Connecting to your Mac via VNC (Screen Sharing)
Quickstart for Screen Sharing on macOS, and what to use from Windows or Linux.
From macOS
macOS has a built-in VNC client called Screen Sharing. No extra software.
Via Finder
Open Finder and press ⌘K (or Go → Connect to Server). Enter:
vnc://your.server.ip
Click Connect and log in with an admin account on the Mac.
Tip — keep Screen Sharing in the Dock
If you connect often, launch Screen Sharing directly:
/System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Screen Sharing.app
Right-click the icon in the Dock → Options → Keep in Dock. From Terminal:
open vnc://username@your.server.ip
From Windows
macOS Screen Sharing runs encrypted only when both ends are Macs. Standard Windows VNC clients (RealVNC, TightVNC) connect, but the session falls back to unencrypted VNC and rendering is noticeably slower at high resolutions.
It works for occasional admin tasks. If you live on Windows, use one of the alternatives below.
Better alternatives for daily use
- NoMachine — fast, sharp image, free for personal use.
- AnyDesk — lightweight, decent on slow links.
- Parsec — built for low latency, great for creative apps and CI dashboards.
- Jump Desktop — paid, polished, supports encrypted RDP-style sessions.
For maximum security, regardless of client, tunnel VNC through SSH and close port 5900 publicly.