# How to connect to a Raspberry Pi using a Mac

> Learn how to connect to a Raspberry Pi from a Mac over VNC: enable VNC in the Raspberry Pi configuration, then use VNC Viewer with the Pi's IP address.

Author: [Flavio Copes](https://flaviocopes.com/about/) | Published: 2020-03-04 | Topics: [Computer](https://flaviocopes.com/tags/computers/) | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/raspberry-pi-connect-vnc/

I recently got a Raspberry Pi for testing, and to build some projects ideas I have.

I installed Raspbian, the Linux version of Debian specifically made for the Raspberry Pi.

Then I attached the Raspberry Pi to the TV, using the HDMI cable, and I attached an USB mouse and USB keyboard to install the OS and get all "wired up".

I then set up the VNC Server on the Pi to be able to connect to it from the Mac. I didn't really want to keep it attached to the TV all the time.

So I clicked the menu, went to **Preferences -> Raspberry Pi Configuration**:

![The Raspberry Pi Preferences](https://flaviocopes.com/images/raspberry-pi-connect-vnc/Screen_Shot_2020-02-09_at_19.01.17.png)

Then I pressed the **Interfaces** tab:

![Interfaces tab](https://flaviocopes.com/images/raspberry-pi-connect-vnc/Screen_Shot_2020-02-09_at_19.01.26.png)

and I enabled the **VNC** option:

![The VNC option in the interfaces tab](https://flaviocopes.com/images/raspberry-pi-connect-vnc/Screen_Shot_2020-02-09_at_19.01.31.png)

After doing so, I pressed OK and the "VNC" icon appeared in the toolbar. 

In the screenshots above it's already there, but it's because I made them after I enabled VNC.

Clicking that icon showed me the VNC Server panel, which shows me the IP address of the Pi.

![Connected to the Raspberry Pi](https://flaviocopes.com/images/raspberry-pi-connect-vnc/Screen_Shot_2020-02-09_at_19.03.19.png)

Using the Mac I downloaded the VNC Viewer from https://www.realvnc.com/download/viewer/ and I entered the IP address of the Pi.

I entered the username (pi) and the password of that username, and I was ready to go, with a nice window showing me the content of the Pi desktop!

The only problem I had was **sound**. That's not supported with VNC, so I connected my stereo to the Pi audio jack, to hear if it had something to say.