Imessages screen sharing

Hi
I am running mountain lion. I am attempting to take over a friend's screen the way I used to be able to do in ichat, but the option is gayed out "ask to share xxx screen'.
Does screen sharing work in imessages? I've looked at one discussion thread that seemed to suggest it doesn't?
Thanks folks

Hi,
FaceTime can be invoked (Started) from the Mesages Beta if you have been iMessaging someone.
(You could also chose to Video them straightaway without texting first but the Name from the Contacts List in the "To" spot will still be based on iMessages and the Video icon will launch FaceTime.
FaceTime does not do Screen Sharing.
The Screen Sharing option (As well as the Audio Only chats and Video Chats set in the same menu) refer to the old "iChat Style" Buddy Lists and the options to connect from those.
For these you and your Buddy need the Type of Screen Name or ID to "match" in the broadest sense.
Either you both have something valid with AIM (AIM or @Mac.com and @me.com ending names from Apple IDs) or something that can be used with a Jabber login (Facebook, Google or other Jabber ID).
As long as you both use iChat or Message beta then you can Video Chat. Audio Only chat and Screen Share (AIM to AIM or Jabber to Jabber)
9:23 PM Thursday; May 31, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
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Similar Messages

IMessages screen sharing greyed out

I have a problem here, and I don't know what's wrong:
I'm on face time chatting with me, and she wants to screen share with me. I enable all options here: audio chat, video chat, and screen sharing.
Then I want to share my screen with her: I click buddies, but share screen with [person] is greyed out. I asked her via facetime to see if screen sharing and audio chat and video chat are enabled, and she said yes. Both she and I are on lion, and using Messages Beta. How can I get these menu options to no be greyed out?

Hi,
FaceTime can be invoked (Started) from the Mesages Beta if you have been iMessaging someone.
(You could also chose to Video them straightaway without texting first but the Name from the Contacts List in the "To" spot will still be based on iMessages and the Video icon will launch FaceTime.
FaceTime does not do Screen Sharing.
The Screen Sharing option (As well as the Audio Only chats and Video Chats set in the same menu) refer to the old "iChat Style" Buddy Lists and the options to connect from those.
For these you and your Buddy need the Type of Screen Name or ID to "match" in the broadest sense.
Either you both have something valid with AIM (AIM or @Mac.com and @me.com ending names from Apple IDs) or something that can be used with a Jabber login (Facebook, Google or other Jabber ID).
As long as you both use iChat or Message beta then you can Video Chat. Audio Only chat and Screen Share (AIM to AIM or Jabber to Jabber)
9:23 PM Thursday; May 31, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.7.4),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Does iMessage screen sharing still works with Yosemite ?

Till maverick, the Screen Sharing feature was perfectly working with AIM or jabber/Gtalk.
Since Yosemite I can't use anymore the function. It never works.
Sometimes the sound (audio chat) work but never the screen view.
Is there anything new in Yosemite to make it working ?

Hi,
In Yosemite the AIM and Jabber (Google) Screen Sharing still works.
However the iMessages account can now Invoke the System Screen Sharing (See System Preferences > Sharing > Screen Sharing that has to be Enabled).
this works like the Video and Audio Chats in that another App is invoked rather than use the feature already in the app.
Of course the Contact (rather than Buddy) also needs to have th Screen Sharing is System Preferences turned On.
In the Video Menu > Connection Doctor are you getting any info when it fails ?
10:25 pm Wednesday; December 31, 2014
 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 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

No Audio in iChat Screen Sharing?

I have two macs hooked up through iChat/iMessage screen sharing, and there is no audio on either side. Any help with this one?

Hi,
1) Can your Video to this person ?
This will "prove" you have enough Bandwidth (Internet Speed) and that the Audio works.
Screen Sharing and Video uses the same ports for the Audio part.
2) Is the System Preferences > Sound > Input choice and the iChat/Messages menu > Preferences > Video > Microphone Drop down showing the same Choice of possible input devices ?
3) In the Video menu of the App is Microphone/Audio Chat Enable ticked ? (wording changes from Snow Leopard to Messages versions)
Toggling this line will add and remove the tick and Turn Off or On the Mic.
9:07 PM Wednesday; March 13, 2013
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 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
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously
Message was Spelling edited by: Ralph Johns (UK) 9:08 PM

Screen sharing in Mountain Lion iMessage

Screen sharing doesn't seem to work in Mourntain Lion. Anyone know if there is a fix? Screen Sharing is enabled, but when trying to choose share screen it is all greyed out.

