Can display simple X11 apps on Mac remote from pi, but not Firefox

Ubuntu Support Template

Ubuntu Version:
24.04.3 LTS

Desktop Environment (if applicable):
(remote over X)

Problem Description:

With some effort, I can run simple apps, such as xeyes, displaying on my Mac Tahoe) while running on my pi 5 (24.4.3).

I’m using the X11 package from macports, which got me farther than xquartz.

After creating an extra xterm on the Mac, I connect (ssh -lhawk -Y mythtvback.local) without issue.

I then need to manually set $DISPLAY to Mac.lan:0 (from xauth list on the native xterm on the Mac) and xauth add $DISPLAY . 0123etc on the pi xterm.

but then

mythtvback:~> xeyes
{it works and follows cursor}

^C
mythtvback:~> firefox
/usr/bin/firefox: 12: xdg-settings: not found
No protocol specified
Error: cannot open display: Mac.lan:0
mythtvback:~>

I don’t get quite as far trying to use xquartz, which seems to lack a full auth

fwiw, 25-30 years ago (back when I was full speed on such things), I noticed that launching common browsers on the remote machine actually created an instance on the local machine (at least if I had the same browser already running on it; it’s been a while). I found a workaround.

All I really need to do with a browser is be able to run it on the the pi, as myth on the pi isn’t talking to anything but localhost–and my micros adapter broke and I’m awaiting a new one. But I need it to run over ssh!

This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.