Remotely Restore Access to Your Mac Using Your Router's Companion App

If automatic port mapping suddenly stops working while you're away from home, you may still be able to restore remote access to your Mac using your router's companion app.

Many modern routers allow you to remotely manage settings from anywhere. While the exact steps vary by manufacturer, they're generally similar.

While this article uses eero as an example, these instructions should be generally the same regardless of your router's brand and model.

This is a temporary workaround. Once the issue has been resolved, you can remove the manual port forwarding rule and let Screens Connect manage port mappings automatically again.

Before You Begin

This article assumes:

• Your Mac is turned on.
• Remote Management or Screen Sharing is enabled on your Mac.
• You have remote access to your router through its companion app.

Step 1: Verify UPnP Is Enabled

Before creating a manual port forwarding rule, make sure UPnP is enabled.

In the eero app:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network Settings.
3. Tap UPnP.
4. Ensure it is enabled.

If UPnP is already enabled:

1. Turn it off.
2. Wait about 30 seconds.
3. Turn it back on.
4. Restart your router if the app provides that option.

If a firmware update is available for your router, install it before continuing.

Step 2: Create a Manual Port Forwarding Rule

If automatic port mapping still isn't working, create a manual port forwarding rule.

In the eero app:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Advanced.
3. Tap Reservations & Port Forwarding.
4. Tap Add a Reservation.
5. Select your Mac.
6. Tap Open a Port.
7. Configure the rule as follows:
   • Name: Screens
   • Port: 5900
   • Protocol: TCP & UDP
8. Save the changes.

Your Mac should now be reachable from the Internet.

Step 3: Create a Custom Connection in Screens

Since Screens Connect is temporarily unable to create the port mapping automatically, connect directly to your Mac instead.

1. In Screens, open Custom Connections.
2. Create a new connection.
3. Enter:
   • Address: Your home's public IP address.
   • Port: 5900.
4. Enter your Mac user credentials when prompted.

You should now be able to connect to your Mac remotely.

You should be able to find the public IP address from the router's companion app.

When You're Back Home

Once you're back home—or once the router issue has been resolved—you can:

1. Delete the manual port forwarding rule.
2. Re-enable automatic port mapping if necessary.
3. Continue using Screens Connect as usual.

Other Routers

Many other routers offer similar companion apps that allow remote management, including those from ASUS, TP-Link, Google Nest, and others.

Although the menus may differ, most provide similar options for:

• Enabling UPnP.
• Restarting the router.
• Creating manual port forwarding rules.

Refer to your router manufacturer's documentation if the menus differ from the eero example shown above.