Screens: VNC Remote Desktop Reviews

by Igoapps.com

Don’t waste your money. Some reviews mentioned it was better than jump desktop. It’s not even close. This is just a glorified vnc client that is actually quite slow even on local networks. It doesn't work with headless windows servers. You have to have a monitor connected or you get a black screen. This is a known issue on the vnc server they use with it.

So for my own use I had three computers to login to, the main windows server I just get a black screen. I have a remote server and it works on that but is very slow. Then there is my MacBook Pro and it works on that kind of but doesn't work nearly as well as jump desktop or parallels access, the UX for Screens just isn't good. I was hoping for something usable. Oh and apple no longer gives refunds if you have problems with software, I only had the software 2 days and spent that time just trying to get it working right. This was the last app I plan to purchase on Screens Store. Well I guess I got suckered because you do have a beautiful icon, too bad that quality didn't translate to the rest of Screens .

I hate writing this negative review. If Apple had just given me a refund, for this broken app, I would have just let it go unreviewed.

by Mcclajb

Screens/service was great a while back, but it’s terrible now. There are always issues. For the past couple months, I have been unable to connect remotely to my Mac altogether. And there have been no changes to my Mac settings or the iPad Pro (2018) that I use to connect remotely. The Mac is on and acts as a server 100% of the time.

I was happy to find out a few days ago that my ability to connect was unexpectedly restored. However, I am now unable to click on anything. I have always used trackpad mode on my iPad, and it worked well. To be able to see the cursor move now but not click on anything is maddening.

Screens has killed my ability to get work done when away from my Mac. I would avoid this at all cost until they put out a decent product.

by D15N0neya

I have never written a review and I am certainly not the type of person who writes poor reviews for the sake of it. However, after this experience I believe the right thing to do is to share what happened so others will be forewarned.

The issue is if you upgrade to Mojave, Screens will no longer work with or without Curtain Mode enabled. I can prove this as I have two other Macs which are still on High Sierra and Screens works as expected.

I notified the developers’ support team (one in the same?) and they were less than helpful. They never read through my explanation fully, they provided me “solutions” that had nothing to do with my issue (proving they were not reading my emails), they yelled back at me (in all caps), and then they just flat out gave up, encouraging me to ask Apple for a refund. Which cannot be fulfilled since I purchased Screens over a year ago (part of me thinks the developer knew this and was just continuing to be unhelpful).

*** This issue is with the Edovia software and Mojave (period). ***

by Sarassine

Ok, let's start with the good – Screens has very nice interface, it is priced very reasonably and I have experienced no crashes so far.
However... there still isn't any file sharing support between iOS and MacOS, although at this point this is no longer a limitation of iOS.
Additionally, I have experienced a strange glitch in connectivity – Screens will not connect over mobile network using a properly port forwarded IPv4 address! It does, however, connect without a problem using IPv6 address! Not sure whether this is an issue with Screens itself, or something to do with T-Mobile, but I have been able to successfully port forward bunch of other stuff on my network, so I don't think I have misconfigured anything. Using pfSense for my router.

by Kissysho

Ok the whole concept of Screens could be so great for us designers. I have a macbook pro 16 inch that I use photoshop intensely for.

I was so excited for Screens because I thought I could use photoshop on the go on my ipad pro remotely from my 16 inch because who is lugging around 4.5 pounds

But photoshop does not work. It will open up the software but when it comes to pen support and editing it just doesnt work

I guess that would be a game changer if it did. And photoshop for ipad is a complete joke. Any of us pro users know its a liquid form of photoshop.

I need to edit photos daily and I cant seem to figure out to be productive on the go.

Now for wanting to log into your computer system away from home, grab a file or something than this is good.

I really tried to give Screens a chance but it doesnt work for me

Apple tries with their version but it only works with devices near by and not remotely and their pen support for photoshop works

We are in 2021 and us apple users can not use out ipad pros with mac os softwares.

Thought I leave this review for those who wanted to get this for photoshop. Sadly it just doesnt work

by P----ed Off

The developer worked with me to find a solution however when one was not found they did refund the purchase price. Down loaded a more expensive app with
Phone support, I had no router issues. This tells me it is in the software of Screens that prohibited the hand shake. I guess I’ll never know.

