How to Use the Screen Sharing App in macOS for High-Performance Remote Mac Access

Remote desktop management on macOS has traditionally relied on either VNC servers or third-party proprietary software. In macOS Sonoma and macOS Sequoia, Apple re-engineered its native Screen Sharing application into a standalone powerhouse. Leveraging the advanced hardware media engines of Apple silicon chips, the modern Screen Sharing app features a dedicated High Performance mode that streams responsive 60 FPS video, multi-channel audio, and dynamic virtual displays over local networks and internet connections.

What Sets High Performance Screen Sharing Apart?

The updated Screen Sharing utility transitions remote Mac access from basic administrative maintenance to full-fidelity remote workstation capability:

• Apple Silicon Media Engine Acceleration: Uses hardware-accelerated HEVC and H.264 video compression to stream high-frame-rate display feeds with near-zero input latency.
• Reference Mode and HDR Streaming: Preserves HDR video gradations and wide colour gamuts (P3), making it viable for remote video editing and graphic design.
• Dynamic Multi-Display Virtualisation: Allows the remote client to spin up two virtual secondary monitors on the host Mac even if the physical computer has no external monitors connected.
• Multi-Channel Audio Forwarding: Routes full system sound directly to your client Mac’s speakers or headphones without third-party audio drivers.

Prerequisites for High Performance Mode

To unlock the low-latency High Performance streaming pipeline, ensure your setup meets these criteria:

1. Hardware: Both the host Mac (the computer being controlled) and the client Mac (the computer you are sitting at) must be equipped with an Apple silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, or M4).
2. Operating System: Both computers must run macOS 14 Sonoma or macOS 15 Sequoia (or newer).
3. Network: A high-bandwidth local area network (Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6/6E) is strongly recommended for optimal 60 FPS responsiveness.

How to Enable Screen Sharing on the Host Mac

Before establishing a remote connection, authorize access on the computer you wish to control:

1. On the host Mac, open System Settings and click General > Sharing.
2. Locate Screen Sharing and toggle the switch to On.
3. Click the small Info (i) button next to the toggle.
4. In the configuration dialog, verify that your user account is listed under Allow access for.
5. Note the local network address displayed at the top (e.g., vnc://MacBook-Pro.local or vnc://192.168.1.45).
6. Click Done.

How to Connect and Configure High Performance Streaming

To initiate a high-speed remote session from your client Mac:

1. Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight, type Screen Sharing, and press Enter.
2. In the Screen Sharing app window, your previously paired or network-discovered Macs appear automatically. Click on your host Mac (or click the + button to enter the Apple Account email or IP address).
3. When the authentication prompt appears, enter your host Mac username and password.
4. In the connection window, click the Display Settings icon in the toolbar.
5. Set the Connection Type to High Performance.
6. Adjust your preferred resolution and scaling. If you need additional workspace, click Displays in the menu bar and select Add Virtual Display to create a dedicated secondary desktop.

High Performance vs Standard Mode Comparison

Feature	Standard VNC Mode	High Performance Mode
Codec / Compression	Raw VNC / Adaptive JPEG	Hardware-accelerated HEVC / H.264 (Apple Silicon)
Frame Rate & Latency	15–30 FPS with noticeable mouse lag	Smooth 60 FPS with minimal interactive input delay
Colour Accuracy	sRGB compressed	Wide Colour P3 and HDR Reference support
Virtual Secondary Displays	Unsupported (mirrors physical screen only)	Supports up to 2 dynamic headless virtual monitors