Screen sharing via Back to my Mac

I'm away from home for work.
I have my iMac at home, connected to my internet connection which I know is working. It is on the DMZ on my network so there are typically no issues with blocked ports and the firewall is turned off.
With me I have my Macbook Pro. Both machines are on 10.10.2
When I sign into BtmM on both machines the iMac shows up in finder on the MBP, however Finder says not connected and when i click share screen I get connection failed.
What can I do to troubleshoot this to try and find what part of the chain the issue lies in? I won't be home for another few weeks, but should be able to make changes remotely (the iMac is on, I'm using it to chat to my partner daily and managed to connect remotely via Team Viewer tonight)
TIA

Hey TKarbon,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Here is a good article to use to resolve connection issues with Back to My Mac.
If you have issues using Back to My Mac - Apple Support
Regards,
Jeff D.

Similar Messages

Screen Sharing using Back to my Mac

I'm trying to use screen sharing for the first time between my 27" mid 2010 iMac and 15" MacBook Pro Retina late 2013 using both OSX 10.9.4 on a local network using Back to my Mac feature. I enabled screen sharing and made sure Remote Management is disabled and also on firewall the screen sharing has allow incoming connections enabled. I also have my Back to my Mac checked on my iCloud settings.
And so I opened Finder window on both computers and on the sidebars from each of the computers it showed the shared devices. So from my Macbook or iMac, I click on the device and then click on the share screen button and a menu popup asking me how i want to connect either as a registered user or using an Apple ID. I selected using and apple ID and it automatically provide a drop down showing my apple id and I click connect but all I get is an error message saying "Authentication failed to iMac" or vice versa.
What am I doing wrong? Is there any other option for me to do screen sharing without using a third party app? Please advise. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Thanks for your input. At home, I use a Time Capsule, with the absolute latest firmware, so it should be suitable.
However, I might have problems with the setup? If I turn off and on Back to my Mac under iCloud settings, sometimes I get a message that I should enable NAT/UnPP. Checking the setup of the Time Capsule, the router is in Bridge mode (NAT off). If I try turning on NAT, I get an error in Airport Utility about double NAT.
Any advice on this?

Screen Sharing with Back to my Mac

This little detail is different under 10.7 than 10.6, it has taken me some hours of frustration to sort out by trial and error. I haven't seen it documented anywhere.
When a Back to my Mac user connects to another Mac to share the screen, if the userid used for the sharing connection is the same as the active user on the shared system, then sharing starts immediately upon successful authentication. If the userid used for the sharing connection is different than the active user, then the active user must give permission for screen sharing to start.
One of the consequences is that a sharing only user ID can only be used to start unattended access if the unattended machine is at the login screen.
This is in contrast to 10.6, where any userid can start screen sharing without permission of the active user.

Editing original post:
I'm trying to access my home Mac Mini from outside the home using a Macbook. I'm trying to use Leopard's screen sharing using .Mac and no luck, I can't see my Mac Mini outside my network.
At home, I've got the Mac Mini:
(1) running the latest Leopard
(2) connected to .Mac with Back to My Mac running
(3) File Sharing, Web Sharing, Remote Login, and Remote Management all on
(4) Time Capsule with the latest f/w updates running PPPoE to a DSL modem
At work, I've got the Macbook running:
(1) running the latest Leopard
(2) connected to .Mac with Back to My Mac running
(3) File Sharing, Web Sharing, Remote Login, and Remote Management all on
When I'm at home, I can screen share between Macs no problem. However, at work, I can't see my home Mac Mini. I know that it is possible to get through my company firewall because I can get my Slingbox to work at the office.
Suggestions where to start? I'm kinda stuck.

