Anyone needing quick remote access on CentOS 8 will find a straightforward guide that starts by enabling EPEL, updating the system, and downloading the signed AnyDesk RPM from the vendor’s site. The instructions then walk you through installing the package with dnf, verifying the version, launching the application, and adjusting security settings such as unattended access passwords. Common pitfalls—including missing packages due to incorrect RPM names, firewall blocks on port 6565, or a service that fails to start automatically—are also covered with simple solutions. Overall the post emphasizes speed and simplicity, letting users bypass VPNs entirely by simply grabbing the RPM, installing it, and launching AnyDesk to hop between machines effortlessly.

How to Install Anydesk on CentOS 8

If you’re juggling remote support or just need to hop onto a colleague’s machine, AnyDesk gives you that quick‑access punch without the fuss of VPNs. This guide shows you how to get it up and running on CentOS 8 in under ten minutes – no “it works on Windows” excuses needed.

5 Steps to Get AnyDesk Running

5.1 Enable EPEL and Update the System

Why it matters:

CentOS’s default repos don’t ship AnyDesk, but the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repo holds the RPM you need. Updating first ensures all dependencies resolve cleanly.

sudo dnf install epel-release -y
sudo dnf update -y

5.2 Download the Latest AnyDesk RPM

Why it matters:

The AnyDesk team signs each release, so grabbing the official file keeps your system safe from tampered packages.

wget https://download.anydesk.com/linux/anydesk-6.1.2-1.el8.x86_64.rpm -O /tmp/anydesk.rpm

Tip: If you’ve seen a “cannot open file” error after an accidental driver update, double‑check the URL or try curl -L -o /tmp/anydesk.rpm. The -L flag follows redirects.

5.3 Install with DNF

Why it matters:

DNF handles dependency resolution automatically; manual installs could leave you chasing missing libraries.

sudo dnf install /tmp/anydesk.rpm -y

If you hit a “no matching package” error, the RPM name may have changed. Use ls /tmp to confirm the exact file name.

5.4 Verify the Installation

Why it matters:

A quick check confirms that the binary is where it should be and has proper permissions.

anydesk --version

You should see something like AnyDesk version 6.1.2. If not, reinstall or consult /var/log/dnf.log for clues.

5.5 Launch and Configure

Why it matters:

By default AnyDesk starts as a background service; launching manually gives you the UI to tweak privacy settings.

anydesk &

Once the icon pops up, open Settings => Security to set your unattended access password or disable the need for confirmation on every connection. I once had an old CentOS box that refused remote connections because “Remote Access” was disabled; toggling it fixed the issue in seconds.

Common Pitfalls and Quick Fixes

• Package not found after dnf install – Make sure you’re using the correct RPM for el8 (the .el8.x86_64.rpm variant).
• Firewall blocking connections – Open the port with sudo firewall-cmd --add-port=6565/tcp --permanent && sudo firewall-cmd --reload. AnyDesk uses TCP 6565 by default.
• Service not starting on boot – Enable it: sudo systemctl enable anydesk and start it: sudo systemctl start anydesk.

Bottom Line

With the EPEL repo, a quick download, and DNF’s smart installs, AnyDesk is up in your CentOS 8 box faster than you can say “remote desktop.” No extra VPNs, no fancy scripts. Just grab the RPM, install it, and you’re ready to hop between machines like a pro.