Hi,
It will work if the Messages App has either AIM (or AIM Valid) names or Jabber valid IDs listed as accounts.
(i.e the iChat side of things)
I have Screen Shared to Snow Leopard and Leopard computers.
My G4 tower will boot into an iChat 3 version.
This will only accept Video Chats if the iChat 3 end calls ( I have yet to try Screen Sharing with iChat 3).
I actually don't have a computer that I can booth into Lion whilst being in Mountain Lion.
Lets say you are using an iCloud issued @me.com name as the iMessages Apple ID
Go to the Message Preferences > Accounts and us e the + button
Click the AIM Choice.
Add the @Me.com name in full
Click Done.
You will now have an AIM Account in the Accounts list
In the window Menu it will now says Buddies (CMD + 1)
This will show you the Buddy List
Add AIM or AIM Valid Buddy names.
In the Video Menu Screen Sharing will now be an option you can tick (or Untick)
You could also Add GoogleTalk or other Jabber IDs to the Accounts list. (GoogleTalk is a Jabber server)
Screen Sharing is AIM to AIM or Jabber to Jabber.
10:26 PM Thursday; October 4, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 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
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Since me and my mother moved from iChat to iMessage bêta, screen sharing works only one way. I can share my screen with her but not the reverse. When actually what I would like to do is share her screen. Video works fine both ways.

Screensharing works only one way since we moved from iChat to iMessage bêta. Before that we have never had any problem with screen sharing. We haven't changed anything else, just installed iMessage. What I need to do is share her screen, and the only thing I can do is share my screen...
Thanks for your help.

HI,
On the whole I am finding it very stable. (it presents the same quirks in the same manner each time)
It has some things that are more Feature requests than "Bugs" per se about the way it works that I would like to change.
It can also be difficult to tell exactly what is going on whenyou are hearing about it third hand.
Sounds like you have a plan.
8:35 PM Tuesday; March 20, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.3)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

I downloaded the beta of iMessage, replacing iChat. Now screen sharing does not seem to be available (shaded out.) Anyone have a suggestion?

I downloaded the beta of iMessage, replacing iChat. Now screen sharing does not seem to be available (shaded out.) Anyone have a suggestion?

Hi,
I am presuming you are looking in the Video Menu but are finding you do not have "permission" to enable Screen Sharing.
In Messages Menu > Preferences > Video section what speed setting is set in the Bandwidth Limit drop down ?
It should be no lower that 200kbps if you want to Video chat or Screen Share (the Min for both is 128kbps)
Even if it shows a speeds higher than this change it to something like 500kbps then close/Quit Messages and then restart it. (i.e change the setting anyway to give a bot of a jolt)
10:18 PM Thursday; May 17, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.7.4),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Screen sharing and AIM account question

In the Apple docs it says:
"You can share screens using AIM (including me.com and Mac.com), Jabber, Google Talk, and Bonjour. You can’t share screens using iMessage or Yahoo!."
I know I can simply create a free AOL/AIM account for this. But how does one get a me.com or mac.com address? Are those old, no-longer-available services?
What do most people use for screen sharing. I've been using my AIM account, but was unable to get it to work yesterday with some people who created new AOL accounts for this purpose, even though I see them online. They don't get my requests, except for one person. And even if she accepts the request we don't get connected. And we can't video chat either.
Thanks,
Doug

This problem has been resolved here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/24442104#24442104

Is screen sharing through the Messages app encrypted?

The Messages app in Mavericks has the option to share your screen (Buddies > Share my screen...). Just learned about it today.
I've been wondering how secure it is to use over the internet.
Any thoughts as to if the screen sharing session is encrypted?
I'm using Mavericks, and haven't found anything that says if the sessions are encrypted or not.

Hi,
The Messages app can use different ID to use the different services.
It can use Apple IDs to use the iMessages service (Text Only) But you can invoke FaceTime from an existing conversation.
By default you also get the Bonjour Account.
If you have other Macs on your LAN (and they use iChat or Messages with Bonjour Enabled) you can Screen Share with them (in addition to Video Or Audio Only chats).
You can join the AIM service with some Apple IDs (ending in @me.com and @icloud.com in most cases and sometime @mac.com depending on your OS version) and of course with AIM or AOL registered Screen Names.
Mac to Mac (iChat or Messages) these can Screen Share over the internet.
Whilst the Login may be SSL (AIM almost insist on in nowadays) the Video chats, Audio Only chats and Screen Sharing are Peer-to Peer connections.
There are steps in the connection process to make sure you are not vulnerable to "Man-in-the-Middle" attacks.
They will only work AIM to AIM.
Jabber (Or XXMP) accounts can include GoogleTalk or Google Mail IDs in reality or Facebook chat IDs are valid Jabber IDs.
You can of course register for a Jabber ID on any other Jabber server you know about.
These will work Jabber to Jabber must be to a Mac using iChat or Messages and not other apps or web Browser logins (As you can do with both Facebook and Google).
The Yahoo account is text only.
8:55 pm Wednesday; July 16, 2014
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 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

