Starting with Screens 5.8.8, remote access is built directly into Screens on Macs running macOS 14 or later. There is no need to install Screens Connect separately.
To use the standalone version of Screens Connect on a Mac or Windows PC, click here.
Make Your Mac Reachable from Anywhere
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Open the Screens Connect section in Screens.
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Sign in to your Screens Connect account or create a new one.
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Open Screens > Settings > Screens Connect.
You may also be offered a Set Up Remote Access button from the banner shown in the Library.
- Enable Make this Mac available remotely.
Remote Access Options
The following options are also available:
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Use Secure Connection — Encrypts remote connections to your Mac using SSH. This requires Remote Login to be enabled in macOS System Settings.
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Keep Mac Awake — Prevents your Mac from going to sleep while Screens is running. The display can still turn off. This provides the most reliable remote access since the Mac does not need to be woken before Screens can connect.
On a MacBook, we recommend using this option while connected to power, as preventing sleep while running on battery will increase battery usage. If this option is disabled, macOS can use Wake for network access to wake your Mac when needed, but wake-on-network behaviour is controlled by macOS and may not always be reliable, particularly while running on battery.
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Launch Screens at Login — Automatically launches Screens when you sign in to your Mac so Remote Access remains available without having to manually open Screens after restarting or logging in.
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If prompted, enable Screen Sharing and Remote Login in System Settings.
Screen Sharing allows Screens to control your Mac remotely. Remote Login is required when Use Secure Connection is enabled. If needed, detailed setup instructions are available here.
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Once setup is complete, your Mac will appear in the list of computers available through Screens Connect.
- Your Mac is now ready to be accessed from your other devices running Screens.
Using the Standalone Version of Screens Connect
The standalone version of Screens Connect is still available and may be required in the following situations:
- Your Mac is running macOS 13 or earlier.
- You want to make a Windows PC reachable.
- You prefer to use the standalone app instead of Screens.
For setup instructions, see the Screens Connect section.
Before You Leave
Before heading out, simulate a remote connection to confirm that your computer is reachable from outside your network. This quick test ensures your setup will work properly when you’re away.