Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about 9Remote.
General
Is 9Remote free?
Yes! 9Remote is completely free and open source. No subscriptions, no hidden fees.
Do I need a public IP address?
No! That's the beauty of 9Remote. Cloudflare tunnel handles all the networking automatically. No port forwarding, no firewall configuration needed.
What operating systems are supported?
Server (where you install CLI):
- macOS
- Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.)
- Windows (with Node.js)
Client (where you connect from):
- Any device with a modern browser
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
Is there a limit on sessions?
No limits! Create as many terminal sessions as you need. Run multiple features simultaneously.
Security
Is 9Remote secure?
Yes. All connections are encrypted through Cloudflare tunnel. Your data travels through secure HTTPS connections.
Who can access my computer?
Only people with your access key can connect. Keep your key private, and regenerate it if you think it's been compromised.
Can I use it on public WiFi?
Yes, it's safe. All traffic is encrypted. However, for sensitive work, we recommend using a VPN as an extra layer of security.
What about one-time keys?
One-time keys expire after 30 minutes or one use (whichever comes first). Perfect for temporary access or sharing with others.
Technical
What is Cloudflare tunnel?
Cloudflare tunnel creates a secure connection between your computer and the internet without exposing your IP address or opening ports. It's like a VPN, but automatic and built-in.
Why do I need Node.js?
The 9Remote CLI is built with Node.js. It's required to run the server on your computer.
Can I use a custom domain?
Not currently, but it's on our roadmap. For now, all connections go through remote.9router.com.
Does it support IPv6?
Yes, Cloudflare tunnel supports both IPv4 and IPv6.
How much bandwidth does it use?
- Terminal: Very little (< 1 MB/hour)
- Remote Desktop: 5-50 MB/hour depending on quality
- File Explorer: Minimal, only when loading files
Usage
How do I stop the server?
Press Ctrl+C in the terminal where the server is running.
Can I run it in the background?
Yes, but you'll need to use a process manager like pm2 or run it in a screen/tmux session:
# Using screen
screen -S 9remote
9remote start
# Press Ctrl+A then D to detach
# Reattach later
screen -r 9remote
What if I forget my key?
You can't recover it, but you can regenerate a new one:
9remote
# Select: Manage Key → Regenerate Key
Can multiple people connect at once?
Yes! Multiple devices can connect with the same key and use different features simultaneously.
Does it work offline?
No, both your computer (server) and connecting device need internet access.
Features
Does Remote Desktop support audio?
Not yet. Audio streaming is on our roadmap for future releases.
Can I transfer files?
Currently, you can edit files through File Explorer. File upload/download feature is coming soon.
Does it support multiple monitors?
Currently, only the primary monitor is streamed. Multi-monitor support is planned.
Can I use it for gaming?
Not recommended. Remote Desktop is optimized for productivity, not high-FPS gaming.
Troubleshooting
Why does tunnel take so long to connect?
Cloudflare tunnel needs 30-60 seconds to establish connection and propagate DNS. This is normal. Wait for "Connection established" message.
Server keeps crashing, what do I do?
Check the error messages in terminal. Common causes:
- Port 2208 already in use
- Insufficient permissions
- Network issues
Try restarting your computer and running again.
Mobile keyboard not working?
Make sure you're in landscape mode and tap the keyboard icon to show the on-screen keyboard.
Pricing & Limits
Will it always be free?
The core features will always be free. We may add premium features in the future, but basic remote access will remain free forever.
Are there any usage limits?
No hard limits, but please be reasonable. Don't abuse the service or use it for illegal activities.
Getting Help
Where can I report bugs?
GitHub Issues: https://github.com/yourusername/9remote/issues
How can I request features?
Open a feature request on GitHub Issues with the "enhancement" label.
Is there a community?
Check our GitHub repository for discussions and community support.
Didn't find your answer?
Check our Troubleshooting Guide or open an issue on GitHub.