Q: I can't video conference or screen share with Messages anymore!

Hi,

This is being reported in the iChat forum  (iChat 5.0.3 at both ends specifically) and across Mavericks (so called version 8) and Yosemite's so called Version 8 that is different.

In Yosemite is is being reported for OS X 10.10.3 and OS  X 10.10.4 whilst there is no indication that Messages or part of Messages were update at either update.

At present is remains a "known Issue" with no fix.

The Symptoms  and error Log show it is at the Internet level that things have changed.

Calling over AIM or at least using AIM Screen Names to connect between two Macs on the same LAN does work.  (I have done this from Yosemite to iChat 5.0.3).  I have also seen a post with someone working extensive tests across three site of their business that say the same thing.

As FaceTime which uses the same ports but different Protocols it would seem it is something about the way Messages connects.

It seems IPv6 (which might give your Mac two "IP's) has been excluded  as a possible cause.

8:53 p.m.      Monday; July 27, 2015

for the    Points

7:52 p.m.      Tuesday; July 28, 2015

Have this same issue. It started with video chat failing to start after accepting invitations in second week in July 2015. All the chat partners who reported the issue had been using video chat and screen sharing for several years. Many different pairs of partners were seeing the same issue.

Since it started we have tested (and seen same issue) across multiple versions of OS X and multiple versions of Messages/iChat. Partners have a range of OS X versions 10.10.4 Yosemite, 10.9.5 Mavericks, 10.6.8 Snow Leopard and 10.7.5 Lion. We have tested with many different platforms (MacBook Pro, Mac mini with Apple 27" Thunderbolt Display, Mac Pro with Apple 24" Cinema display, iMac of several different models). We have tested with different ISPs (Verizon, AT&T, Cablecom, and others) and at various sites in many diff states in US (California, MS, TX, AZ). 

The one common factor is that accounts which use AIM to set up the video chat session hang (with spinning gear) and often, but not always, arouse a communications error.  Neither screen sharing nor video chat is working. Problem is bi-directional, either partner can issue an invite and when other side accepts the session does not start.

I should mention that text chat with AIM is working ... among these partners who cannot video chat.

Did you test  systems on local LAN with only AIM accounts enabled (that is without Bonjour or other account/protocols enabled)?

In our tests, when Bonjour is not enabled, Messages video chat and screen sharing could not start for systems on same WLAN at site 1  or for systems on same LAN at site 2.  These specific "local" network tests were only done with Yosemite 10.10.4  systems ...

My apologies, subsequent testing on two WLAN connected systems at site 1, with AIM accounts only enabled, Video chat in Messages does work.

Earlier tests had different outcome ... I am unsure what is different now ... sorry for any confusion.

hi,

I have not tested it with Bonjour and Google (Or any other Jabber) Off.

I am getting very strange results though for Google - using different apps I cannot seem to see the account as On line despite all the variants seemingly chowing the account is logged in (I can get a Buddy List).

7:25 p.m.      Thursday; July 30, 2015

I too have been having the same issue. I have worked with Apple over the last 2 weeks. The final response from Sarah Grayson Apple Senior Advisor for Mac OS X is as follows:

"From what it’s looking like, we don’t have a concrete answer. You are correct though — you’re not the only one. Our engineers have received several reports of this behavior and we are investigating. In the meantime, keep an eye out for any available software updates, as that’s how we will push any fixes through. You are now added to the list of users that engineering has for this issue.

Please let me know of any other behavior that seems abnormal, as I will add that to your case. If you would like to speak with me, do let me know and we can schedule a call. As of now, all we can do is sit tight and await that fix.

The symptoms observed and diversity of the affected systems suggests an issue that is network related (backbone communications protocol support changes), or infrastructure related. To think that this will be fixed with an update pushed from Apple to all affected systems seems optimistic, at best.

Does anyone have a system is working normally for video chat or screen sharing for AIM accounts?

That is, between Internet connected systems (i.e. not on same LAN or WLAN).

Same thing here.  Problem began to occur with install of 10.10.4 (~1 month ago).  Self hosted Jabber server, google, aim all failed to reliably connect video as they had for many years.  Whether with 10.10.4 to 10.10.4 machines or earlier all fail. Did testing with senior apple tech support and got the same response as the-real-dionysus.  Turned off and isolated each account and ran diagnostic reporting from console to apple.  For us this is a serious problem as we use screen sharing and video conferencing for tech support internally in our company.  For now the only temporary fix seems to be VPN before establishing a connection and still only reduces the chance of connection errors.  At least apple acknowledges the problem and is not trying to point the finger at ISP's.  I felt like Senior Tech support was sincere in attempts to gather proper information, lets hope engineers can escalate this to a fix soon.

Messages - Fix video chat issues

This issue [Unable to video chat or screen share]  is also being discussed in this thread: 

iChat/iMessages quit working most of the time a month ago

Yep.  There are at least 15 or so threads that mention it.  Either Video and Audio Chats or Screen Sharing with AIM and Jabber accounts.

The only point they all go through on the internet is the Apple SNATMAP sever.

Report it http://www.apple.com/feedback/ichat.html

If we all try testing the SNATMAP server then it will look like an attack anyway.

9:58 p.m.      Saturday; August 8, 2015

To help Apple in resolving a month-long outage of Messages and iChat video conferencing and screen sharing, it would be helpful if you submitted a “feedback” report to Apple using one of the links provided. The more reports the better … For others that you know who are experiencing this issue please ask them to do the same.

For iChat users,  use this report form:   http://www.apple.com/feedback/ichat.html

For Messages users,  use this report form:    http://www.apple.com/feedback/messages.html