Purchased app three days ago. Unable to connect to my MAC using my iPhone. Only way it works is when I’m connected to my home WiFi. That is not what I want to do.
Support says I should check my firewall. It is set up correctly. Support says it should be plugged to a power source. It is. Support says to verify settings, verified and correct. Still, not working. Can anyone please offer some help so I can get on with my life?

by Fjc618

Overall it’s a great app, I can do what remote pc can do. I don’t expect any more then that. However it doesn’t matter how much I change the ms settings plus I’m using a local network on a dual band wireless ac linksys router and there is a major lag when opening and closing windows and the curser is not in sync with my iPad Pro. All my network traffic is simple just between my iPad and pc, nothing more. Plus there is no full screen feature, for a 12.9” iPad screen I should not have to zoom in and cut half my remote screen off to see.

by Dirtyankle

Couldn’t rate Screens better, I’ve been looking for a secure option alternative to using screen sharing native to Mac OS. You may find other screenshqring apps, but this one uses apples native screen sharing server, as long as you have a static IP. If not, they have a desktop app that basically is a DDNS. With Screens, I no longer need a Mac to connect securely to another Mac. I no longer use a desktop app because my computers are on a static IP, and I no longer need to pay monthly to a Splashtop or log Me in. Screens is the best!

by Eric Summers

I tried several VNC apps. This one works better then the rest. Other apps didn’t work quite right with the Magic Keyboard.

My biggest complaint is lack of a trial mode. I wasted time trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and purchase this.

I wish there was gesture support on the Magic Keyboard for changing desktops, but I can live with pressing control-left/right.

by Tortugonal

Allows curtain mode and many add-ons that make it shine. Works perfectly with free Mac software, and free service keeps track of IP address, so you can punch through your router without needing to set up a VPN like Hamachi.

Fast, easy to understand, and supports tablet and cursor mode, function keys, one-button access to Spotlight, automatic login with excellent security, and zoom.

Well supported, really rapid tech direct answers to queries, and fully compatible with iPhone X.

by Snivram

Just what I've been looking for. Does an excellent job of meeting my needs. Have been using logmein for a couple of years. My subscription ran out so I decided to shop around. Ended up with the trial version of Parallels Access which was very good, and infinitely superior to logmein. But this app topped Parallels, at least for my needs. Cleaner and simpler, yet has just he right features. Very well thought out. No problems so far. Easy to install on my iPad and with a few simple configurations to Sharing in Mac System Preferences I was up and running. Love track pad mode for working in Quickbooks. Recommend very highly to anyone looking to connect to their Mac with their iPad.

by Tag*

I purchased this to remote into my Mac Mini from an outside network. Following all the instructions, I cannot get my Mini to wake up (even when the hard drive does not sleep and even inside my home network). I sent a ticket to support and never heard from them. The Mac Mini’s energy saver settings are slightly different from a MacBook because there’s no battery mode—not sure if this is the problem.

by Judas_loc

This is a great way to keep monitoring going for all your remote computers. Due to COVID i have yet to test this outside of a local WiFi network, but otherwise it’s been very nice to use.

Definitely better to have a keyboard with whatever you want to monitor with for better control, such as on an iPad, especially if you use multiple spaces pre monitor, but it’s still pretty handy with an iPhone.

by Greg Smithies

I was very pleasantly surprised when I just used this app for the first timeworn an external display attached to my iPad Pro. Rather than simply mirroring the iPad display onto that external display (like most other apps do) instead it gives you a full bleed (edge to edge) full resolution, 16:9 version of the Remote Desktop on the external display. Makes it MUCH more usable. Very impressed.

by Mrapplegate

November 15,2017
Each update brings this software to perfection. There is nothing you can’t do remotely with it. I love the in app purchase that allows you to use your iPhone as a trackpad while you remote in with the iPad. Cursor control is better with the trackpad I’ve found.
Bottom line if you have to help your parents with their Macs then this is perfect for you.
I buy every upgrade they charge for, which is not many, but it says a lot for the quality app they produce.

Each version gets better and better. There are several must have apps and this is one.
I’ve used this app since the first version. I don't mind paying what some consider a lot of money for a quality app. Screens does remote access very well. I use it to help my Dad when he needs help mostly. It's perfect for family remote assistance.

by Craigtheguru

I have used this app for years to remotely connect to various desktop and laptop Macs. The features and performance are great and Edovia continues to enhance Screens on all platforms. The iOS version of this app in particular is rock solid and I love using my iPad to hop on to my Macs and using the same great app and experience on my iPhone in pinch if needed.

