Screen Sharing only working one way

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Level 1

148 points

Screen Sharing only working one way

I know I'm missing something easy...

My brother-in-law and I are the main tech support for our mother-in-law. Historically we've used screen sharing via messages but after she got a new MacBook we're having a problem.

If we go into messages, then details, the screen sharing icon is greyed out for her. We can't ask to share her screen. This weekend we were at her house for Easter and we tried it on the same network. Same issue. Interesting thing is that going from her computer we could select details in the same message and the screen sharing icon is active. I can click on it and "Ask to Share My Screen" and it works fine. So why can my mother-in-law request for us to share her screen but we can't do the reverse from our end?

Bottom line, she can initiate Screen Sharing. We can't request it of her. Any thoughts?

All computers running Yosemite.

Posted on Mar 27, 2016 9:51 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 28, 2016 1:17 PM in response to Chris Brestle

Hi,

IF you are using AIM accounts to Screen Share then the item in the Video Menu needs to be On at both ends.

If it is the iMessages method that invokes the Screen Sharing App then System Preferences > Screen Sharing needs to be On at both ends.

This also needs allow "Anyone" as the named option mean that person has to have Mac User Account on the receiving computer.

9:17 pm Monday; March 28, 2016

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

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Answer 2

BobHarris

Level 9

57,185 points

Mar 27, 2016 5:27 PM in response to Chris Brestle

I do not know the answer, and I had this problem going from Mavericks to Yosemite (me to my sister). But going from Mavericks and El Capitan to Mountain Lion worked fine (my Mom).

Again, I do not know why, but I would suggest you look at using TeamViewer.com until you and your brother-in-law decide to upgrade to a newer version of OS X. TeamViewer.com is very effective, and it is "Free" for personal use, which would be your situation.

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