Is screen sharing through Messages limited to third-party accounts in Yosemite like it is in Mavericks?

So I was told this by an Apple support member through the online chat, but everything else I've been reading seems contradictory. Every blog post I've read, and even Apple's own website makes it seems like you can screen share on Messages with any contact with an iMessage account (in Mavericks, it was limited to third-party accounts signed into Messages like Google, Jabber, AIM, etc...).
I was able to screen share through the iMessages account if the two computers were on the same network (both on wifi, or both tethered to the same phone), but not if they were on separate networks. Which seems almost next to useless. It'd be nice to just get a breakdown of what's possible with screen sharing through Messages.
So far it seems like:
1. Screen sharing is possible using a third-party account (as per in Mavericks).
2. Screen sharing is possible using an iMessages account only within the same network (added in Yosemite). <- if this is really all that was "added", they really should make that clear, rather than making it seem like iMessage accounts have the same utility as third-party ones.
Just want someone to confirm this. Thanks!

Hi,
Screen Sharing only works with an AIM Account (AOL) or a Jabber ID when the person at the other end is also using the same sort of Account and a Mac with iChat or Messages.
The Bonjour Account which is used for LAN based Mac to Mac Chats can also Screen Share.
The Yahoo account (if you have one) is Text only. It does not even do File Sharing. It does not do Video Chat, Audio Only ones or Screen Sharing.
The iMessages account does not do Video chats (or Audio Only)
What it does do is invoke the FaceTime App.
FaceTime does not Screen Share.
Links to the info you have read would be useful.
The Messages Help info.
Text (if the pic does not show)
Share your screen
You and a friend with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard or later can share a screen, making it easy to collaborate on a project.
When you share a screen, you and your friend can do anything on the shared desktop, such as opening folders, creating documents, and copying files by dragging them from one desktop to another. Messages automatically starts an audio chat.
You can share screens using AIM, Jabber, Google Talk, and Bonjour. You can’t share screens using Yahoo! or iMessage.
Important: When you share your screen, your friend has the same access to your computer that you have. Share your screen only with people you trust, and be careful if you receive a request to share your screen from someone who isn’t in your buddy list. If the request comes from someone using Bonjour, remember that the name shown for the person in Bonjour does not necessarily match the person’s real name.
See the Line above the one where the word "important" is in bold text.
OS X 10.5 is the one with iChat 4.x.x with it.
To be clear:-
iChat 1 was an AIM client but also had the Bonjour account under it's previous name of Rendezvous
iChat 3 added Jabber capabilities
iChat 6 added Yahoo ones. (extremely limited)
Messages brings the Name change and the focus on the iMessages account with the associated window changes.
This means Messages can join 5 "services"
Opening Messages asks you for an Apple ID to register with iMessages.
It also has the Bonjour account present but not turned On.
You can add anything you used in iChat
Some Apple Issued ID are valid AIM Screen Names
GoogleTalk and Facebook Chat IDs works as Jabber IDs
Apple IDs
These can be considered in some ways to be separated into different functions or layers.
The first difference is between external emails and Apple Issued ones that end in @mac.com, @me.com and @icloud.com (Some people are using a small number of pre Email linked Apple IDs - about 15 years or older accounts.)
The Apple Issued ones can be used as AIM Screen Names.
You can also distinguish between iCloud Linked ones and plain Apple IDs
As Apple changed from MobileMe to iCloud they used and linked @me.com IDs to iCloud as people registered for iCloud.
Later they issued iCloud ending emails (you may have both)
This leaves you with "All iCloud IDs are Apple IDs, but not all Apple IDs are iCloud ID ones".
The short answer is if an Account in Messages can Video within the app (not invoke another app) then it can Screen Share.
10:05 pm Friday; November 14, 2014
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 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

Mountain Lion: Messages/Screen Sharing

I am currently using OS Lion IChat as it allows me to do screensharing to help my technically-challenged mother. I understand that in Mountain Lion iChat has gone away, absorbed into Messages. Does Messages/iChat, whatever the new flavor, still support screensharing? I want to know this before upgrading to Mountain Lion. If not I am likely to stick with Lion.

