Does Apple allow screen sharing?

Answered by Jeremy Urbaniak

Apple does allow screen sharing. Screen sharing is a useful feature that allows you to share your Mac’s screen with others, either for collaboration, troubleshooting, or remote assistance purposes. It can be particularly handy in a work or educational setting, where you may need to demonstrate something on your screen to others who are not physically present.

One of the primary ways to enable screen sharing on a Mac is through the built-in macOS feature called “Screen Sharing.” To access this feature, you can go to the “System Preferences” on your Mac, then select the “Sharing” option. In the list of services on the left-hand side, you should see “Screen Sharing.” By checking the box next to it, you enable screen sharing on your Mac.

Once screen sharing is enabled, you can choose to either allow specific users to connect to your Mac’s screen or allow anyone on your local network to do so. You can also set a password for added security. To connect to your Mac’s screen, other users can use various screen sharing applications or built-in tools available on their devices.

Apple also provides another screen sharing feature called “iMessage Screen Sharing.” This feature allows you to share your screen directly through the iMessage app, making it convenient for sharing your screen with others who are using Apple devices. To use iMessage Screen Sharing, simply start an iMessage conversation, click on the “Details” button in the top-right corner, and select “Invite to Share My Screen.” The other person can then accept the invitation and view your screen.

In addition to these built-in screen sharing options, there are also third-party screen sharing applications available for Mac users. These applications often offer more advanced features and functionalities, such as remote control capabilities and cross-platform compatibility. Some popular third-party screen sharing applications include TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Chrome Remote Desktop.

It’s worth mentioning that screen sharing can be done not only with other Mac users but also with people using Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android devices. Most screen sharing applications and tools are cross-platform, allowing you to share your Mac’s screen with users on different operating systems.

Apple does allow screen sharing on its devices, including Macs. You can enable screen sharing through the built-in macOS feature called “Screen Sharing” or utilize the iMessage Screen Sharing option for sharing your screen directly through the iMessage app. Additionally, there are third-party screen sharing applications available for more advanced features and cross-platform compatibility. Screen sharing can be a valuable tool for collaboration, troubleshooting, and remote assistance purposes across different devices and operating systems.