I keep getting this message, "your screen is being observed" before I log into my iMac. How do I stop my screen from being observed?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.12
This message means that an app has permission to "see" the contents of your screen and is currently exercising that privilege. (It need not be recording of the screen per se. )
Of the built-in apps, this is typically the built-in Screen Capture feature has been unknowingly triggered to record your screen (Shift-Cmd-5).
Of the 3rd-party apps, it would be one or more of the apps in Apple Menu > System Preferences… > Security & Privacy > Screen Recording
I got this message when using VSCode i accidentally started recording my screen with an extension called “Chronicler”. Once i stopped the recording the message disappeared. I then deleted the 3 hour video. 🤷🏽♀️
I don't think this is a helpful reply. I see the same message and, as another poster wrote, it comes from enabling the DisplayLink driver which I use on my M1 MBP to allow me to connect an extra external display.
A more helpful reply would have been something along the lines of:
"This may be due to a third party software application that needs access to the screen data for a legitimate reason or it may be due to a virus (although OS X is fairly immune to viruses)"
I am pointing this out because in a user support forum it is important to provide accurate information to someone seeking assistance.
I got this after using Airplay screen mirroring, leaving my laptop for a while & then returning.
I'm assuming it has to do with Airplay (I hope).
A couple of teachers at my school reported this error, and it turns out it was caused by the Screencastify Chrome Browser extension.
That is a scam. Please download and use Malwarebytes and it should be removed. Also please read Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams
Thanks for your quick response. I've run Malwarebytes several times (running it again now) and it doesn't identify any viruses. I'm very careful about the scams you listed.
I also got this message while using AirPlay to use my Apple TV as a separate display (not mirroring). When I disconnected AirPlay the message on the lock screen went away.
why does the message appear went I sign-on to my mac "the screen is being observed"
I am getting your screen is being observed Is this something I have to worry about
I checked the screen recording with CMD+Shift+5 and could stop the recording. However, I get this every time. It's like it starts automatically with recording. How do I stop that?
I don't want this screen is being observed. I don't understand why the recording. How do I stop it?
I force quit Google Chrome and the issue resolved! Thank you :) Happy to know what was causing it.
I just had the same message and realized that I accidentally hit "record" vs "capture" while doing a screen save last night. Was able to delete the recording - eats a lot of space too.
Hi,
When you get this message, it means there a software is implemented or installed on your Imac which can capture/ record your screen.
I got this too. The reason for mine i think it was because i screen recorded and i forgot to stop it.
“Your screen is being observed” Mac Message