HI,
Messages is basically iChat+ and will do everything that iChat does PLUS the iMessages bit to iOS devices (And other people using Apple IDs in Messages)
Menus such as the Video menu (for Screen Sharing) look very similar
It is fair to say that not everything is in the same place but it is not hard to adjust.
6:45 PM Friday; July 27, 2012
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Why is Messages screen sharing icon grayed out?

Trying to do remote screen sharing with my mom's Mac using the new feature in Yosemite.
If you're not familiar with it, the new method does not require AIM, Jabber, etc and is independent of screen sharing settings in System Preferences (per Messages Help).
The procedure is:
In the main Messages window, select the name of the person you want to share with or, if you haven't previously exchanged messages, do so now.
Click 'details' on the right of the top bar of the main window.
In the menu that pops up, there are three icons: screen sharing, video chat, and audio chat/phone call. Click the screen sharing icon and send a request.
Today, my mom signed into her Messages account and we successfully exchanged iMessage messages (not SMS).
When I clicked 'details' the screen sharing and phone call icons were grayed out (or, more accurately, 'blued out' - they were a fainter shade of blue).
I clicked another name in the Conversations list and then clicked back to my mom's name. When I clicked 'details' this time, the screen sharing icon was no longer grayed out, so I sent a request to share her screen. She didn't receive the request, so I canceled it.
When I clicked on 'Details' again, the screen sharing icon was grayed out again. As far as I know, nothing had changed on my mom's end.
What could cause the screen sharing icon to be grayed out? And what could cause it to toggle back and forth between grayed out and normal?
Both computers are running the latest version of Yosemite, 10.10.3. Mine is a 2009 Mac Pro 8-core with 16 GB RAM, hers is a MacBook Pro from around 2012 or 2013.
Thanks!
Bob

Hi,
(He did say that he'd heard that due to changes in Google's system that their accounts no longer work with Messages.)
What he has heard and what are true are two different things
Logged in Google account
There are issues with Messages using SSL to login to the Google Talk server and Google saying SSL is Less Secure (there is a setting to Enable Less Secure apps like Mail that also uses SSL and Messages).
Some people find that 2 step Verification cannot be set at Google's Account settings if your want to use the Less Secure Apps setting.
1. I deleted my AIM account from Messages and had my mom do the same. The result is that we each only have two items in the Accounts window of Messages: an iMessage account (signed in with our Apple IDs) and a Bonjour account.
2. Clicking on the Details menu, the screen sharing icon was available for both of us. It was not grayed out.
This is using two different Methods of Screen Sharing in Messages (It is silly it has two but there we go)
For AIM use the Buddy List and the icons at the bottom or highlight the Buddy and use the Buddies Menu
DO NOT USE the Details option.
For iMessages start text chat then use the Detail Option an NOT THE BUDDIES Menu.
For the iMessages Method you have to Enable System Preferences > Sharing > Screen Sharing to allow the App to be Invoked.
(It is like FaceTime is invoked but only works to Macs)
As you mention the Connection Doctor only refers to the older "iChat Method for Aim and Jabber and Bonjour - if you can Video you should be able to Screen Share with that method.
9:49 pm Wednesday; April 29, 2015
 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 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

Messages Screen Sharing

Messages won't allow me to share my screen or to request to share someone else's. I'm tyring to do it with my wife's computer running 10.8 on a separate network and the option is greyed out in the dropdown. I've ensured that Screen Sharing is enabled within messages and in the system preferences "sharing" pane.
We are both running 10.8 and using iMessage. We were both able to before the upgrade.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help.

