To control another Mac remotely using screen sharing, first enable screen sharing on the target Mac by going to System Settings > Sharing and checking Screen Sharing, then connect from another Mac via Finder or manually using the remote Mac’s IP address. 1. Enable screen sharing in System Settings and set access permissions. 2. Connect via Shared in Finder or use “Connect to Server” with the VNC address and IP. 3. Once connected, control the remote Mac using your mouse and keyboard, toggle between view and control modes, and be aware that file transfers require other tools like AirDrop. Ensure both Macs are awake and preferably on the same network for best results.

If you've ever needed to take control of another Mac remotely—like helping a friend fix an issue or collaborating on a project—screen sharing is one of the easiest and most built-in ways to do it, especially if both devices are on the same network or connected via iCloud. Here’s how to actually use screen sharing to control another Mac without extra software.

Enable Screen Sharing on the Target Mac

Before you can control another Mac, that computer needs to be set up for screen sharing. This is usually done through System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).

• Go to System Settings > Sharing.
• Check the box next to Screen Sharing.
• You can also specify which users are allowed to connect by clicking Computer Settings, then choosing options like “Anyone may request permission to control screen” or limiting access to specific accounts.

Make sure the target Mac is awake and not in sleep mode. If it's asleep, your connection will fail.

Connect from Another Mac Using Screen Sharing

Once screen sharing is enabled on the target machine, connecting from your own Mac is straightforward.

• Open Finder, then look at the left sidebar under Shared. The other Mac should appear there if both are on the same local network.
• Click on the remote Mac, then click Share Screen or Remote Management depending on what shows up.
• Enter the username and password of the target Mac when prompted.

If you don’t see the remote Mac listed, try connecting manually:

1. Open Finder > Go > Connect to Server (or press Cmd K).
2. Type vnc:// followed by the IP address of the remote Mac (you can find this in its Network settings).
3. Hit Connect, then enter login credentials.

You’ll get a live view of the other Mac’s desktop and full control as long as permissions allow it.

Control Options and Tips While Screen Sharing

When you're connected, you’re not just watching—you can fully interact with the remote Mac.

• Once connected, move your mouse around and click as usual. Your actions will happen on the remote screen.
• If you're helping someone, you can toggle between "view only" and "control" modes by clicking the small menu bar that appears during the session.
• You can also send keyboard shortcuts like Command Tab or even Command Q using your own keyboard—they'll apply on the remote machine.

A few things to note:

• If the remote user is logged in physically, they might see your cursor moving around.
• File transfers aren’t supported directly through screen sharing, so you’ll need to use AirDrop or Messages for that.
• If you're connecting over the internet instead of a local network, port forwarding or third-party tools like LogMeIn or AnyDesk might be more reliable.

That’s basically how you use screen sharing to control another Mac. It’s simple, built into macOS, and works great for quick help or collaboration without installing anything extra. Just remember: both Macs need to be set up properly, and ideally on the same network for the smoothest experience.

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