Screens VNC - Remote Access To Your Computer App Reviews

Like Rreini reported, the new version for Yosemite makes itself the default VNC client, and the toggle for that in the Preferences doesn’t work. Deleting the Screens application caused the Share Screen button in Finder to disappear, but toggling Screen Sharing off and then back on in System Preferences fixed that.

When I first installed Version 3.5 of Screens VNC, it would make itself the default VNC client on my system. I was able to work with the company to get that issue corrected, and now that it has been, I have no problems with the app. It’s very good at what it does. Kudos to Edovia for responding so quickly to resolving my difficulties.

As others have reported, the new version for Yosemite makes itself the default VNC client, and the toggle for that in the Preferences doesn’t work. Deleting the Screens application caused the Share Screen button in Finder to disappear. UPDATE: Edovia got a hold of me with a fix. Thanks!

This product and the client software combined cost me $50 and I still cannot connect to any mac at work or at home. The so called automatic port configuration did not work. If it had, I might have not been upset. Sadly, I have to change router settings, which is a securty risk in order to get this to work. I’m not sure if this can even support more than one computer behind a firewall. Big disappointment for me. There are cheaper VNC solutions out there.

I bought this product because Yosemite broke Apple’s screen and file sharing when I upgraded from Mavericks. Screens changed the subnet address of the machine I installed it on without warning me. The system now can’t be found by any of my other machines that use its attached drive array for backup, even when I enter the new IP address Screens installed. So Screens killed my automated backup. Nothing in the company’s documentation tells me how to reverse what Screens did and restore my systems old IP address. I’m going to have to restore from my most recent backup just to get rid of this product and restore my LAN backup functionality. A product that alters core system functionality should always ship with detailed directions for reversing changes. An “Undo” functionality is sorely needed in Screens.

I’ve heard great things about screens for awhile now, but I finally pulled the trigger on it two weeks ago. So far, so great. Apple has all but abandoned Apple Remote Desktop it seems, and I needed something for both MacOS and iOS. Screens was it. My one feature request that I miss from ARD: Multi-observe. I used to be able to observe 20 machines in a 9-up view on ARD, and I no longer have that feature. When you’re trying to monitor a bunch of systems at once, you have to hit them one at a time in Screens. This could be somewhat alleviated if I could set the app to grab a screenshot every X seconds/minutes to update my preview image, but a true multi-observe would be best. Keep up the good work guys. Money well spent.

I love Screens. I use it locally and remotely (over VPN or SSH tunnel). It never lets me down and does exactly what it says on the tin.

Ever since LogMeIn went premium only I’ve been looking for a suitable replacement. TeamViewer came highly recommended but I have found it to be very buggy and due to their business model not likely to offer satisfactory support. iTeleport also had some good reviews at the time I picked it up but that didn’t even work as well as TeamViewer. So I finally decided to take the chace on Screens and I cannot believe how well this app works. The setup is a little more complicated that I expected and the instructions require a more careful reading than I wanted but I was able to eventually get it working. For anyone searching for a remote access setup I would encourage you to look no further than Screens and be glad you did. Despite the reliability of the conenction I’m still disappointed thata bug I reported to support still remains unresolved despite support telling me it was a known issue: if you connect to a computer and tell it to save the user name and password in the keychain it will not be saved once the program is exited.

I already paid for the program, but not sure when I will end up using it. I was hoping to use this for remote access and also help my father with some issues on his Mac. The setup is complicated enough that I have abandoned that idea. It seems like you need multiple programs, not just Screens. Seem to need Screens Connect, a Screens login, and Screens Express. I should have just stuck with Skype screen sharing.

Saw some bad reviews here, so I did what you should always do if you can: I installed the trial version from their website. I then verified that it works as expected. It does. Remoting in to a machine is hard, especially if you are not a networking expert. These guys have made it easy with a simple Screensconnect app that you install on the remote machine. Just fill in a few fields, check some checkboxes, click save and you are done. Now I just double click on the icon for my parent’s computer and my role as family tech support can start. If you are trying this out, verify that it all works by trying it at home, reboot the remote machine to ensure the app is allowing you to login, then visit your favorite local cafe (somewhere nearby but with wifi) to ensure that you can connect from anywhere and not just on your local network. Then only after you have done that, go on your trip. This description makes it sound harder than it is. All those steps were verification. Fixing it now is easier than later when I am in Boston and my parents machine I am supporting is in Seattle. I am very happy with this solution. I would be even happier if I hadn’t also tried iTeleport and setup configurations with TeamViewer and other tools before finding Screens.

