Linux on iPad without a network. Raspberry Pi Zero 2W or Pi4. VNC Direct.

[@darlakim5120]

Thanks for an execllent episode and for making this more widely known, I followed Rob’s (Tech Craft) / Ben Hardill’s instructions nearly a year ago and have been using a RPi-4B in an ArgonOne case as my travelling developer setup. I don’t have (or want) and Windows or Mac Laptop, but I do love my iPad. This solution filled a critical missing link for a dev Linux environment while traveling via air/train or at a library or literally anywhere, and I can have a full Linux environment running Jupyter Notebook, Python, MySQL, Docker, etc. without internet. I SSH into the RPi using Shelly, (on the App Store) and can pick up where I left off before boarding my flight.

[@tusharbhardwaj7511]

Hey! Hope this finds you well after two years of gap. Can guide me to do the same ? Actually can’t find any good tutorial regarding that and I’m senior secondary student trying to learn linux and porgramming.

[@darlakim5120]

@@tusharbhardwaj7511 Hi and thanks for pinging me, and Good for You for wanting to learn Linux. It’s an excellent skill that most people are frightened to learn! But if you know Linux you’ll be far ahead of even old-timers! It’s been quite a while since I did this, but this is also how I started learning Linux. I will say that if it’s strictly Linux you’re interested in learning, you can definitely speed things up but creating a free user account with any of the cloud providers, and create a virtual machine, where you can essentially have a Linux environment to play in. A few years ago I was still new with Linux and didn’t own my own computer, so the Raspberry Pi was all I had, besides my laptop. I didn’t even know or understand what AWS was, and the raspberry pi was a safe place for me to play/break/fix things along the way. Resources for iPad-to-Linux connection: 1. KZbin: Rob at Tech Craft : (he hasn’t published any videos in a while but his existing content is still a great learning resource. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYG2naynpJqEaLMsi=q_T_1I_IcPQJwPsW 2. View the transcript and read the comment Rob adds about Ben Hardill’s instructions: The actual configuration you need to do is in Ben Hardill’s guide, and that’s how to hard-wire your iPad to your Raspberry Pi. It’s a great way for learning Linux, even at 35,000 ft on a long flight! www.hardill.me.uk/wordpress/2019/11/02/pi4-usb-c-gadget/ “In Ben's guide, his last instruction is to add the line `/root/usb.sh` to the `/etc/rc.local` file. The added line should be `sh /root/usb.sh` - note the extra `sh ` at the start.”

[@udance4ever]

@1:55 interesting. I assumed this entire time networking wasn’t possible through micro-USB and you just proved me wrong! btw - that is the same exact video that inspired me to want to get a Pi in 2020! now I can’t wait to try it out w my Pi Zero 2W!

[@smoocher]

I didn't know it was possible to connect my ipad to my pi until I saw this video. Excellent instructions. Thanks!

[@leepspvideo]

Glad I could help 👍🏻

[@jyvben1520]

10:50 ssh can be enabled in the rpi imager since mid 2021, use control-shift-x before the image is fully written ...

[@JeffBromley]

Thanks!

[@techhorizon]

Did the same thing with my Samsung Tab S7 and an RPi 4 about a year ago and it still works perfectly. A very practical solution.

[@templare251993]

Hi, I followed this guide to make my Pi Zero 2 W work on a Tab S7, but I can't connect via ssh nor vnc to the Pi. What can I do to make it work? Thank you!

[@martinisla9607]

how did you connect it? because the rpi 4 usb c is a just power (I speak spanish)

[@won2kafour]

Keep 'em coming! You are one of the top tutors for Raspberry Pi fans!

[@JeffBromley]

You're helping me learn tremendously, thank you

[@rustyhaddock7954]

To create the blank 'ssh' file just type "sudo touch /boot/ssh".

[@mohammadhashem3265]

keep Goin' with mind-blowing projects Lee I support u till the end ❤️👍

[@techhorizon]

Very useful if you're planning on using Kali Linux 😉

[@iblackfeathers]

either a usb c cable or a custom 3d printed case for this use case that keeps the pi rigid might be better because one orientation is in the way of your hands and possible hand gestures on the ipad and the other orientation won’t lay it flat. i personally would prefer a 1 ft cable to prevent any potential physical damage to the tablet’s port with any slip of the tablet,

[@leepspvideo]

When the Pi was in front of the screen I didn’t find it got in my way. Still plenty of room to swipe in from the edge. Some sort of 3D printed case that attaches to the rear of the iPad would be safer. 👍🏻

[@BZOVY-uv5pq]

Awesome tutorial bro Thank you!!!

