The Screen Sharing Indicator
macOS includes a built-in Screen Sharing feature (VNC) that allows other users on your local network to view or control your Mac remotely. When this feature is active, or when an active session is in progress, macOS often displays a Screen Sharing icon (which looks like two overlapping squares) in your menu bar. This provides a quick visual indicator that your screen is being accessed and offers a dropdown menu to manage the connection.
However, if you are the one initiating the screen sharing (e.g., using your Mac to view another machine), or if you deliberately run your Mac as a headless server where you always connect via screen sharing, this persistent icon is unnecessary. It simply clutters your menu bar with an icon for a service you already know is running. If you prefer a minimalist interface and don’t need a constant visual reminder that Screen Sharing is enabled, you can remove the icon.
How to Hide the Screen Sharing Icon
You can remove this status icon via your System Settings.
- Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings… (or System Preferences).
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Control Center.
- In the right-hand pane, scroll down to the Menu Bar Only section.
- Locate the Screen Sharing option.
- Next to it, you will see a dropdown menu. Change the setting from “Show in Menu Bar” (or similar) to Don’t Show in Menu Bar.
The Screen Sharing icon will instantly disappear from your menu bar. The underlying Screen Sharing service will continue to function normally, allowing remote connections, but it will do so silently without taking up valuable screen real estate.