooses I am connecting to another computer and types them. The Humble public relay connects the two through any router. The full app can connect to Humble Support the same way (type the ID without signing in).
Your own server, at home or in the office	Run `humble-server` on your network (Set up the server) and create an account: personal for your own computers, or an organization for several people. Add computers with Add this computer in the app or with installers from the dashboard (Dashboard and deployment).
A hosted server, over the internet	The same server reachable from the internet (with HTTPS). Computers connect out to it, so sessions work through home routers and mobile networks without opening ports. A public server can let anyone create an account (`--open-signup`).

What it can do

Remote control: mouse, keyboard and scrolling; switch between monitors; fit-to-window or original size; three quality presets.
Access: a one-time password that changes after each session, an optional permanent password for unattended access, and password-free access for people you grant it to on your server.
Files and clipboard: a two-sided file transfer window (your files and the remote computer's) to copy files and folders either way, and copy and paste text between the two computers.
Sound: hear what the remote computer plays, at a quality you choose.
Chat between the two sides.
View-only sessions.
Nearby computers on your local network are found automatically.
Server features: users, device groups, per-group access levels, two-factor sign-in, an audit log, and installers that enroll a computer by themselves.

Supported systems

System	App	Server	Notes
Windows 10 and 11	Yes	Yes	Most heavily tested platform.
Ubuntu and Debian	Yes	Yes	X11 and Wayland (GNOME).
Arch Linux	Yes	Yes	One package covers Arch and Omarchy.
Omarchy (Hyprland)	Yes	Yes	Wayland only. See the Wayland notes.
macOS 12 or later	Yes	Yes	Needs two privacy permissions. See macOS.

Every session is encrypted from end to end, including sessions that pass through your server. The server decides who may connect, but it cannot see the screen or the keystrokes. See Security.