Dispite regular updates and promises of stability I have never used an app that crashes so often on any platform, Mac and iOS. Plain dosen’t work outside your local network either with windows PC dispite proper router access. I submit crash reports constently through the app and never recieve any feedback or fixes. I believe they know this version is unfixable and have already started work on version 4 which, i am sure, will be a paid upgrade and probably just as bad in the long run. Find a diffrent solution.

This app is too buggy to use.

Just installed 3.6.2. The previous 3.6 releases had a few bugs for me, but this release seems to address them. Great support from Edovia when I was troubleshooting the bugs. I also own the IOS app and the two make for a nice combination.

This app is very useful in our family business. I use it to log on to various machines, both Mac and Windows. But it’s quite annoying when it keeps crashing. Maybe it has a few more bugs that need to be updated.

Ive been having trouble forever with this application. I have Screens Connect on a MacBook Pro and iMac, both running latest version of Yosemite. My iPad and iPhone have the Screens app (so do my MacBook Pro and iMac), and they are able to connect while I’m off my LAN (remote) maybe 1 in 10 times. I always get Connection Error: The operation couldnt be completed. Connection Refused (Error: 14). Cannot rely on this app. I’ve tested and confirmed my settings on my devices (Mac’s, iOS devices, and AirPort Extreme) numerous times. Developer won’t help and it’s too late to get a refund. Poor service all around.

It works well for me now. I would like to see some more ability to organize all my connections. Folders, categories, descriptions in the connections and ability to do a list view with mini snap shot icons that shows the description.. Knocked off 1 start; The copy / paste needs a LOT of work. Thats the only major bug I’ve seen that frustrates me. I honestly think Copy/Paste into/outof sessions needs a complete rework. It rarely works and if it does; at times it only copies part of the data.

3.6.6 Update: Now that I have ssh-tunneling working, I can usually connect with no problems. I’m using duckdns on my tomato-based router to manage my IP changes. There’s still some odd behavior, but I’ve gotten use to the bugs at this point. As long as you’re a networking expert or really enjoy learning about technical details, screens is okay. If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box functional application, continue to look elsewhere. 3.6.1 Update: Wasted 2 hours today trying to configure ssh tunneling. Turns out, there’s a bug (shocker, I know!) that prevents you from changing password / private key. You have to re-create the connection. Do **NOT** select “save to keychain” otherwise, you’ll have to re-create the connection each time you want to connect. Everytime I try to look past one thing, 3 more bugs come out. Previous Review: Screens is VNC with a seemingly nice UI. Well, except for all of the typos throughout. Remote logins don’t really work unless you make use of the “Screensconnect” utility. Which is an absolute joke. You have to remember to re-login each time your Mac reboots. So, there goes remote logins while I am on this trip. Also there are pointless checkboxes in the UI. Like “Remember credentials in my Keychain.” No idea why that is there. Doesn’t do anything. I have to retype my username/password everytime. Out of the box buttons in the toolbar sometimes do nothing. Want to switch between Desktop 1 and 2? Well, hopefully they’ll work *this* time… There’s a thing called “More right a space” in the menus, no idea what that does. Changing desktop spaces on the remote machine doesn’t always work. I contacted support through twitter, zero response. I’d highly recommend checking out virtually any another VNC/remote option.

Screens works perfectly for Macs, but it just isn’t the right option for work. I need to connect remotely to work machines (Linux) and Screens does not support 3rd or middle-button click on the mouse. Now, anyone working with Linux on a regular basis would agree that 3 button mouse click support is invaluable on Linux (paste highlighted text) and significantly improves productivity. I have to resort to using RealVNC for work, which does not have handy features such as saving all connections with easy to remember names, etc. I want to use Screen for home as well as work and will request the developers to add 3 button mouse support as soon as possible. I had written an email to the developers, but didnt’ get a response. Hopefully, someone is reading this review.

Recent updates have fixed problems connecting over SSH and TLS, connecting to Windows machines, and with shared clipboard. Is now the most stable and consistent VNC client Ive ever used.

Screens is an absolute life-safer during those times when I must connect to my other machine. Sometimes it’s from the office to my home machine to capture that one document or to run a particular app or script on a file. And other times I use it from my home machine to run a virtual window on my office machine sitting next to me by tucking up a MBP window on my 27″ iMac. Seamless and secure. Smooth and agile. And nothing I have to do special. All done for me by the fine folks at Endovia.