Can only access one Mac via Back to my Mac

I have Back to My Mac set up on my home Mac and two Macs at my office. I can successfully connect to one of the Macs at the office from home, but not the other.
Both office Macs are running Mountain Lion, have Back to My Mac enabled with the same iCloud account credentials, and are on the same LAN/router/switch. My home Mac is running 10.7.5 and cannot be upgraded to 10.8 (it's a very old Mac Pro 1,1.)
Because both office Macs are on the same LAN, those Macs can see one another in the Shared Sidebar in Finder, and I can Screen Connect that way, but I can't access the second office Mac from home for some reason.
I've tried stopping/starting Back to My Mac on the troublesome Mac numerous times (as well as my home Mac), and followed the instructions elsewhere on Apple's site to delete all the Back to my Mac Keychains and recycle the connection, but it didn't help.
Because it's a corporate network, I don't have direct access to the router settings (both work Macs complain that NAT-PMP and/or UPnP aren't on, but since I can still connect to one work Mac from home, that doesn't appear to be the problem.) Both Macs are connected exactly to the network the same way, though, so I'm confused as to why one Mac works while the other doesn't.
Are there any other settings I can check or confirm on the problematic Mac? Am I incorrect in assuming I should be able to connect to two different Macs remotely using the same iCloud account? I just assumed all the Macs I have would be connectable via Back to My Mac if they used the same credentials.
Thanks,
R

Hello Robbie,
Thank you so much for the details you provided reguarding the Back to My Mac trouble you are experiencing. You have taken some really good troubleshooting steps already, but I recommend reviewing the steps in the section titled "Troubleshooting Back to My Mac" in the following article (you can skip the steps you have already gone through):
OS X: Using and troubleshooting Back to My Mac with your iCloud account
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4907
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

Screen Sharing via iCloud on Lion Freezes at Login Screen

After updating to OSX Lion 10.7.3, screen sharing between two computers via the Internet allows me to connect to the remote computer and see the remote user's login screen, but as soon as I click on a user to login, the screen share image freezes before I can enter the user password.
Using iCloud Back to My Mac because all machines have the same Apple ID & password. Exact same setup worked before the 10.7.3 upgrade, but it could be coincidence.
Details:
Can see the remote computers in my finder,
Can click on them and connect successfully using either the Apple ID or the name and password a user that is allowed under Sharing -> Screen Sharing,
When clicking on "Screen Share," the computers connect and I'm prompted to either "Ask to Share the Display" or "Connect to Virtual Display"Since there really isn't anyone using the computer, I select "Connect to Virtual Display"
After clicking "Connect to Virtual Display" the Screen Sharing window shows the remote computer's login screen, whcih shows the user names, their icons and "Sleep" "Restart" or "Shut Down" on the bottom of the screen. One user has an orange circle with a white checkmark next to it.
Previously, I could click a user's name or icon, enter the password and control the remote Mac. Now, not amount of clicking works.
Have tried disconnecting and reconnecting as different users or using Apple ID without changes in the perofmance. Have restarted both machines.
Any help?

I'm having the same problem screen sharing to a Lion 10.7.3 machine, I get this message.
However, it works just like it used to when I screen share from a 10.7.3 machine to another Mac running 10.6.8.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

Why is my iMac dropping off as shared volume- Back-to-My-Mac

I have a 21.5" iMac 2.5GHz mid 2011, 12GB ram running Lion 10.7.4.
It is connected via ethernet to a gen 5 Airport Extreme, so Airport on the iMac is off. I am also running a MBP .
Both are on iCloud Back-to-My-Mac. When the iMac is awake, it shows up on the MBP as a shared volume. After it goes to sleep, it disappears as a shared volume. Wake for network activity is checked on the iMac. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time, but it always drops off after it goes to sleep.
I don't remember having this problem before. The only thing I have changed is that I had been using a 1st gen Airport Extreme and upgraded to this 5th gen.
I've checked everything I can think of but the problem persists.
Anyone have any thoughts as to why the iMac keeps disappearing?

