If you need to help a family member troubleshoot their Mac, or you want to access your work computer from home, you do not need to download third-party software like TeamViewer. macOS has a powerful, built-in Screen Sharing feature that allows you to view and control another Mac remotely.
Part 1: Enable Screen Sharing on the Target Mac
First, you must give permission on the computer you want to control (the “server”).
- On the Mac you want to access, open the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions).
- Navigate to General > Sharing.
- Find Screen Sharing in the list and toggle the switch to the ON position.
- Click the Info (i) button next to Screen Sharing to configure who is allowed to connect. You can allow All users or Only these users (where you specify exact user accounts).
- Make a note of the computer’s network address displayed on this screen (it will look something like
vnc://192.168.1.50orvnc://macbook-pro.local).
Part 2: Connect from Your Mac
Now, move to the Mac you will use to do the controlling (the “client”).
- Click anywhere on your desktop to ensure Finder is the active application.
- In the top menu bar, click Go, then select Connect to Server… (or press Command + K).
- In the address field, type the address you noted earlier (e.g.,
vnc://192.168.1.50). - Click Connect.
- You will be prompted to enter the username and password of an account on the remote Mac. Enter those details and click Sign In.
Tips for a Better Experience
- Use the Shared Clipboard: Once connected, look at the menu bar at the top of your screen and select Edit > Use Shared Clipboard. This incredibly useful feature allows you to copy text or files on one Mac and paste them onto the other.
- Network Constraints: This built-in tool works seamlessly when both computers are on the same local network (like your home Wi-Fi). If you want to connect to a Mac in a completely different location, you will generally need to use a VPN to connect to that remote network first.