[@brandontaylor6073]

How do u hear audio from raspberry pi to iPad?

[@leepspvideo]

I don’t think it was supported. I would use Bluetooth headphones from the Pi

[@brandontaylor6073]

@@leepspvideo ok

[@MarkEmeryPhotography]

I did a similar thing with an Apple USB Camera adapter, but opted for the Pi Zero 2W in Access Point mode instead, so the Pi can be in a pocket, running on a high capacity and high current battery. Double the RAM and the Z2W would be awesome, not just good.

[@kyuuishihara8647]

I’ve been trying to use VNC via ad-hoc. I can get my pi4 to start up an ad-hoc connection using the onboard wireless but haven’t had any success connecting with VNC. I’ve only been able to use VNC if my Ipad and pi4 are on the same Wi-Fi network either my home network or a hotspot from my iPhone. Could you help me out?

[@aquelejosemelo]

I wonder if there'sa a way to use that and charge the ipad.

[@udance4ever]

I've got two USB-C hubs w PD, I'll give it a shot. what I know doesn't work is passing through USB-C video but this is probably quite different.

[@davocc2405]

not 100% sure if this applies to your config but for mouse lag on regular RaspberryPi OS adding: usbhid.mousepoll=8 to the end of the file /boot/cmdline.txt and rebooting should fix the lag.

[@mandychan1019]

Should I do the setting directly on the pi or work in out the changes on my windows laptop before plugging back in the sd card to my pi? As I did it on the windows laptop, I couldn’t have access to the /etc directory, thanks in advance 10:56

[@leepspvideo]

Linux gives you better file access to folders

[@fs01s3]

What do u do if the display on the iPad is just a tiny blurry screen that isn’t usable

[@leepspvideo]

That hasn’t happened to me

[@mamalujo2003]

Excellent!!! It seems you're using VNC like a computer using virtual machine with persistence. Could you you use an OTG cable to power the tablet and Pi, so as to not excessively drain the table's battery?

[@muddyexport5639]

I echo the question... good thought...

[@leepspvideo]

This otg cable works fine powered both the iPad and the Pi. I also plugged in my Logitech K400+ keyboard/trackpad dongle and it controls the iPad. USB C otg hub amzn.to/3G4P3G7 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@muddyexport5639]

@@leepspvideo thanks!

[@mamalujo2003]

@@leepspvideo thank you

[@DoctorAtomTNT]

great video! - I followed to the letter but unfortunately ethernet never showed up in Settings. Pi 3B+ and using the same adapter (usb-c to usb-A) as well as a normal micro-usb cable came with an old Samsung phone. I tried several other cables, none which worked. Makes me think the 3B+ might have different script to execute.

[@haxelloid]

Hey , I have a 3b+ too and the problem with the model is , it doesnt support USB OTG , the connection is just not present , so no matter what you do , it wont show up on the ipad. I got a rpi4 just for this. Hope this helps

[@udance4ever]

​@@haxelloidwow that's a huge omission on the 3B+ - glad they included it on the Zero 2W!

[@onldhes]

This just makes me wish for a device as nice as the iPad, but with a desktop Linux operating system. Closest I have ever gotten is an old x86 tablet.

[@STORMFIRE07]

Maybe try an android tablet and run Linux in it using andronix+termux+VNC?

[@gregoryaul2005]

Will this work on any os or only buster?

[@raditeowarma1909]

can you do this with orange pi 5?

[@leepspvideo]

Possibly if you know how. I was following instructions for a Raspberry Pi.

[@GrandPlatClips]

Is it possible to remote desktop into a pi from a PC without internet

[@leepspvideo]

Definitely with a MacBook Not my video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn2XmoJ8rpmkeac

[@pretubedon]

Thanks. Can you force the resolution to fit the ipad so that the screen doesn't jump around?

[@leepspvideo]

Yes

[@pretubedon]

@@leepspvideo Thank you for replying. May I know whether that's a setting within the iPad VNCviewer app or within Rasbian distro? Could you elaborate more?

[@leepspvideo]

@@pretubedon I’m sure it’s a setting in the app

[@michaelclement1337]

I've got an old iPad 3 (I think its IOS 9). Is there something like this that would work with it?

[@leepspvideo]

Remote Desktop seems to be the only option with lightning iPads. It’s still works well. PiPad Pro, Raspberry Pi 4 Remote Desktop with iPad kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIPManWgq6meoac

[@STORMFIRE07]

It it must to have a usb C iPad, is it possible with the lightning adapter somehow?