I have a 21.5" iMac 2.5GHz mid 2011, 12GB ram running Lion 10.7.4.
It is connected via ethernet to a gen 5 Airport Extreme, so Airport on the iMac is off. I am also running a MBP .
Both are on iCloud Back-to-My-Mac. When the iMac is awake, it shows up on the MBP as a shared volume. After it goes to sleep, it disappears as a shared volume. Wake for network activity is checked on the iMac. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time, but it always drops off after it goes to sleep.
I don't remember having this problem before. The only thing I have changed is that I had been using a 1st gen Airport Extreme and upgraded to this 5th gen.
I've checked everything I can think of but the problem persists.
Anyone have any thoughts as to why the iMac keeps disappearing?

How to avoid "share screen request" in "back to my mac"

I tried to use back to my mac screen sharing and it waits for a response to a "share screen request" on the target mac. Is there a way to avoid this? I can't see the value of trying to remotely operate the target mac if someone needs to be there to respond to the "share screen request".

I see that. The problem is that the log in choice only lets me share the screen of my admin account. I want to share the screen of a standard account which is where I do all my work. So I connect to the standard account and then when I go to share the screen I get the "share screen request"
I just tried to log out of the admin account and into the standard remotely and that worked. Strange way to do it but as long as it works I'm fine with it.
Thanks for the response, it did solve my question because it helped me figure out how to do it.

Video/Screen Sharing via 3G connection not possible - port restrictions?

