If UPnP or NAT-PMP is not available on your router, or if you prefer to configure port forwarding yourself, you can set Screens Connect in manual mode.
This article will describe how to proceed.
Step 1: Set a Static IP address
If your Mac already uses a static IP address, you can skip to Step 2.
On the Mac you intend to connect to, open System Preferences.
Click Network.
Select the network you use for Internet access (in the following screenshot, this is Highland Park on Wi-Fi).
Click Advanced.
Under Configure IPv4, select Using DHCP with manual address.
Enter an IPv4 Address. (In the following screenshot, 10.0.1.7 is used.)
Click OK.
Click Apply to activate the change.
To learn more about static IP addresses, consult Port Forward.
Step 2: Manually Configuring Your Router's Port Forwarding Feature
If your router is not an Apple Router
Below, we'll demonstrate how to use Apple's AirPort Utility to manually configure your router's port forwarding feature. This method will differ from one router to another, so we strongly suggest referring to the port forwarding guide at Port Forward. This guide includes detailed instructions for many router brands and models.
On Port Forward, once you select your brand and model on the site, look for instructions regarding VNC (Screen Sharing) or SSH (Remote Login) in Step 4 > Application.
You can also find port forwarding instructions for these popular routers:
We will add more instructions in the future.
Open Airport Utility.
Select the router to be configured.
Click the Edit button.
Select the Network tab.
Next to Port Settings, click on the [+] button to add a new mapping.
Option A: Open a port for Screen Sharing (VNC)
For the purpose of this example, we will open a public port set to 59107, but you could use any port allowed by your router. Note that some phone carriers are known to block non-standard ports, so if you experience connectivity issues, try using a commonly used port such as 80, 443, 22, or 8080.
If you prefer to open a port for Remote Login (SSH) in order to connect via a secure connection, please skip to Option B: Open a port for Remote Login (SSH).
Under Description, select Screen Sharing - VNC.
Set the Public UDP and Public TCP (also called External Port on some routers) to the desired public port number (in the following screenshot, 59107 is used).
Enter your computer's Private IP address so that the router knows to which computer Screens traffic should be forwarded. (In the following screenshot, 10.0.1.7 is used.)
Unless you've changed the default Screen Sharing port number, Private UDP and Private TCP (also called Internal Port on some routers) should be set to 5900.
Click Save when you're done.
You should now see your new port setting. Click Update to apply the changes to your router.
Option B: Open a port for Remote Login (SSH).
For the purpose of this example, we will open a public port set to 2299, but you could use any port allowed by your router. Note that some phone carriers are known to block non-standard ports, so if you experience connectivity issues, try using a commonly used port such as 80, 443, 22, or 8080.
Under Description, select Remote Login - SSH.
Set the Public TCP (also called External Port on some routers) to the desired public port number (in the following screenshot, 2299 is used).
Enter your computer's Private IP address so that the router knows to which computer Screens traffic should be forwarded to (in the following screenshot, 10.0.1.7 is used).
Unless you've changed the default Remote Login port number, Private TCP (also called Internal Port on some routers) should be set to 22.
Click Save when you're done.
You should now see your new port setting. Click Update to apply the changes to your router.
Step 3: Configure Screens Connect
Open the Screens Connect preferences from the icon in the system menu bar.
If you have created a port forwarding rule for SSH, make sure to enable Use Remote Login under the General tab. Keep this option disabled if you have created a port forwarding rule for VNC.
Select the Advanced tab and enable Use public port number.
If you have created a port forwarding rule for SSH, enter the public port number you have chose. In our example, we used 2299.
if you have created a port forwarding rule for VNC, enter the public port number you have chose. In our example, we used 59107.
You can now close the Preferences window. Screens Connect will update its status with our server and use that information from now on.
Open one port per Mac
If you need to manually configure port forwarding for multiple Macs, note that each of those computers requires its own dedicated port number. For example:
- Luana's Mac > Port 59107
- Luc's Mac > Port 59108
- and so on ...
Test your configuration
In order to ensure that your port forwarding rule is configured properly, you can try to connect from a different wi-fi network or a cellular network.
We recommend connecting from your iOS device via a cellular network (3G, LTE, etc.). If you wish to test your connection from your Mac, you can do so from another wi-fi network or by using your iOS device as a personal hotspot.
If Screens is able to connect, then you should be all set!
Other Considerations
- If there is a firewall or some security setting on your router, ensure that it is configured to let incoming connections to go through.
- Make sure to configure your Mac to wake for network access.
Manual Configuration with Older Versions of Screens Connect
If you have other Macs running versions of Screens Connect older than version 4.x, you'll find specific instructions here.
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