[@leepspvideo]

I tried my iPhone, details in the comments

[@smartassist9700]

iPad “”about”” ….what model iPad is that? I have Gen 7. Will that work?

[@leepspvideo]

iPad Pro 11” 2020 2nd gen The iPad needs to have usb C for this method to work If you have a lightning connection try this PiPad Pro, Raspberry Pi 4 Remote Desktop with iPad kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIPManWgq6meoac

[@jacobchurch10]

Would this work with a Lightning iPad (Non USB-C) using a lightning to USB adapter?

[@won2kafour]

My qstn. too? Tc fir asking

[@leepspvideo]

I tried my iPhone with a powered lightning to usb camera adapter. The Pi zero2w booted up. Unfortunately no Ethernet showed in the settings and I was unable to connect. USB C should be standard on new iPads the data transfer and compatibility is great. It used to take a while transferring my captured video to my iPad via lightning. Now it takes seconds. Lightning is very fussy with power via the port Low power USB for Apple lightning camera adapter iOS iPadOS 13 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJC8ipWprKx4Zrs

[@won2kafour]

@@leepspvideo Thanks, mate!

[@edgardorosa4601]

Thank you! I have an iPad magic keyboard, there’s a way to use my keyboard? EDIT: My bad, I just found the way in the VNC viewer settings

[@edgardorosa4601]

Do you know if it’s possible to do the same but with Windows?

[@udance4ever]

​@@edgardorosa4601 do you mean see the Pi on Windows or see Windows on the iPad?

[@danielsunil4744]

I really liked the video and i have saved some money to get a pi. Will it work with a IPad mini 6 gen?

[@leepspvideo]

Yes, it should as it’s usb C.

[@josephzajdler]

Just so i'm clear, Linux is NOT actually running on the iPad, as the title suggestes, it's running on the Raspberry Pi, right? The iPad is only a viewer, right?

[@leepspvideo]

Linux is showing on the iPad plus being controlled by the iPad with a direct network connection to the Raspberry Pi. The title mentions Raspberry Pi and VNC.

[@SB-kr1eh]

I successfully did this with Raspberry OS but can’t get it working on Twister OS… any ideas?

[@leepspvideo]

Try asking on the TwisterOS discord

[@HuthL20]

Will it work on IPad with lightning cable?

[@leepspvideo]

No, I tried

[@tashahernandez7828]

Thanks for making this video! It is really helpful. I followed the instructions down to the letter however I get an message saying that I am unable to view the ras pi desk top. How do I fix this?

[@leepspvideo]

Do you have a usb c iPad?

[@nullfex5958]

Hi, does it work on the raspberry pi 0 w?

[@leepspvideo]

Yes but its very slow running an os with a gui

[@panoss3524]

Did you try with video capture to usb ?

[@leepspvideo]

@@panoss3524 this device doesn’t work on iPad Raspberry Pi 5 plugged in to your Laptop. Windows, MacBooks, Chromebooks and Linux Laptops kzbin.info/www/bejne/moPch2ehrcmUn9U

[@lp3037]

Will this work for older generation of ipad mini?

[@leepspvideo]

It seems to only work On USB C iPads. Remote Desktop still works fine on lightning iPads. PiPad Pro, Raspberry Pi 4 Remote Desktop with iPad kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIPManWgq6meoac

[@saoreyes]

This work with a raspberry pi 3 b+?

[@leepspvideo]

I would think so

[@udance4ever]

rumors say the 3B+ is missing USB OTG but can't personally verify.

[@fraserstewart7359]

This might be very nice for openplotter

[@adrianwiuk]

I love this sh1t, but I really don't know why as I never find any real world use for it! Controlling a Pi Zero 2W from a iPad Pro is just nuts though 😁

[@kaszapnagypeter]

Is it possible to do it with ubuntu without any internet connection?

[@leepspvideo]

The instructions were specifically for Raspbery Pi os. No doubt it could be adapted for Ubuntu

[@kaszapnagypeter]

@@leepspvideo Thanks for your answer!

[@makubex2708]

This is the set up I’ve been wanting to do. Do you know if it’ll work with a raspberry pi 3b or a zero w?

[@leepspvideo]

Should work fine

[@udance4ever]

another comment said the 3B+ was missing USB OTG & they had to use a Pi4. I find this surprising & can't verify it myself.