I'm running Jabber-based iChat AV 5.0.3 sessions from my MBP connected to the Internet via a wireless USB modem 3G/UMTS (German Telekom D1 network). My buddies are connected to the Internet via regular broadband connections (DSL). I have set up a hosted Jabber server via Dreamhost (without SSL, port 5222 used).
Status Quo:
- Contact status of remote Jabber users shows up properly. All buttons (text chat, screen sharing, video) are available (not greyed out) on both sides.
- Text chat works fine.
- Video chat and screen sharing can be invoked from both sides (confirmation window shows up), but after confirmation the initiation process doesn't finish successfully. The video/screen sharing session doesn't run. *iChat AV shows a message indicating that it doesn't receive an answer from the remote user device.* If the iChat session is initiated from a buddy's computer, the buddy gets the same message respectively.
- For testing purposes, I changed the internet connection on my MBP from the mobile 3G USB modem to a regular *DSL broadband connection (same ISP, German Telekom). In this scenario, video/audio calls and screen sharing work flawlessly!* Therefore, I assume that the problems in 3G connection mode is caused by the ISP (German Telekom) blocking/restricting ports required by iChat AV for initiating the video call and streaming the data on their 3G network.
Is there any way to bypass ISP restrictions, by either changing specific iChat AV port settings on both ends (client devices) or by port forwarding? If yes, which settings should I change? Unfortunately, it's couldn't find any document indicating which ports are opened/allowed by German Telekom's 2G/3G (GSM/UMTS) network.
Below is an excerpt of the error message produced by iChat AV:
iChat Connection Log:
2010-11-09 21:18:19 +0100: AVChat started with ID 494414145.
2010-11-09 21:18:19 +0100: [email protected]: State change from AVChatNoState to AVChatStateWaiting.
2010-11-09 21:18:19 +0100: 0x1a8bf8b0: State change from AVChatNoState to AVChatStateInvited.
2010-11-09 21:18:28 +0100: 0x1a8bf8b0: State change from AVChatStateInvited to AVChatStateConnecting.
2010-11-09 21:18:28 +0100: [email protected]: State change from AVChatStateWaiting to AVChatStateConnecting.
2010-11-09 21:18:48 +0100: 0x1a8bf8b0: State change from AVChatStateConnecting to AVChatStateEnded.
2010-11-09 21:18:48 +0100: 0x1a8bf8b0: Error -8 (Did not receive a response from 0x1a8bf8b0.)
2010-11-09 21:18:48 +0100: [email protected]: State change from AVChatStateConnecting to AVChatStateEnded.
2010-11-09 21:18:48 +0100: [email protected]: Error -8 (Did not receive a response from 0x1a8bf8b0.)
Video Conference Error Report:
0.000000 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/DotMacConfiguration.m:1039 type=4 (FFFFFFFF/2)
[HTTP GET failed (0)]
0.000627 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/DotMacConfiguration.m:758 type=4 (FFFFFFFF/0)
[HTTP GET failed (0)]
0.346813 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/DotMacConfiguration.m:758 type=4 (FFFFFFFF/0)
[HTTP GET failed (0)]
1331.086051 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/SIP.c:2917 type=4 (900A0015/0)
[SIPConnectIPPort failed]
1333.086142 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/SIP.c:2917 type=4 (900A0015/0)
[SIPConnectIPPort failed]
1335.086270 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/SIP.c:2917 type=4 (900A0015/0)
[SIPConnectIPPort failed]
1337.086603 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/SIP.c:2917 type=4 (900A0015/0)
[SIPConnectIPPort failed]
1339.087985 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/SIP.c:2917 type=4 (900A0015/0)
[SIPConnectIPPort failed]
1341.088212 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/SIP.c:2917 type=4 (900A0015/0)
[SIPConnectIPPort failed]
1343.088361 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/SIP.c:2917 type=4 (900A0015/0)
[SIPConnectIPPort failed]
Video Conference Support Report:
929.446913 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2059 type=2 (00000000/0)
[Connection Data for call id: 1 returns 1
934.996640 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2074 type=2 (00000000/0)
[Prepare Connection With Remote Data - remote VCConnectionData: 1, local VCConnectionData: 1
935.002114 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2266 type=2 (00000000/0)
[Initiate Conference To User: u0 with Remote VCConnectionData: 1 with Local Connection Data: 1 conferenceSettings: 1]
935.467624 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/SIP/Transport.c:2138 type=1 (00000000/0)
[INVITE sip:user@rip:16402 SIP/2.0
Via: SIP/2.0/UDP lip:16402;branch=z9hG4bK0fdd30e326aa779b
Max-Forwards: 70
To: "u0" <sip:user@rip:16402>
From: "0" <sip:user@lip:16402>;tag=544473054
Call-ID: 9c7ecf46-ec3d-11df-8530-f81eeb5f4012@lip
CSeq: 1 INVITE
Contact: <sip:user@lip:16402>;isfocus
User-Agent: Viceroy 1.4
Content-Type: application/sdp
Content-Length: 708
Video Conference User Report:
928.427249 @:0 type=5 (00000000/16402)
[Local SIP port]
934.996832 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2171 type=5 (00000000/0)
*[Remote Router]*
*[PORT RESTRICTED]*
934.996842 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2173 type=5 (00000000/0)
[Remote CommNAT Result: 0x000000d0
936.003962 @:0 type=5 (00000000/60)
[Detected bandwidth (kbits/s): 2627 up, 2627 down. (00000000)
936.033015 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VideoConferenceMultiController.m:2423 type=5 (00000000/0)
[Start Conference With UserID: u0]
978.787787 @:0 type=5 (00000000/16402)
[Local SIP port]
1014.011790 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2171 type=5 (00000000/0)
[Remote Router]
[PORT RESTRICTED]
1014.011800 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2173 type=5 (00000000/0)
[Remote CommNAT Result: 0x000000d0
1015.024555 @:0 type=5 (00000000/60)
[Detected bandwidth (kbits/s): 2627 up, 2627 down. (00000000)
1015.031800 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VideoConferenceMultiController.m:2423 type=5 (00000000/0)
[Start Conference With UserID: u0]
1323.083386 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2171 type=5 (00000000/0)
[Remote Router]
[PORT RESTRICTED]
1323.083396 @/SourceCache/VideoConference/VideoConference-415.22/Video Conference/VCInitiateConference.m:2173 type=5 (00000000/0)
[Remote CommNAT Result: 0x000000d0
(…)

