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Sierra screensharing not working

I run two MBP' both with 10.12.1 on it. Both are fresh installs.


I can not get screen-sharing to work if the firewall is on. If it is of no problem. I found these instructions, followed them and all worked. I turned both machines of and the next day it does not work again.


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5502112?tstart=0


Any help appreciates.


Thanks.

Posted on Nov 27, 2016 4:15 AM

Reply
56 replies

Feb 4, 2017 12:31 AM in response to striders

Thanks for your post. I solved it.


User uploaded file


These are the 3 that seem to effect the sharing.

I richt hand clicked them to show the originals (easiest way to find them in the system files).

Once found I removed them from this window.

I than added them manually from the original positions.


Restart and they held (in the past they did not). Both my MBP are now fine since about a week (wanted to test before posting).


Filesharing is now working fine.


I also contacted Apple 6 weeks ago, got escalated to level 2, and they simple are not answering when I ask where it is at.

Feb 7, 2017 8:20 AM in response to ChangeAgent

Thanks, ChangeAgent.


Unfortunately, I think Apple made changes in macOS Sierra 10.12.3 so the solution no longer works:


1). screensharingd is no longer shown in the list. In place, there is one called "Screen Sharing" and it is not editable

User uploaded file


2). Even if I want to add screensharingd manually, it is no longer selectable when I try to add it to Firewall Options. The file is actually greyed out.


User uploaded file

Lets hope Apple fixed it in the next release.

Feb 8, 2017 12:16 AM in response to striders

Crivens!


There is always the possibility to reinstall the OS from the recovery system. Sometimes that helps to solve little things. In my experience this never causes problems, but I can not guarantee it. Having said that here are two pics of both the MBP' I solved the problem with.


User uploaded file


User uploaded file


They are the same. But I remembered I had to put screensharingd in twice. Try that. If you do not know where the others are hiding search for the name using EaseyFind, as this looks much deeper in the system compared to find.


Hope this helps.

Feb 8, 2017 11:08 PM in response to ChangeAgent

Thanks again for the recommendation.


I tried your recommendation but alas, it's not working either. I am convinced it has to do with 10.12.3 or the update messed some existing files/configurations from 10.12. With 10.12.3, enabling Remote Management did not add screensharingd, but it will add Screen Sharing at the top and that one cannot be changed (right clicking will not show "Show in finder"). Something must've changed considerably underneath the hood.


User uploaded file


I am holding off doing a restore for now since it'll be a monumental task for me to restore everything back (settings, mails, files, etc.). Right now I am using RealVNC (maker of VNC) and it work well. I also tried Parallel Access and although it is not free, it allows the MacBook screen to be locked when accessed remotely.

Jan 10, 2017 11:19 AM in response to ChangeAgent

HI !

Did you followed the steps as per the article : macOS Sierra: Set up and use screen sharing

Different methods are used for screen sharing : macOS Sierra: Share your screen using Back to My Mac

macOS Sierra: Ways to share your screen, files, and more with others on your network

The problem for connection of MBP to MBP they should not be of same version ( not sure ) , as I have again seen your original post , whenever you shut down the machine or restart , the screen sharing settings will be removed / will to go to default .

Feb 3, 2017 9:35 PM in response to ChangeAgent

Seems that this has happened before and very frequently with each OSX/macOS update. This essentially make OSX/macOS not suitable for remote management without using 3rd party apps.


Some of the issues reported from way back in 2009:


2009: Can't connect to Snow Leopard from Windows PC via VnC or TeamViewer

2013: VNC conflict with system firewall

2015: http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/192034/vnc-connection-to-os-x-yosemite- 10-10-not-working-with-firewall-enabled

2016: Mac VNC not working after Security Update 2016-002


And as of 2017.. this thread.

Jan 10, 2017 3:58 AM in response to ChangeAgent

Hi ChangeAgent,

sorry to come in a bit late.

I run a headless server and since my upgrade to macOS 10.12 I have not been able to connect with Screensharing.

However unlike you and tygb I have "solved" it by plugging in a monitor. As soon as you connect a monitor screensharing comes up.

However if you reboot without a monitor all goes back to black/unresponsive screens.

Have YOU tried this?

This observation makes me suggest, that the problem is NOT related to firewall....or at least not directly...

Anyway... will fiddle around a bit with my firewall after you two set me into that direction...