[@eliesimard9934]

could yoou use intellij on it?

[@eliesimard9934]

I have an 8go pi4

[@leepspvideo]

It’s not something I have tried. The website says it works with linux

[@timothy_synth]

Nice video, what Linux Distro are you using on your desktop? It looks really nice

[@leepspvideo]

The Pi in the background was running TwisterOS My Favourite Raspberry Pi OS. Twister OS 1.6. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXrYkGaJhK2oqaM The Pi on my iPad was running Raspberry Pi os with tweaks Custom Raspberry Pi OS. Create a backup Restore to SD, USB or SSD. Raspberry Pi 4. kzbin.info/www/bejne/poG3kqKwfa6Em7c

[@router5840]

Hi Lee a bit of topic here but do you know of any powered usb hub that will let you boot off the Pi4 through the hub with a ssd.

[@leepspvideo]

I haven’t tried any. I was being sent one once but nothing came of it.

[@router5840]

@@leepspvideo Thanks for the reply will let you know if i find one that works with the Pi4,I am using the Pi as a nas and am booting from a 550 ssd and saving to 1tb ssd so trying not to over tax the Pi's usb ports.

[@cutflow2]

Is there a way to completely put Linux on iPad while removing iOS

[@leepspvideo]

I doubt it on an iPad. Android devices have this option. VolksPC. How to install full Linux on most Android devices. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3XGgK2XepyjbK8

[@udance4ever]

you can't replace iPadOS but you can install iSH & get an Alpine Linux shell. it's not quite the same but it's really nice to be able to transfer data between mounted app containers!

[@C9saidSUN]

I'm new to the Pi world and been studying some pentesting beginner work. I'm assuming this doesn't work on a Kali Pi 4 given my attempts with "x11vnc" right?

[@leepspvideo]

I have only tried Raspberry Pi OS

[@rossgeography]

Wow ! Belatedly coming to proxmox / thin clients etc. - v.interesting

[@madskristensen3508]

Do it work for a pi 4 through usbc to usb a on PC?

[@leepspvideo]

I’m not sure about PC’s. Macs work. This is a better option for a PC Use your Laptop as a Monitor. HDMI input. Xbox series S/X through Windows or Mac. £9 Capture device kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX7Qc4J5pq2mapo

[@madskristensen3508]

@@leepspvideo Thanks for answer A still dont understand, what a hdmi capture device is and how it work. So to be sure: So the hdmi capture device act like a monitor and send it to the host (my pc, through USB A, my PC thinks it is a camera). Then I need a program (The camera app) to read it from? And do touch work? Can you game using a hdmi capture device? (VNC is 5-10 fps) Can you buy a higer qulity HDMI capture device, to get better FPS (in the link, video you sent me, you say, there is a bit lag)

[@leepspvideo]

@@madskristensen3508 Xbox One on Laptop display (OBS Avermedia capture) Vs TV Direct. Input Lag test. kzbin.info/www/bejne/amaTdJ5tnaqVetk

[@fm37k8xi]

Hi, I really like your videos, but for the intro music is way to loud, especially on headphones., Please consider cutting the intro volume back. Thanks

[@leepspvideo]

Sorry, I usually try to lower the intro when I raise the speech volume.

[@SaarN1337]

Is that.. Elasto Mania?

[@leepspvideo]

No, Xmoto on Linux. This is elastomania kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXqomndur9hjnqM On Mac I recently found Deadrider which is also great.

[@mattclarenzmendoza7127]

It would work on android tablets with the same setup right?

[@leepspvideo]

Not all usb C sockets are the same. Many Android phones and tablets don’t have video output

[@mattclarenzmendoza7127]

Oh. It needs video output? I thought its just ethernet connection.

[@leepspvideo]

@@mattclarenzmendoza7127 No, just an example. some may not support Ethernet via usb c

[@mattclarenzmendoza7127]

@@leepspvideo well yeah thanks again.

[@FETTIStacks]

Can this be done on Ubuntu?

[@leepspvideo]

Most likely although you may have to work out how to adapt the tutorial for Ubuntu

[@FETTIStacks]

@@leepspvideo I have followed tech crafts guide and I cannot for the life of me got it to work lol, But thanks to you I have the OG Raspian running on this.

[@FETTIStacks]

I have a follow up question. Would a micro usb to usb type c cable work to power this pi?

[@wickeddubz]

Will it work if battery is below 50%?

[@leepspvideo]

I’m pretty sure it did when I was first testing.

