Screen Sharing box stays checked - Catalina 10.15.6

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Level 1

4 points

Screen Sharing box stays checked - Catalina 10.15.6

I can turn off all the sharing services (Systems Preferences>Sharing) EXCEPT Screen Sharing. I click on the box, but the box stays checked. How do I turn it off?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 24, 2022 12:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

RSpeilman Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2022 2:44 PM in response to Jmanna13

Allowed to deselect Screen Sharing while in Safe Mode.

But when I open Systems Prefs and then enter Time Machine, System Prefs disappears from screen and is no longer visible in Applications folder. Can't seem to navigate to Systems Prefs while in Time Machine.

I'm in Safe Mode now. I'm wondering if Screen Sharing will remain unchecked when I restart in Normal mode.

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Answer 2

justin_900

Community Specialist

Apr 25, 2022 10:12 AM in response to RSpeilman

Hello RSpeilman,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities!

This Apple Support page has the full details to Turn Mac screen sharing on or off - Apple Support

If the feature still won't turn off, does a normal restart of your Mac have any impact on the issue?

Do you have any other screen sharing or security software installed?

Are you an Admin user on the Mac?

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

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Answer 3

Apr 25, 2022 12:16 PM in response to RSpeilman

Hi RSpeilman,

You're correct, options in third-party apps are different.

Is this a personal Mac or one issued by your employer or school?

It's possible you have MDM (Mobile Device Management) enabled and are unable to make changes. You can read about MDM here: Intro to mobile device management and here: Use MDM to enable Remote Management in macOS

If this is a personal device, confirm if you are using the admin account and allowed to make changes. You can also test in a new user account.

Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

Keep us posted on the details for what you find, or the results from testing if your account level allows.

Best.

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Answer 4

Jmanna13

Community Specialist

Apr 25, 2022 1:55 PM in response to RSpeilman

Thanks for letting us know, RSpeilman. You definitely ask some great questions, and as you would be able to use Time Machine to check the settings from when that was created, let's try in safe mode as well: Start up your Mac in safe mode

If you still notice this happening, please Contact Apple Support.

Regards.

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Answer 5

RSpeilman Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2022 12:03 PM in response to justin_900

Restart didn't help.

All the sharing boxes are unchecked, so some of the suggestions on the Support page don't apply.

I've never installed any other screen sharing or security software that I'm aware of.

A few conference apps have a screen sharing option, like zoom, but that's different, right?

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Answer 6

RSpeilman Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 25, 2022 1:44 PM in response to OrigamiFan1

Yes, my personal device. Confirmed admin account. Created new user account with admin permission granted, same problem with screen sharing. Checked by default, can't be unchecked.

Can I use Time Machine to see what system prefs were in place like a week or a day ago?

I downloaded some Microsoft365 apps for Mac from legit Microsoft site yesterday, and also subscribed to a new calendar in iCal which I don't seem to be able to remove. (Unsubscribing doesn't work. It doesn't show up on my Calendar menu but the events are still visible. Trying to delete events brings up "You can't change items in calendars you subscribe to.")

Maybe one of these caused the problem?

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Answer 7

RSpeilman Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 26, 2022 12:54 PM in response to RSpeilman

Screen Sharing remained unchecked after unchecking in Safe Mode and restarting in Normal Mode. I was able to check/uncheck as usual.

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Screen Sharing box stays checked - Catalina 10.15.6

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