Sharing a Mac Session

Screens offers a few ways to share a remote user's active session, enabling you to see the user's desktop and activities and take control to assist with productivity or problem-solving.

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Connecting as a Guest User

Sharing a Session with a Logged-In User

Sharing a Session as an Administrator

Setting your Mac to receive screen sharing requests

You can share a session with a logged-in user by using the macOS Guest account. This method does not require the credentials for an existing user account on the remote Mac, but it does require a logged-in user to accept your Screen Sharing request.

• In the remote Mac’s System Preferences, click Sharing.
• Select either Screen Sharing or Remote Management, depending on your chosen configuration.
• Click Computer Settings and enable Anyone may request permission to control screen.

Setting Screens

This option is enabled by default but you can make sure with these steps:

Screens for iOS

• In the Screens Settings (gear icon), select More Settings.
• Scroll down to Macintosh Specific.
• Enable Prompt for Screen Sharing.

Screens for macOS

• In Screens Preferences, click the Macintosh tab.
• Enable Prompt for Screen Sharing.

Connecting as a Guest User

Screens for iOS

• Tap the + button
• Select New Screen...
• From the list, tap the info button (i) next to the Mac you wish to connect to
• Select Ask to Share Screen

Screens for macOS

• Right-click on the Mac you wish to connect to
• Select Ask to Share Screen

The user on the remote Mac must accept your Screen Sharing request.

Once the user has accepted the request, you will be able to control the Mac within the user session.

Sharing a Session with a Logged-In User

If a user is logged into his macOS user account on the remote machine when Screens establishes a connection, Screens will prompt for a decision.

Screens for iOS

Screens for macOS

• Share display: Prompts the remote user for permission to share his session with you.
• Log in as yourself: Logs in and starts a background session with your own desktop, settings, etc.

Sharing a Session as an Administrator

If you have an existing Administrator account on the remote computer, you may connect directly to any active session without prompting logged-in users for permission or confirmation. This requires that Remote Management be enabled instead of Screen Sharing on the remote computer.

In order to do this, ensure that Prompt for Screen Sharing is enabled in the Screens app preferences:

Screens for iOS

• In the Screens Settings (gear icon), select More Settings.
• Scroll down to Macintosh Specific.
• Enable Prompt for Screen Sharing.

Screens for macOS

• In Screens Preferences, click the Macintosh tab.
• Enable Prompt for Screen Sharing.

Note: If you prefer not to use this feature, make sure to enable Screen Sharing instead of Remote Management on the Mac(s) you'll be connecting to. However, please note that doing so will disable Curtain Mode as well as it is only available when Remote Management is enabled.

For more information, see Configuring macOS for Remote Access.