This is a routine how-to for anyone who uses a MacBook, iMac or Mac mini at home, at a shop or in an office, and wants to be sure nobody can connect to it from another computer. You will see where to find the sharing switches, what each one means in plain English, how to check your macOS version against Apple's fix of 6 August 2026, and when to ask for a hand. There is no need for alarm; this is simply good housekeeping.
How do I turn off Screen Sharing and Remote Management on a MacBook?
Short answer: Open the Apple menu, then System Settings, then General, then Sharing. Switch off Screen Sharing, Remote Management and Remote Login if you do not use them. Then open Software Update and install the latest macOS, so that you have Tahoe 26.6.1, Sequoia 15.7.9, Sonoma 14.8.9 or anything later.
What do these three settings do?
- Screen Sharing lets another computer on your network see and control your Mac's screen, with your username and password.
- Remote Management is a wider control feature used in offices, so that an administrator can manage a Mac from another one.
- Remote Login lets someone with a login connect to your Mac through a text-only channel called SSH.
Never share your Mac login with a caller or message that offers 'support'. Many home users never need any of them. Offices that use remote support may. If you are unsure whether you use them, think whether anybody has ever helped you by connecting to your Mac from a distance.
Steps to switch them off
- Click the Apple menu at the top left and choose System Settings.
- Choose General in the sidebar, then Sharing.
- Look at the list of switches. If Screen Sharing is on, click the switch to turn it off.
- Do the same for Remote Management and Remote Login. If a small info button appears beside Remote Login, it shows who is allowed to connect.
- Close the window. The switches should now all show as off.
The wording can differ slightly between macOS versions. While you are there, glance at the other switches, such as File Sharing, and turn off anything you do not recognise.
What did Apple fix on 6 August 2026?
Apple's security note for macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, dated 6 August 2026, describes a Screen Sharing flaw, listed as CVE-2026-65400. Apple states that an attacker on the network may be able to authenticate to Screen Sharing without valid credentials. Apple fixed it in Tahoe 26.6.1, Sequoia 15.7.9 and Sonoma 14.8.9. You can read Apple's note for Tahoe 26.6.1.
A Canadian Cyber Centre advisory (AV26-823, published 17 August 2026 and updated on 18 August) reports that CISA added this flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 18 August 2026. That listing is CISA's statement, relayed by the Canadian advisory; Apple's own page makes no statement about exploitation. You can read the Canadian Cyber Centre advisory. Two sensible steps follow from this: update macOS, and turn Screen Sharing off if you do not need it.
How do I check my macOS version?
- Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. The macOS name and version appear at the top.
- Compare it with the table below.
- If your version is older, open System Settings, General, Software Update and install what is offered.
macOS 27 was released on 14 September 2026 for Apple silicon Macs only. If you are on macOS 27, check Apple's security releases page to see whether it lists this fix. Intel Macs can run macOS 26 Tahoe at most, so keep them on the latest 26 version; our guide on how to check whether your Mac can run macOS 27 helps. Apple can change what its pages say, so check Apple's security releases page for the current status.
Before you update: a quick backup
A macOS update is normally safe, but a power cut or a shaky broadband line in the middle of a large download can happen in many parts of India. Plug in the charger, wait for steady power, and copy your important files with Time Machine or to a drive first. Do not close the lid or switch off the Mac while an update is installing. Our guide on how to back up your Mac works for any macOS update.
When to get help
- Software Update shows an error, or never offers the latest version.
- Remote Management is on and you do not know who set it up.
- The Mac behaves oddly after an update: slow, hot, or restarting by itself.
- You need to keep remote access for work, but want it set up safely.
If your MacBook is within Apple's warranty, Apple's authorised service is the right first call. We are an independent repair service and look after Macs that are out of warranty, or whose owner chooses independent repair. Our Apple MacBook repair page lists what we handle, and our Apple service page for Secunderabad covers visits in Hyderabad. MacBooks can also be couriered to us from anywhere in India. ₹149 doorstep visit fee, waived when you approve laptop repair with us.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
Treat sharing switches like house keys: give one out only when someone needs it, and take it back afterwards. After a support session, switch the setting off again. Every few months, spend a few minutes in Sharing to confirm nothing has been turned on that you do not remember. A short habit like this is better than any worry later.