Slightly-known function in macOS allows you to share your Mac’s display screen to another person’s Mac instantly from iMessage — no third-party apps or downloads required.
It’s nice if you want to give tech assist to a member of the family in a pinch; usually you simply have to see what’s taking place as a substitute of relying on what your expensive outdated father is making an attempt to explain over the cellphone. Get him to share his display screen with you, and also you possible can resolve his drawback shortly.
Even higher, it’s not sophisticated establishing display screen sharing on a Mac like it’s on a PC. It takes only some clicks within the Messages app. Let me present you throughout this superior hidden function.
Tips on how to share your display screen on a Mac
You don’t want the newest Mac or the newest software program replace to make use of this function; I keep in mind discovering it almost 10 years in the past in OS X Yosemite. That covers Macs as outdated as 2009.
Plus, you are able to do greater than see the opposite Mac person’s display screen. You possibly can take full management remotely, discuss via the microphone and copy-and-paste stuff between the 2 Macs. It’s easy, but extremely helpful.
Begin display screen sharing from iMessage
First, be sure each Macs have the Messages app open in addition to sturdy web connections. Click on in your iMessage thread with that particular person, then click on the ⓘ within the higher proper nook.
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Click on the share button. If you wish to present them your display screen, click on Invite to Share My Display screen. If you wish to see their display screen, click on Ask to Share Display screen.
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
The opposite particular person will obtain a notification within the higher proper nook of their Mac’s display screen. They should click on Settle for. Then, a window could seem the place they’ll select whether or not to allow you to management the display screen or simply watch. As soon as they click on Settle for, display screen sharing will begin.
Mute the microphone
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
By default, when your display screen is being shared, your microphone may even be energetic so the opposite particular person can hear you talking. It’s very easy to show this off, although. On the correct facet of the menu bar, you’ll see a blue icon to regulate the screen-sharing session. Click on that and click on Mute Microphone to chop it off.
Nevertheless, understand that if the opposite particular person has management of your display screen, in the event that they so select, they’ll maliciously flip it again on by clicking the identical menu icon.
Take management
Screenshot: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
In case you’re seeing their display screen and also you need to have the ability to management their mouse and keyboard remotely, click on the pointer icon within the toolbar (or go to View > Swap to Management Mode within the menu bar). This may ship them a request they’ll settle for or deny. In the event that they settle for, your mouse will management the cursor on their pc and your keyboard will management theirs.
If you want to test one thing by yourself pc actually shortly, you’re not trapped. Simply transfer your mouse out of the window and you may management your individual Mac. For the keyboard, you want to be sure Display screen Sharing isn’t the energetic window. Simply test which app is within the menu bar to make certain.
Copy and paste throughout screens
It’s simply as simple to repeat and paste bits of textual content or pictures out of your Mac to the opposite particular person’s Mac. Say you’re display screen sharing and also you simply discovered a useful web site you wish to ship over. Be sure Shared Clipboard is on by clicking Clipboard within the toolbar (or go to Edit > Use Shared Clipboard).
Then, no matter you copy out of your Mac (⌘C) you may paste onto the opposite Mac (⌘V).
Be cautious of screen-sharing scams
Clearly, it is a highly effective function that you just wish to be extraordinarily cautious with. It’s best to solely settle for screen-sharing requests from individuals you already know.
Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, PayPal, it doesn’t matter who — official corporations will by no means ask to see your display screen out of the blue. In case you get a cellphone name or e mail claiming there’s one thing flawed together with your pc and they should display screen share or take management, instantly grasp up and report the decision as spam.
