Connections to Macs are stuck at "Downloading…"

For the past couple of macOS major updates, the Remote Management/Screen Sharing service may need a reset if something went wrong during the upgrade process or after using the Migration Assistant.

If you're trying to connect to a Mac you were able to connect to before upgrading macOS and Screens seems stuck at Downloading... or you receive an incorrect username or password error, you may need to perform the following steps.

Note: These instructions should be performed while you have physical access to your Mac or you may lose access and not able to reconnect.

Reset the Remote Management Service

On macOS 13 Ventura or later

1. Click this link to open System Settings > General > Sharing
2. Toggle the Remote Management switch off and back on
3. Click the (i) button next to the switch
4. Click Options…
5. Uncheck and recheck both Observe and Control
6. Ensure that the Mac user (or all users) is(are) allowed to connect

On macOS 12 Monterey or earlier

1. Click this link to open System Preferences > Sharing
2. Uncheck and recheck the Remote Management checkmark
3. Click Options…
4. Uncheck and recheck both Observe and Control
5. Ensure that the Mac user (or all users) is(are) allowed to connect

Reset the Remote Login Service

If you've enabled secure connections for this Mac, follow these instructions:

On macOS 13 Ventura or later

1. Click this link to open System Settings > General > Sharing
2. Toggle the Remote Login switch off and back on
3. Click the (i) button next to the switch
4. Click Options…
5. Ensure that the Mac user (or all users) is(are) allowed to connect

On macOS 12 Monterey or earlier

1. Click this link to open System Preferences > Sharing
2. Uncheck and recheck the Remote Login checkmark
3. Click Options…
4. Ensure that the Mac user (or all users) is(are) allowed to connect

Reset the Firewall

If the Firewall is enabled on your Mac, follow these instructions:

On macOS 13 Ventura or later

1. Click this link to open System Settings
2. Select Network
3. Select Firewall
4. Toggle the Remote Login switch off and back on
5. Click Options…
6. Ensure that Remote Management and Remote Login (if enable) are set to Allow incoming connections

On macOS 12 Monterey or earlier

1. Click this link to open System Settings
2. Select Network
3. Select Firewall
4. Click Turn Off Firewall and click that button again to turn the firewall back on
5. Click Firewall Options…
6. Ensure that Remote Management and Remote Login (if enable) are set to Allow incoming connections