[@wickeddubz]

@@leepspvideo for ipad mini 4 there is different powersaving policy i guess. If i have less than 50% battery , it does not give power to MIDI controller, small audio interface or usb2MIDI converter. Android phone does not care much, it just powers up everything.

[@leepspvideo]

@@wickeddubz lightning is very fussy with power. The usb c iPads are a lot more accepting. Low power USB for Apple lightning camera adapter iOS iPadOS 13 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJC8ipWprKx4Zrs

[@wickeddubz]

@@leepspvideo yep, noticed. However, i’ll keep using this model, as there no big difference in performance to get gen 6 by now. Will they make gen 7 mini ?

[@leepspvideo]

@@wickeddubz the 6th gen iPad mini is very much more powerful than the 4th gen iPad mini, plus it’s usb c. Even the 5th gen iPad mini has a cpu that is 4 generations newer than the mini 4. Ram is also double on the 6th gen.

[@lewisvincent3290]

Does this work with pi 400?

[@leepspvideo]

I just had visions of a Pi 400 Hanging of the side of my iPad attached via a dongle. 😂 I think it should work the same as the Pi 4 does with a cable

[@subomni]

You might try xrdp with MS Remote Desktop instead of vnc. It seems less laggy to me.

[@leepspvideo]

Just tried it on my zero 2W. The game XMoto was slower using this method with xrdp. All I had to do was put in the address, user and password. I think I prefer navigation in xrdp.

[@leepspvideo]

Resolution stuck at 1552x1026 in xrdp. Can’t be helping performance. The desktop looks great though.

[@subomni]

@@leepspvideo interesting, I can usually set the resolution in the ipad RDP client to various values.

[@subomni]

I typically use the buster lite image and then install the bare minimum for X to keep memory usage down. sudo apt install --no-install-recommends xinit openbox qterminal xrdp then I edit /etc/xdg/openbox/menu.xml to use qterminal instead of x-terminal-emulator once you have a desktop, right-click for menu.

[@paulmaydaynight9925]

so basically setup the kernel virtual ethernet over usb, mount the new virtual device & give it a valid virtual lan ip address, nice. i suspect 'nomachine' will be better as it should use pi hw encoding for sending the screen data unlike sw vnc encode lag. lol us (59.9999) 60hz you want to set real uk integer 50hz display

[@elitros601]

Con Ubuntu estaria muy interesante

[@gregoryaul2005]

I tried this with a win. Surface what a pain dang windows lol

[@ManuelPinner]

You can do the Same with a Android Phone!

[@leepspvideo]

@@ManuelPinner have you seen a guide or video I can view / watch? I would be interested in trying it You can also install Linux on Android VolksPC. How to install full Linux on most Android devices. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3XGgK2XepyjbK8

[@yaybrianna]

This isn't linux on an ipad...

[@leepspvideo]

@@yaybrianna it definitely is. Not the way you want it to be though. This is as well kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6rSgIegnp10g5osi=vvWj5qzR76BmRE6O

[@yaybrianna]

@@leepspvideo Connecting to a linux host from an ipad is not linux on the ipad. I also don't agree that running linux in VM also isn't running linux on an ipad.

[@leepspvideo]

@@yaybrianna 😀

[@corybowe4897]

It's too bad the iPad doesn't have enough horsepower to run Linux locally! /s

[@leepspvideo]

@@corybowe4897 it’s a shame they don’t allow jit Debian Linux on iPad. With one Caveat……. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6rSgIegnp10g5o It’s great on my m1 Mac which has half the ram and a lower powered cpu How does this run so well with only 1GB of ram allocated? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpTHZXaKeL2ZgqM

[@corybowe4897]

@@leepspvideo Agreed! I just got out of the apple ecosystem because I paid too much for a tablet that wouldn't do the things I wanted.

[@mohammadhashem3265]

first ❤️🌺

[@michaelmcpeters8098]

This is misleading.. this is NOT Linux *ON* the iPad.. this is a Raspberry Pi using the iPad as a screen.

[@leepspvideo]

It’s displayed on the iPad, powered by the iPad & controlled by the touchscreen. It is Linux on the iPad. It’s not Linux installed on the iPad.

[@techhorizon]

Second lol

[@mohammadhashem3265]

it's my first time I watch a video and be the 1st lol 😂

[@EmminiX]

Thank you!

[@maka6000]

Does it work with RPI Zero WH?

[@leepspvideo]

Yes

[@maka6000]

@@leepspvideo Awesome! Thank you very much ❤️