macOS guards screen recording and input control tightly. You must grant each permission after installing, otherwise you connect and still get a black screen or dead input.
Installation steps
Download the Mac installer, open it and drag the app into Applications, then follow the permission wizard on first launch. Apple silicon Macs get the matching build automatically.
- Download the dmg and drag it into Applications
- Follow the permission wizard on first launch
- Separate builds for Intel and Apple silicon
- Allow background activity in system settings
Permissions you must grant
At minimum, screen recording and accessibility. Keyboard control may also need input permissions. Restart the client after changing permissions so they take effect.
- Screen recording: otherwise no picture
- Accessibility: otherwise no mouse or keyboard control
- Full disk access: needed for file transfer (optional)
- Restart the client after granting
Common issues
If a permission toggle is greyed out, remove the entry in system settings and add it again. macOS upgrades sometimes reset permissions, so re-check after updating.
- Remove and re-add a stuck permission entry
- Re-check permissions after a system upgrade
- Launch the app from the Applications folder
- Disable automatic sleep to stay online
FAQ
Why is the screen black although I am connected?
Usually screen recording permission is missing or the client was not restarted after granting it. A locked screen looks the same — unlock the Mac and the picture appears.
Are multiple Mac desktops supported?
You can switch between Spaces, though macOS limits some cross-desktop drag behaviour compared with Windows.