If you can normally connect to your Mac with Screens but cannot connect after the Mac has been restarted, FileVault may be preventing the connection.
Check FileVault
When FileVault is enabled, the Mac's startup disk remains encrypted after a restart until an authorized user unlocks it.
Until the disk is unlocked and macOS finishes starting, services such as Screen Sharing and Remote Management may not be available. As a result, Screens cannot connect even though the Mac is powered on and connected to the network.
Once someone unlocks the Mac and macOS finishes starting, Screens should be able to connect normally again.
You can check whether FileVault is enabled under:
System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault
Unlock FileVault Remotely on Apple Silicon Macs
On Macs with Apple silicon running macOS 26 or later, Apple supports unlocking FileVault remotely using SSH after a restart, provided that Remote Login is enabled and the Mac meets Apple's network requirements.
Once FileVault has been unlocked and macOS has finished starting, you should be able to connect with Screens normally.
For requirements and instructions, refer to Apple's documentation:
Note: Remote FileVault unlocking is a macOS feature provided by Apple and is not part of Screens. Availability and network requirements are determined by macOS.
Use authrestart Before Restarting
If you have access to the Mac before restarting it, macOS provides authrestart, which can authorize the next restart without requiring FileVault authentication at startup.
Open Terminal on the Mac and run:
sudo fdesetup authrestartThis temporarily allows the Mac to restart and unlock FileVault without requiring someone to enter the password locally.
To see which users are authorized to unlock FileVault, run:
sudo fdesetup listThis can be particularly useful when restarting a remote Mac or applying macOS updates remotely.
Make Sure the Mac Can Wake Up
If the Mac has finished starting but is sleeping, make sure it's connected to a power source and Wake for network access is enabled.
Configure Your Mac to Wake for Connections
If FileVault Isn't the Problem
If FileVault is disabled, or the Mac has already been unlocked and Screens still cannot connect, make sure Screen Sharing or Remote Management is running correctly.
Try resetting the service:
Still Having Trouble?
If the Mac has been fully unlocked and is reachable on the network but Screens still cannot connect, reproduce the problem and send us a Screens Diagnostics Report from the device you're connecting from: