Screens Connect requires that your router support NAT-PMP (Network Address Translation - Port Mapping Protocol) or UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), and that the service is enabled and active.
If your router doesn't support this service, you can configure Screens Connect to work manually provided you are able to create a port mapping rule on your router:
Apple AirPort Products
These Airport models work with Screens Connect:
- AirPort Express (all models)
- AirPort Extreme Base Station (all models)
- Time Capsule (all models)
These Airport models do not work with Screens Connect because their firmware doesn't support the minimum functional requirements:
- AirPort Base Station (Graphite)
- AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet)
Other Routers
If you use a router not manufactured by Apple, verify that it supports NAT-PMP (NAT Port Mapping Protocol) or UPnP IGDv1 (Universal Plug and Play Internet Gateway Device). Also, install the latest firmware available for your model. Check the manufacturer's website for instructions and more information.
Considerations
- Some routers (including integrated "all-in-one" models which also include a DSL or cable modem) may support NAT-PMP or UPnP technology, but it might be disabled by default. In addition, these routers may have only a single setting to enable or disable UPnP, which may control UPnP IGDv1 and other UPnP protocols. If you aren't sure if your third-party router device supports NAT-PMP or UPnP, you can review the product documentation supplied with the router or contact the manufacturer.
- If NAT-PMP or UPnP technology has been enabled on your router device and you can reach iCloud services, yet are unable to use Screens Connect, check to see if a firmware update is available for your router.
Some routers officially supported by Screens Connect
This is a partial list of routers known by Edovia to be compatible with Screens Connect:
- Apple routers (see above)
- Eero
- Google Wifi
We will add more supported routers in the future. Most routers available on the market today should work just fine with Screens Connect.
Routers Requiring Special Configuration
Some routers will require special configuration in order to make them work with Screens Connect. We will add instructions for more routers in the future. If you have some instructions to share for a particular router, please contact us.
ActionTec model MI424-WR
- Log in to your ActionTec router's administrative interface.
- Click the Advanced icon in the upper icon bar.
- If prompted to proceed, click Yes.
- Select Universal Plug and Play.
- In the WAN Connection Publication drop-down, choose Publish All WAN Connections.
Tomato Firmware
Tomato firmware cannot forward public ports to private reserved ports (that is, port numbers 1024 and lower), which effectively blocks ports 22, 80, 443 and other frequently used ports. In our case, Screen Sharing (VNC) uses private port 5900 and Remote Login (SSH) uses port 22. If you've enabled SSH in Screens Connect and your router uses Tomato firmware, you may see a “Port mapping not available” message. There are two solutions:
- Manually change the SSH private port number to a value higher than 1024 (ex: 2222)
- Disable SSH in the Screens Connect settings to avoid using SSH altogether
2Wire Modem
Unfortunately, this modem does not support UPnP or NAT-PMP. You have 3 options:
- Add a UPnP- or NAT-PMP-capable router between your 2Wire modem and the computer you wish to connect to.
- Manually configure Screens Connect for Mac.
- Use an alternative method to make the computer available outside the local network.
Motorola SBG6580
This router, usually supplied by ISPs as a router/modem combo, doesn't seem to work well with Screens. Our recommendation is to put it in Bridge Mode and use a different router. Note that this is fairly complex and we can't provide additional support beyond this.
- Log in to the administrative interface: http://192.168.0.1 The default username "admin" and the default password is "motorola".
- Click Wireless, then Primary Network, and click Disable.
- Click Advanced, then NAPT Mode, and click Disable.
- Click Basic, then DHCP, and click Disable.
According to some users, this may be enough, but if that doesn't work, follow these extra steps:
- Click Advanced, then Rg Passthrough, and click Enable.
- Add the router's WAN MAC address to the Passthrough list.
- Click Basic, then WAN IP, then Static IP. Make up some arbitrary IP data like 192.168.99.1 / 255.255.255.0 / 192.168.99.250 / DNS: 8.8.8.8. This prevents the modem from asking for an IP address, allowing your computer/router to request one instead.
- Connect port 1 on the modem to the WAN port on your new router and power-cycle the device.
- You may then need to "renew lease" in your router's admin/DHCP interface.
Thomson T6585v7, TG585v7
These devices are not compatible with Screens Connect, so you will have to configure your network manually. Instructions can be found here.
AT&T U-Verse
If you have another router behind your U-Verse device that supports UPnP, you can put this router behind the AT&T-supplied gateway, and configure your router to become the "DMZPlus" device.
Hiltron Technologies
Routers from Hiltron do not seem to support UPnP so you will need to configure Screens Connect manually and open a port on your router. You can find the procedure for this router on shaw.ca or portforward.com.
Additional Information
If you can connect to other computers but they can't connect to yours:
- Make sure that you're not using a double NAT network configuration (where more than one router is providing Network Address Translation between your Mac and the Internet). While this may not affect the ability of your computer to contact others via Screens Connect, it may prevent other computers from discovering or connecting to your computer.
- Some firewalls, such as at a large organization, may not allow some Screens Connect connections. For example, you might not be able to contact your Mac at work from home, but you might be able to contact your Mac at home from work. Check with your organization's network administrator to see if the Screens Connect service can access your computer(s) through the firewall.
Disclaimer
Due to the wide range of devices that may vary widely in their capabilities, the many different ways manufacturers implement and may change implementations of their devices, and the complexity and uniqueness of any given networking environment, you should use this information only as a general guide. The accuracy of this information is not guaranteed by Edovia, and users of this information must assume responsibility for purchase decisions.