Apple’s line of Mac computers and laptops are one of the most trusted and easy-to-use devices when connecting to the Internet and doing various tasks. One feature that students and professionals may use is screen sharing. However, some users have encountered your screen is being observed error while using their Mac devices.
While this may sound alarming for newbies, it may just be a simple notification set by Apple to make users aware. This guide will show you what does “your screen is being observed” mean on Mac and what you can do to fix it.
Read on to know more.
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Why Does My Mac Say “Your Screen is Being Observed”?
Various factors may cause “Your screen is being observed” to appear on your Mac computer. However, it’s essential to know that this error will, most of the time, be harmless and isn’t a sign that your computer is being hacked. Here are the most common reasons why your Mac displays this error message:
- You left the Screen Sharing feature on your Mac enabled.
- You’re sharing your Mac’s screen via AirPlay.
- A third-party screen recorder is recording your screen.
How to Fix “Your Screen is Being Observed” Error on Mac
Below are some fixes that you can try to fix the “Your screen is being observed” error message on Mac. Remember to review each fix and check which one you think is the most effective for your computer:
Fix #1: Disable the Screen Sharing Service on Your Mac
The most common fix to this error message is turning the Screen Sharing service off. It quickly disables the feature from various apps on your Mac until you need to enable it again.
To disable screen sharing on Mac via System Preferences, follow the steps below:
- Navigate to System Preferences or Settings on your Mac and select Sharing.
Note: Alternatively, you can launch Spotlight Search (Command + Space Bar) and type in Sharing. Select the Sharing setting from the search results.
- Find the Screen Sharing service and ensure that it’s disabled.
- Close the window and check if the error message disappears.
Fix #2: Revoke Permissions From Third-Party Screen Sharing Apps
Another way to fix the “Your screen is being observed” problem on Mac is by disabling permissions from installed third-party screen-sharing applications. This can sometimes happen when you’ve recently used a screen-sharing app on your computer.
To disable permissions from third-party screen-sharing apps on your Mac, proceed to these steps:
- Open the System Preferences (or Settings) app on your Mac and select Security & Privacy.
- Go to the Privacy tab and find the Screen Sharing option from the left pane. You can now see the list of apps that can access your computer’s screen-sharing feature.
- To disable each app, click the Lock button in the bottom-left corner. You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password in this step.
- Next, uncheck all apps on the list and click the Lock icon to confirm all changes.
- Reboot your Mac and check if the issue is solved.
Fix #3: Turn Off AirPlay on Your Mac
If you’ve recently mirrored your Mac’s display via AirPlay, chances are you’ve forgotten to turn it off. Fortunately, you can fix this by turning off AirPlay on your Mac to stop mirroring your screen from another AirPlay-compatible device.
To turn off AirPlay on Mac, follow these steps:
- Go to System Preferences and choose Displays.
- Set the AirPlay Display option to Off.
To quickly turn off AirPlay via the menu bar, select the Control Center icon and set the AirPlay switch to Off.
Final Thoughts
When using your Mac for work or school, you may sometimes need to share your screen with others in a presentation. However, it’s possible to see the “Your screen is being observed” message after using the feature or any third-party screen-sharing app on your Mac.
Hopefully, this guide helps you to fix the “Your screen is being observed” Mac message. If these fixes were ineffective, try contacting Apple Support for further help.