Hi,
Does this 3G device have any set up functions that are on your Mac ?
If it does not it is likely that it is wide open to all Port (65535 of them).
I presume that in System Preferences > Network you see a Public IP when using this device ?
Again this would tend to pint to all the ports being open.
Is there anything on the ISP's web site that suggests this device is unsuitable to be used with VoIP or SIP connections ?
VoIP (Voice over the Internet) uses the SIP connection process the way iChat does.
Most likely the issues is the way packets are sent.
When you do a download, for instance, do you find the speed increases in the first few minutes ?
When some data packets are sent over the Internet the next one is not sent until confirmation that the first has arrived.
This Latency effects Point to Point WiFi (antenna to Dish on House) and satellite connections mostly particularly when it is a two way thing.
It can effect Mobile/Cell phone type connections.
What sort of Speeds are you getting on the 3G device ?
http://www.speedtest.net/
Do these seem to get faster as the time proceeds ? (this can be difficult to spot).
The Log mentions one end being at just over 2Gbps although it does not make it clear which end.
As the Remote end is the end that reports "Router: Port Restricted" and it works over standard DSL we have to presume they have the ports open.
You could try restricting iChat 's Bandwidth in iChat menu > Preferences > Video Section to 500kbps (try it at both ends)
If that does not work try 200kbps
This may stop iChat from trying to send data too Fast for the Network Connections.
Realistically there are a few too many variables here.
It could be Speed of data throughout at the Initiation point. (Slow Start up of data transfer)
It could be an Internal setting preventing SIP.
It could be that the 3G network sends and receives data by different routes.
(I have seen this once when a ISP was repairing some Cabling. To maintain end user speeds they managed their own network to split Incoming and outgoing data to the end point.)
iChat does not like this as it checks the IPs and the Hops (number of intermediate stages/servers) and if the data is different it will not connect (Man in the Middle attack protection).
I can't remember the last time I knew of someone being successful with either an 3G USB dongle or a 3G phone as Modem (internet Sharing).
Despite my ideas I think you will be unlucky and this will not work.
10:31 PM Saturday; November 13, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Is it faster to download files from a remote server or file sharing with Back To My Mac?

I am trying to send somebody a 6GB file using Back To My Mac. I had them set up my Apple ID in iCloud in System Preferences on their Mac and check the box for Back to My Mac. Went into Sharing preferences to check the boxes for File Sharing and Screen Sharing.
From my Mac I then went to that shared computer in the Finder, copied over my file but it's showing that it will take 27hrs to transfer.
Is this normal? And if so would setting up a server for remote access be better for transferring such large files?
Any other mind blowing ideas would be most welcome for remote large file tranfer.
Jazz
Message was edited by: ShadowRa
Message was edited by: ShadowRa

Download history usually will have the link back to the original source location. Assuming that still exists, it's worth a try. When you right-click (Ctrl+click) an item, the small context menu should let you copy the URL of the original source, which you then can paste into the address bar to fetch it again. If the original download required you to be logged in to the source site, you should log in again first to increase your odds of getting the download.

Improve Screen Sharing, via dedicated Ethernet

I have 2 mac pros on a network together.
A >>> Network >>>B
but I can also join via ethernet A >>>> B directly.
With screen sharing it using port 5900.
Is it possible to port only this traffic via the ethernet port2 (A>>B) so that it doesn't get restricted by other data?

Seem to have sorted it now after much fiddling.

Screen sharing via Airport

I have a 500mhz G4 running 10.4.11 with Airport card that I'd like to set up behind my TV and use for TV recording. I want to do this without having a monitor or keyboard connected.
I can setup screen sharing so I can use screen sharing with my Macbook Pro via ethernet but if I want to do it via Airport, it seems that I need to set it up manually every time I start the G4.
10.5 allows this but I would like to stay with 10.4 on this machine.

