Problem connecting on video chat AIM account/Messages

I have Comcast, the person I'm sharing with has service with his local municipal utility.

Hi,

If both ends are on Macs and you both have Apple IDs that are linked to iCloud, then it may pay to use the iMessages method.

Enable Screen Sharing (for Everyone) in System Preferences > Sharing.

Start a iMessages conversation with the person.

Top right of the chat window open the Details drop down.

Select the Screen Sharing icon.

This will invoke the Screen Sharing App which includes a Audio conversation.

9:01 p.m. Tuesday; September 15, 2015

Still following, I have not heard anything, can we assume apple has abandoned us on this issue? Messages is now a completely useless application for my business.

My level 2 who we have been working with for months has nothing more to offer - passed to engineering.

I check once a week or so , to see if it has been fixed, I try a chat or send a file, but nothing ever happens on the other end. Guess its time to move on.

Hi,

Whether it is true or not I must admit to feeling abandoned on this issue at this time.

I am getting a nasty feeling that in this case people are going to be forced to give up on AIM and Jabber video Chats (And Screen Sharing) in "favour" of the iMessages method.

In the past there have been various posts about Apple decisions the appear to make people update or upgrade their OS and/or computers.

It maybe that iChat and early versions of Messages are now in that boat.

I am not sure that I want to learn three apps (FaceTime, Messages and Screen Sharing app).

7:29 p.m. Sunday; September 20, 2015

It would be a shame if Apple gave up on Messages for videochat and screensharing. I have been using FaceTime as a workaround but it is only one on one and I videochat with both my mom and brother every morning, so I am using my Mac and my iPad at the same time. I don't know how the Screensharing app works. It appears I might be able to just put in a person's AppleID to connect?

i bet someone turned off the server and forgot 🙂 It went steadily downhill for months. Now, its useless and to think they had the all in one business solution only to "F it up". Thanks Tim C.

Hi,

It works in this case like FaceTime being used (started up) from iMessages. (I.e. Messages (the iMessages account) invokes an outside app to do something - in this case something it used to do quite well with the existing accounts types, originally from iChat).

You need to go to System Preferences > Sharing and the Screen Sharing option.

This needs to be Enabled for "Everyone".

Then, like the FaceTime Connection for Video with Contacts that can be started from an iMessages conversation by using the Details option top right you can start a Screen Share.

This Invocation seems to take info from the iMessages connection to get through to the other computer without the need to sort out ports on routers.

8:58 p.m. Monday; September 21, 2015

Well, don't ask me how but my brother and I were just able to do a video call using Messages on my nd and the iChat on his end!!

Hi,

Technically iChat and Messages are compatible for this.

The issue seems to be that a large number (but not everyone) has the issue of not being able to do it.

If you are on the Same LAN then Bonjour accounts still work for all.

So does using two computers and two AIM Accounts (Screen Names) on the same LAN.

What is not working for most people is an Internet connection to some other Public IP address.

IF you could tell us the settings in your routers (both ends) and anything else it would be helpful.

8:48 pm Monday; December 21, 2015

Hi Ralph, he and I are not on the same LAN i'm in CT he's in Indy and we are on different providers. i'm not sure what setting you want to know about.

Ok,

In Messages in the Video Menu there is the Connection Doctor.

When this is open set the Network tab.

This should say whether your router is Full Cone, or Port Restricted or a couple of other possibles.

Anything but Full Cone will be Amber but it is not that crucial.

The Speed may also be amber if you have changed it in Messages > Preferences > Video Section > Bandwidth Limit drop down. (Anything other than None goes Amber).

Get the same info from your Buddy.

On the router you can normally use a web browser to access the Set up pages.

You can then set the method that ports and therefore Data is allowed on to the LAN.

Port Forwarding needs you to set up a table of Ports normally for one IP (computer) on your LAN.

Port Triggering allows you to do the same but by stating the port first used by the app (I have set the text and Logins ports as one set and Video Invite and access ports as another in the past).

UPnP is a method of allowing the computer (or other device) to tell the router which ports to open. This is time limited on most devices although the period can be a bit long. It also works fro Multiple devices that want to use the same ports.
As the FaceTime and the form of Video (or Audio) chat in Messages that we are talking about here use the same ports it means it will work for iPhones and Macs across the two apps. (they are not compatible they just use the same ports for Video and Audio chats).

DMZ short for Demilitarised Zone. This opens all the ports to one IP (computer or device) in and On Off Setting. (not very secure long term)

On some devices you might have to set ports in a table then go to a separate page to allow them in a firewall set up as well.

This can be listed as "Services" rather than Port Forwarding and the Firewall separately.

9:25 pm Monday; December 21, 2015

I spoke too soon Ralph, apparently it only worked one time, we can't seen to connect again.DAMM Apple!!

OK,

9:39 pm Tuesday; December 22, 2015

I have the same issue. My parents old MacBook White is still on Lion and I could give him remote support while I was on Lion and Mountain Lion after it. When I upgraded to Mavericks it stopped working, and it continues not to work now in Yosemite. I guess it will still not work once I move to El Cap...

Hi,

That is correct.

8:35 pm Monday; February 8, 2016