Hi,
That one is so good it's wrong needs modifying.
You do not have to have System Preferences > Screen Sharing Enable at all.
That is for a totally different app that is in the OS and can be activated from the Finder.
In the Finder > Go Menu > Go to Server
Type in VNC:// and then IP of a LAN based computer (Such as any Bonjour computer)
This will then Invoke the Screen Sharing App and link your with a VNC connection and show your their Desktop (if they accept).
You can do it to a Public IP (The modem of a contact) but they need to Forward the Port the VNC connection is On to their Computer.
This Process does use the Apple Remote Desktop engine the same as iChat/Messages does.
However iChat/Messages makes the connection using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) which deals with the routing through the Modem and any router at the other end an adds a VNC connection Along side and Audio Only chat.
It should read like this:-
Additions in italics. Strike throughs for not needs action/text
• Go to your Apple Logo / System Preference / Sharing
• On the mac(s) that you would like to screen share , Turn on Screen Sharing. Allow Access / All Users Not needed
• Open iMessage app on your mac
• iChat Style Buddy Lists are not displayed in iMessage by default. You will notice that there is no Screen Sharing button on iMessage as it was on iChat. There is (a Button) on the Buddy lists.
• To activate it, go to the ‘Messages’ menu at the top menu bar and select Accounts and turn on ‘ Bonjour ‘
In fact Enable any Jabber or AIM valid Account It does not have to be just Bonjour
• Once you turn on Bonjour Any Enabled Account you will notice the Bonjour name shows up at the bottom left hand corner of the iMessage window.
• Now under the Window tab, click on "Buddies" or COMMAND + 1 ( number 1 )
• You will now see the an iChat Style Buddy list pop up but any Bonjour only list may be empty.
This List is a combined list at present.
Go to Mesages Menu > Preferences > General Section and untick the line about "gathering all accounts"
• If you have not added an AIM or Jabber based Account do this:-
Messages menu again and under Preferences, go into ACCOUNTs and click on the + at the bottom corner and add an AIM or Jabber account .
Note : you will need an AIM/Jabber/Google account ( just like you did on iChat before )
• Once you log in successfully, You’ll notice your list appears and you’ll see the familiar Screen Share button located at the bottom centre of the Buddy List window.
Now go to the Video Menu and Enable Screen Sharing at your end.
Text you Buddy that is using AIM Screen Names or a Jabber/Google/Facebook ID on iChat or Messages and get them to enable Screen Sharing as well.
To activate, simply click on it and it will send them a request.
Alternatively Highlight the Buddy and use the Buddies Menu
Alternatively to that Right click the Buddy and use the Contextual Menu.
NOTE:-
Screen Sharing like Audio Only chats and Video Chats is AIM to AIM (including Valid Apple ID options) or Jabber to Jabber (which includes GoogleTalk and Facebook IDs) using iChat or Messages on both computers.
11:25 PM Thursday; February 21, 2013
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 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
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Screen sharing icon in Messages dimmed out when it shouldn't be

Running OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 on 2009 27" iMac. I was attempting to share my screen with another person also running OS X Yosemite (also 10.10.2) via Messages and the screen sharing icon is dimmed out (while both FaceTime video and audio icons are NOT dimmed out). I went through creating and entering an app specific password for both Messages and FaceTime and my iCloud account is signed into both. Tried signing out and back in as well, but that did not resolve it. Tried rebooing as well, but the issue remains. The other person is able to screen share with other individuals running Yosemite so I assume it's something on my end, but I have no idea what.
Ideas?

Hi,
The App is Messages.
It can have an iMessages account is use.
This distinction is becoming more important as time goes on.
In Yosemite the Messages App can start a Video (or Audio and also Screen Sharing) two different ways. (it's related bear with me).
As the iChat app the AIM and Jabber accounts have been able to Video chat within the app since iChat 2 for AIM accounts and iChat 3 for Jabber when it was added. (Screen Sharing is added at iChat 4)
This needs the Video Menu > Enable the three items for Video, Audio and Screen Sharing.
In Yosemite the iMessages account can start a video from the Main window when a text Chat is going on using the Details option to right.
To start an AIM Video chat (same for Jabber and Bonjour) you need the Buddy list to be displayed, Highlight the Buddy and then use either the icon at the bottom of the Buddy List or the Buddies menu.
To Start an iMessages Video chat you need to first set up FaceTime with the same Apple ID account (it can be done with a different ID but this can cause confusing at the other end about who is calling).
Then you use the Details option having started a Text (iMessages) chat with them.
This in turn Invokes the FaceTime App and 'Calls' the ID your are iMessaging to. If you are using a different ID in FaceTime they see that and not the one in the iMessages account.
Screen Sharing
Screen Sharing is similar in that it (iMessages account) invokes an outside app to do the Screen Sharing.
You first need to go to System Preferences > Sharing and enable the Screen Sharing item.
Then in Messages in the Main window during a iMessages Chat/conversation with someone you need to use the Details option top right and select the Linked Squares for the Screen Sharing.
This invokes the Screen Sharing App (System/Library/Core Services/Applications) and connects the two computers with and Audio chat along side.
For the iChat type accounts (AIM, Jabber and Bonjour) you use the Buddy list like the Video chats.
NOTES.
If you have other Macs on your LAN and they appear in the Finder's Side bar as Shares you can select them and use the button in the Finder Window to Screen Share with those Macs.
This too invokes the Screen Sharing app.
Another way is to use the Go Menu in the Finder > Go to Server and enter VNC:// and the IP address instead of AFP or SMB (Or Browse instead)
In the System Preferences > Sharing you will also find Remote Management.
This cannot be on the same time as Screen Sharing. However in use from the Finder it allows the Screen Sharing described above.
All of these use the Client end of Apple Remote Desktop (ARD).
However the Finder methods described do not come wither Audio Chat described for the iMessages or AIM/Jabber/Bonjour way.
Also if you try to use the Details method with an AIM or Jabber of Bonjour Buddy it will not work as it tries to do this the iMessages way.
Basically "icons" and "Messages" is not enough to say where you are in the app to pin point this further.
9:49 pm Saturday; March 7, 2015
 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 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

