Especially when trying to explain something new or complex to someone, you often get to a point where the wordy explanation seems to be too little to clear the cloud. More so when the person sitting on the other side of the conversation is far away – whether during an online interaction, collaboration, or presentation. To ward off this confusion, a plethora of remote-control tools exist so that you can take control of a targeted device at your own pace and guide a person through or troubleshoot a problem.
Thanks to the introduction of a native remote control feature, you can now remotely control another iPhone, iPad, and Mac using FaceTime. Follow along to figure out how this all-new add-on works and what you need to get started with it.
How to Remotely Control Another iPhone, iPad, or Mac Using FaceTime and Fix the Issues
For crystal clear understanding, let’s first sort out all the doubts that could be lingering in your mind. Once that’s done, we’ll learn how to use this feature and also troubleshoot the issues that could be coming in the way.
1. How does FaceTime Remote Control work on iPhone, iPad, and Mac?
Integrated with FaceTime, the “Remote Control” lets you allow someone to access your iDevice – as if the device is placed right in their hands. Once the access is granted, they can…
- Launch apps
- Close apps running in the background
- Change settings
- Delete files
- Send messages
Bear in mind that the Face ID and Touch ID are disabled during a remote control to ensure someone can dive into the locked apps without any hindrance.
Considering the deep access that the remote control feature provides, make sure to approve the remote control requests from only the person you trust. Otherwise, it can lead to catastrophe (and even worse).
2. Are There Any Restrictions for Added Security?
To safeguard the security of your sensitive information, FaceTime Remote Control prevents the person remotely controlling the screen from –
- Changing your Apple Account
- Erasing your device
- Changing Face ID settings
- Making payments
3. Can You Use Your iDevice While Someone is Remotely Controlling It?
Yes, you can continue to use your iDevice while the FaceTime remote control feature is active.
- For example, you will still be able to tap, swipe, or type while someone is controlling your device.
- Moreover, it gives more priority to your actions over remote actions to ensure you can take the needed measures.
4. Ensure That the FaceTime Remote Control is Available in Your Country or Region
Bear in mind that the “Remote Control” feature is not available everywhere. As the feature is still a pretty new add-on, it’s going to take a while to get rolled out everywhere.
5. Make Sure That the Person Whom You Want to Permit to Control your iDevice is in Your Contacts List
If the person who is requesting remote access to your iDevice is not in your contacts list, the remote control feature won’t work. So, be sure to first save their contact in your address book.
6. Ensure That All Devices are Running the Compatible Version of the Software
- Talking about software compatibility, make sure both devices are equipped with iOS 18/iPadOS 18 or later. As for Macs, they must have macOS 14 Sonoma and later. Yeah, you read that right! Even the device of your friend needs to be running the supported version of the software.
7. Tips to Enable and Use Remote Control in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18
- To get started, launch the FaceTime app and initiate a call.
- After that, tap on the “Share Content” button at the top.
- Then, tap on the “Share My Screen” button.
- Now, tap on the window displaying the shared screen.
- Next, tap on the “Remote Control” “Finger” icon showing at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Once the other participant accepts your request, you will be able to control their device – as if it’s sitting right in your palm. Moreover, you can also make full use of the onscreen keyboard within apps for assistance.
Accept a remote control request
- When someone requests to remotely control your screen, a remote control request notification will show up in the FaceTime app. To accept the request, hit the Allow option in the notification.
Decline a remote control request
- If you don’t want to let someone remotely control your device, tap the Don’t Allow option in the notification.
- Note that the screen sharing will continue and the other participant will still be able to tap, draw, or write on your screen to highlight specific points.
Stop remote control
Ending a remote control is a piece of cake.
- When allowing someone to control your screen, hit the Stop button at the bottom of the screen-sharing window.
- When controlling someone’s screen: hit the finger icon at the bottom of the screen-sharing window.
It’s worth pointing out that ending a FaceTime call also terminates remote control and screen sharing.
Use FaceTime Remote Control Feature on Your Mac
Using the FaceTime remote control feature on Mac is just as straightforward.
Request remote control
- When you are one-on-one FaceTime call on your macOS device, ask the other participant to share their screen with you.
- After that, click the Control Screen button located in the toolbar of the Screen Sharing window.
Accept a remote control request
- During a one-on-one FaceTime call on your Mac, first start sharing your screen.
- And then, click on the Screen Sharing button in the menu bar and hit Allow Control.
- Once the remote control request notification appears, make sure to click Allow in the window.
Decline a remote control request
- When you get a remote control request notification, simply hit the Don’t Allow option in the notification.
- Note that the screen sharing will continue to go as usual and the other participant can still draw or write on your screen in order to highlight specific things.
Stop remote control
- While someone is controlling your screen: hit the Control Screen button (looks like a laptop with a pointer) in the menu bar > Allow Control. This button will immediately be dimmed as confirmation.
- When you are controlling someone else’s screen: hit the Control Screen button (looks like a pointer) in the toolbar of the Screen Sharing window.
Fix FaceTime Remote Control Not Working on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
If you are unable to use the FaceTime Remote Control functionality, give a try to the following tips to resolve the problem.
8. Disable VPN
- VPN (aka virtual private networking) and the frustrating interference go hand-in-hand. If a VPN service is active on your iDevice, disable it.
- Head over to the Settings/System Settings app > VPN and turn it off.
9. Disable Firewall on Your Mac
Designed to shield your Mac from malicious connections and network access, Firewall keeps a close tab on the information coming through the internet connection and disallows dangerous information from passing through. However, in an attempt to enhance the security, it often blocks out the genuine and essential connections.
- Go to the System Settings app > Network > Firewall and turn it off.
10. Update Software
Should the remote control continue to malfunction, update the software on your device as the problem might be related to a persistent bug.
- On your iPhone and iPad: Go to the Settings app > General > Software Update > Download and install the update.
- On your Mac: Navigate to the System Settings app > General > Software Update > Install the latest macOS update.
Wrapping up…
There you go! I hope the FaceTime remote control is back in action and so has the smooth sailing video calling experience on your device. Now, before diving deep into a conversation, feel free to share your feedback and the tips that worked for you.