For me it is a bug in Sierra... because I run a headless mini 2010 since...2010... always without any need to plugin Monitors...

thank you for you thread.

Pierre

Jan 10, 2017 3:27 PM in response to tygb

Tygb

Yes.. All ok and working. Just when you do not have a monitor plugged in screensharing does not come up after a restart.

Also.. since it is a server, I would/should/could not use Airdrop, backtomymac and all these other things which are for home users but should use Remote Access.. This is enabled and works fine......once a monitor is plugged in.. In El Capitan and all other iterations it was NOT necessary to have ever a monitor plugged in.

Yours

P

Jan 11, 2017 6:53 AM in response to Pierre Froelicher1

You said once monitored is plugged in , screen sharing will be in the process because the two Mac computers are connected with the wi fi , if you plug out the monitor plug in between the running screen sharing , the two machines will be disconnected from wifi .


In the same way , if the user plug out from the socket , network disconnects .

Feb 3, 2017 9:26 PM in response to ChangeAgent

As of February 2017, this problem still exists.


With VNC Viewer iOS (or for any platform), when macOS built-in firewall is turned on, the VNC client just hang (waiting to connect) and finally timed out. As soon as I turned OFF macOS built-in firewall, VNC client can connect.


My setup:

1). System Preferences --> Sharing

Remote Management: checked

Computer Setting --? VNC viewers may control screen with password: password entered

Message show: Other users can manage your computer using the address [my ip address here]


2). System Preferences --> Security & Privacy

Show the following:

Remote Management: Allow incoming connections

ScreenSharing: Allow incoming connections


Tested with 13 different MacBook Pros (15", 13", 2015, 2013, etc.) and all running macOS Sierra 10.12.3 - not working. Some of these MacBook Pros are brand new, straight from Apple (I run an IT shop).


Network tested on 4 different routers (home network with Orbi and Netgear, corporate network with Meraki devices, satellite office with Cisco network gear).


Apple Store Genius can't figure it out and have the "Have you tried reinstalling the os?" recommendation. Yeah, not a good recommendation given the above.


So it's not the network, it's not the computer, it has to be macOS Sierra.


BTW, I tried Parallel Access and it work just fine. I can access the folder and do remote screen sharing.

Feb 6, 2017 11:53 AM in response to ChangeAgent

@ChangeAgent:


So just to verify, this is what I need to do:


1). When I enable VNC in System Preferences, macOS will automatically added the 3 items above in Security & Privacy setting


2). I have to manually remove the 3 items above and then re-added it by pressing the "+" button and pointing to the actual file.


3). Restart


Let me know if this is correct.

Feb 7, 2017 1:51 AM in response to striders

hi striders


Yes that is how I did it and it works on two new MBP' running 10.12. And keeps working now for weeks even if I restart or shut down.


I right hand clicked them before removing them so I had the folder where they are stored, but that is just me being lazy. I am not sure if you can just drag them in or need to use the + sign. But that is the same difference.


One MBP gave me greif so I did a restart and next I repeated the trick and than it held.


Let me know how you are doing.

Feb 7, 2017 8:52 AM in response to striders

Two thoughts.


One. Mine are grey too if I select by the +, but I can add them by dragging it in to the window. Can you not drag them in? Just checked and it works. It is here: /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/screensharingd.bundle/Contents/Ma cOS/screensharingd

If you get no further than screensharingd.bundle, right hand click to open the bundle and follow the path above. Next drag it in the window. (This is why I suggested to right hand click them to get to the folder where they are, easier)


Second. If that does not work can you reverse to 10.12 as this is where I did it originally. Next I upgraded to 10.12.3. let me know how you go.

Feb 7, 2017 3:50 PM in response to ChangeAgent

Yep, I can drag it. But it still doesn't work.


I think because there is another process/file/executable that control the Screen Sharing feature, given that at the top it shows "Screen Sharing" (see my 1st screenshot above) instead of screensharingd.


I am hesistant to downgrade to 10.12.0 since past experience caused a lot of issues doing that. I think with 10.12.13, we can establish something is broken but I don't know if it's my machine or macOS itself.


For now, I am using RealVNC server, but I manually enable and disable the service since I don't want it open all the time. I have VPN at home and my thought I can VPN in and then use macOS built-inVNC. RealVNC only work with the cloud (free version).

Sierra screensharing not working

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