Yosemite Messages Screen Sharing Router Type: Port Restricted

I want to do Screen Sharing via Messages as newly enabled in Yosemite (through Messages...not the Buddy List). Unfortunately, it fails. I run Connection Doctor under Video in Messages and see that I have an issue with the message "Router Type: Port Restricted". I would like to see "Full Cone".
What do I need to do?
I am on AT&T U-Verse running a Motorola NVG589 modem. I have the wireless disabled on the NVG589. The NVG589 is connected via ethernet to my Apple Airport Time Capsule (the tower model that is 802.11ac). The Airport Time Capsule is set up in Bridge Mode - so as not to create Double NAT but to offer 802.11ac wifi speeds and to provide Time Machine backups.
I have connected directly to the NVG589 modem and gotten the same "Router Type: Port Restricted" message. I assume I must open a port/ports on the NVG589. If so...what are those ports?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,
The Messages app in all versions up to Mavericks only Screen Shares with AIM to AIM and Jabber to Jabber contacts as well as Bonjour connections on your LAN.
It is based on those accounts that do Video and Audio Chats within the app.
The iMessages invokes FaceTime to do Video and will not do Screen Sharing.
However as you say there is this info:-
Share a conversation —
and your screen.
Now you can share your screen with the person you’re chatting with. Then you can go from iMessage conversation to screen sharing with just a click. You can easily do things like collaborate on a presentation with a colleague, browse the web with a friend, or select airplane seats with your spouse. And Messages automatically initiates an audio chat when you start a screen sharing session, so you can talk things through while you’re at it.
On checking the icon to Screen Share does appear in iMessages conversation Details option
Notice the slightly diminished ("greyed out") quality to the Screen Sharing icon.
It appears it only works to other Macs.
The Buddies menu also has the option greyed out.
Routers
My Network Status looks like this.
The Bandwidth Limit is set in Messages > Preferences > Video/Audio pane > Bandwidth Limit.
Setting it to 500kbps is over what it needs to do 4 Way Video chat as Host.
When it is a really fast connection to a much slower Buddy it can help and also with higher speeds come higher variances which and cause havoc.
There are four main type of Router type as this refers to them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation#Methods_of_port_transla tion
Port Restricted is just as effective as Full Cone.
I have had it show up this way on a Thompson-Alcatel 510v4 when I was first On line in iChat 2 and Netgear device I forget the number of, a Sagem Fast2504 from Sky my current internet provider when I had DLS and the current Fibre Hub that they supply.
I have UPnP set as the method to open the ports needed.
This allows the computer (apps) to tell the router which ports to open.
They will also close after periods on Non use.
Router that do UPnP advertise the fact.
You can reduce the number of devices that happens through (Hops). The default setting is normally 4. Router to computer counts as 1 Ethernet hubs don't count. But large LANs with more routers (Subnets to LANs) will count as more Hops.
Ports.
Most devices have the first 1024 port open (there are 65355 in total).
These lower numbered port handle things like Web Browsing on port 80.
FTP on port 21 and 22
Some Outgoing Mail servers on port 25
Secure web connection on port 443
and so on.
Messages and FaceTime Video chats use ports above this.
These are the one you tend to have to allow.
Video uses 5678 to send invites then moves to port 16402 (or one from a group of 10 ports below this)
10:02 PM Saturday; November 22, 2014
 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 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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