In answer to the first question - Yes, I have a .Mac account, and both machines are set to access this account. With reference to the UpnP question - harder to anwer. I would guess I do at home, as Screen Sharing works there (though of course this leaves open the question of AppleTalk enablement under either AirPort or ethernet). Not so sure about work - do you know of a way I can check this?
Thanks - you may be on to something.

Configure Screen Sharing via ssh

I have a couple of macs sitting at a remote location that currently has no people there. i need to get into the machines via VNC (have windows at my current location), to see something on the screen. unfortunately, last time i was in front of these machines, i turned on screen sharing, but did not enable the VNC password option. is there a way to configure that option remotely via ssh? I'd really hate to have to drive 2 hours to go hit a simple tick mark on a screen...

You can use the ARDAgent kickstart tool to set the password for VNC access. The command to do this is...
sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/k ickstart -activate -configure -clientopts -setvnclegacy -vnclegacy yes -setvncpw -vncpw YOURPASSHERE -restart -agent

Problems with Screen Share with Back to My Mac

Hi everyone, I'm at a loss right now... I had Screen sharing previously working with my fathers Macbook air (using my apple ID) so i could help him with troubleshooting from time to time. I just recently did a clean reinstall of Mountain Lion on my iMac. I am in the process of setting everything up again but it doesn't seem to be working. I have done what the directions call for but it's still not working. Not sure if it has to do with my clean install and having to redo something on my fathers computer too. another strange problem is that in the sharing section of my Macs system prefs, under screen sharing I am unable to remove any users from the Allow Access for section. the button does nothing at all. can someone do a step by step on how to make that connection to my fathers computer. and yes Back to my mac is turned on on both computers. thanks
ps. I just noticed that i have a couple of Unknown users under my
Allow Access for section, and i can't delete them either.

I see that. The problem is that the log in choice only lets me share the screen of my admin account. I want to share the screen of a standard account which is where I do all my work. So I connect to the standard account and then when I go to share the screen I get the "share screen request"
I just tried to log out of the admin account and into the standard remotely and that worked. Strange way to do it but as long as it works I'm fine with it.
Thanks for the response, it did solve my question because it helped me figure out how to do it.

IChat screen sharing under Leopard; do all Mac need to be running Leopard?

Or will it work even if they are running Tiger, as long as I'm running Leopard? Note that this feature is new, I believe, with Leopard. Also, how is this feature different from Apple's Remote Desktop utility?
Thanks!
Bruce

Screen sharing via iChat requires that both machines to be on Leopard. You can connect and run another Tiger machine on the same network by connecting to it. You need to set/turn on the Apple Remote Desktop option from the System Preferences/Sharing on the Macs running Tiger. You then should be able to control the Tiger mac from the leopard machine. I don't think it will work the other way.
Message was edited by: Anastassios T

Screen Sharing issue with VNC from Mac to PC - Black Screen

I have a Mac mini at my place of work. From it, using the built-in VNC capabilities in Leopard, I am able to successfully VNC to any Windows-based PC. I have a Mac Pro at home that tomorrow I am taking to my office. From my home I VPN into my office and want to VNC to my computers from the Mac Pro sitting at home. VPN connects just fine and when I attempt to VNC, I get a response from the computer at work and am prompted for the password and then I get connected. The problem is that the VNC screen is black. I can see that I am connected to the right computer because it's name is at the top, but there is basically no display. Tomorrow the Mac Pro will leave my home to be placed in my office. However, I am going to get an iMac for my home and need this functionality. I anticipate that I will have a similar problem with the iMac and would like to get it fixed now. Any thoughts on why I am seeing this? BTW...VNC works fine using Chicken of the VNC on my old iMac G3 running Panther over the VPN.
Thanx...Jon
Message was edited by: jhyiesla

I have the exact same problem! I can connect using RealVNC viewer, but, on Leopard's in-built Screen Sharing app, I can authenticate, and see the computer name on top, but, there is simply no display! I have opened all ports on my router, and completely doing away with the Leopard firewall also doesn't seem to help!
Any leads yet?

Screen sharing via Back to my Mac

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