How To Use the Screen Sharing Features in Lion
The Screen Sharing application has been around in OS X since the days of Leopard (oh so long ago!), but Apple has added some nifty features to the application and underlying support in Lion. From a new tool bar, to a new per-user screen sharing feature, Lion has you covered when doing screen sharing on your local network between two or more Macs.
New Toolbar
The new toolbar in the Screen Sharing application gives you quick access to things like Control/Observe Mode, fit screen in window, screenshot, and clipboard get/send buttons.
If you don’t see all of these buttons, you can right-click on the toolbar and select Customize Toolbar. From here, drag the default set of buttons into the toolbar and click the Done button.
Per-user Screen Sharing
If you have a Mac with multiple user accounts, screen sharing just got a lot easier thanks to per-user screen sharing. No longer does a user have to log out of their account in order for you to screen share another account. Simply log in with your account credentials when selecting Share Screen in Finder, and you’ll be taken directly to your user account.
Observe-only Mode
While screen sharing, you can now switch to Observe-only mode by clicking the button on the toolbar or by going to View > Switch to Observe Mode. While in this mode, your cursor will change to white instead of black and you will not be able to control the remove machine.
Full Screen Mode
The Screen Sharing application also supports Lion’s Full Screen mode, allowing you to go full screen by controlling another machine.
Follow this article’s author, Cory Bohon on Twitter.
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jmpiazza
August 12, 2011 at 1:28pm
... Screen Sharing application also supports Lion’s Full Screen mode...
Yes, it does. But how do you get back to window mode? After a brief moment of panic and desperate key sequences (the combination Command "A-R-G-H-!" did not work), I...
Uh... never mind. Found it. :-] (Mouse to the top of the screen and wait for Lion to show your local Mac's menu bar).
DJR12
August 02, 2011 at 5:40pm
The easier way to share a screen is to locate the machine in your Finder sidebar and click on "share screen." Or use Screen Sharing Menulet. :)
rickpdx
July 27, 2011 at 11:14pm
This is a great article, but it presumes the user knows where to find and how to start Screen Sharing. I've done a Spotlight search and looked all through my Finder window and menu, and can't see any option or app for screen sharing anywhere. How do I get to it?
I want to connect to my work Mac that also shares my MobileMe account. But I don't see it listed in the Shared finder sidebar.
Any ideas?
peterno3
July 31, 2011 at 3:12pm
I was in the same boat, but finally found an article that mentioned it. Its located in:
System -> Library -> Core Services
Not a very convenient location, especially because spotlight doesnt appear to search there. Oh well
timhood
May 10, 2012 at 2:58pm
From the Finder, choose Go->Connect to Server... (shortcut: Command-K). In the server name box, type:
vnc://servername
Examples
A Mac on the local network named MyMac:
vnc://MyMac.local
A remote Mac, connecting over the internet using a domain name:
vnc://mac.mydomain.com
Using a service like Dynamic DNS (dyndns.com), you can signup and give your Mac a hostname even when your IP address changes.
Last option, using the IP address of the Mac
vnc://123.111.222.111
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