I also wanted to give a shout out to Edovia. I ran in to an issue with multi-desktop support and they reached out unprompted and help me resolve it, ultimately by rebooting my High Sierra Mac. Thanks guys!

by Bad_andy

I’ve been testing it since purchase last night. I like that it supports encrypted VNC on a local network over SSH. The trouble happens when using this app with a Bluetooth-connected Apple Keyboard. So far, about a quarter of the time, the on-screen keyboard tries to pop up unnecessarily. When dismissed the toolbar that includes the only way to gracefully terminate the session is shoved to the top and then scrolled out of the window, obscuring both part of the Remote Desktop and leaving me with no way out but to force-quit Screens .

by MiklosJ

I have an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil and a Magic Keyboard. I’ve been struggling to find a VNC client to access my Ubuntu desktop/server. Screens has excellent Magic Keyboard support, gestures work perfectly, even with the Apple Pencil. With the url scheme I can create a launcher on my iPad Home Screen. The connection is active whenever I return to Screens , unlike some other apps where I have to reconnect after 15 seconds or so in the background. I’m impressed with Screens.

by Zmclearan

this app was already my go to remote in application and now with the addition of cursor support it takes my workflow to the next level! Using my iPad Pro + Smart Keyboard + Magic Trackpad + an external display = an incredible desktop setup that I can just fold up and take wherever I am needed. Cursor support is extremely well implemented.

I would like to seem a few improvements, if possible. I wish the iPad’s cursor could be hidden while controlling another computer. To my knowledge this is possible with the current API. I would also like to disable pinch-to-zoom (on a trackpad) for the application and pass the zoom gesture to the remote computer.

Keep up the fantastic work!

by David_D_RI

Do you have an iPad Pro with a Magic Keybaord and you want to remote control your Mac or PC? Yes. This is Screens you want. Not only because it does everything other remote apps do, but because it works perfectly with the magic keyboard trackpad to give you near-perfect mouse control. You can click buttons, resize windows, drag things around your desktop - all with your magic keyboard trackpad. Perfect.

by Mr. Lucas Brice

I’ve been having connection issues. Sometimes it connects, but when I try to connect later on, it just says “connecting.” Nothing happens. The times that I’m able to connect, there’s an unacceptably long lag about half the time. Restarting the computer doesn’t fix the problem. Rebooting my iPad fixes it.

I contacted support. They asked me to send a report, which I did. They ignored it. Now they want me to send a diagnostic report again (see below), even though they ignored it when I sent one a few weeks ago. I’m now looking for another VNC solution because this app is unreliable and their support is sketchy.

by Chmod007

I had trouble getting typing to work reliably when either the Mac or the iPad had the keyboard layout set to Dvorak. Regardless of what combination of keyboard settings I tried, there would be some keys that didn’t behave as I needed them to. The rest of Screens seems excellent; the developer has gone above and beyond on polish. I hope support for other keyboard layouts will improve.

by RefreshINiT

such a well crafted application!
the fact that it includes mobile support to connect is the dopest part. Cheers to my northern neighbors for your great product. Canada really is awesome, the thoroughness, total OS coverage and easy of setup truly makes my not miss BTMM at all. In fact, it makes apples version happily discontinued!

way to go ehh

by Eldhaf

I have been using RDP Apps on iPhone for many years, i have been using iTeleport and more but they are all so slow and have very bad Ui. Screens has very good speed, UI is beautiful. I also bought the OSX version (this app 4) and that App replaced the Apple Remote Desktop App, this app 4 is so much better and i sync all settings smoothly with iCloud.

Very good Apps!

Thanks

by Isaiahweddle

Hi Screens looks great and I was intending to purchase at some time but instead of leaving Screens Store app I left my finger on the home button a little too long and I accidentally purchased Screens via Touch ID. How can I get a refund please? I’m not going to trash the review or at anything I just don’t have that kind of money at the moment, please help!

by Morpho_Blue

I have been using this app since it dropped. It was a little buggy outside of my home network. Sometimes it connected, most times not. I am patient and really like the simplicity and ease of use.
Just returned from a 10 day trip to Europe and this app worked flawlessly everywhere and every time.

by Pariah Zero

I saw the price and thought to myself: how can yet another Remote Desktop client possibly be better than the legion of (far cheaper) clients I’ve used for over a decade?

Remote clients are about as utilitarian as software comes: just show me the other computer’s screen and let me pass input to it. They do their job by getting out of the way.

this app has managed to pull it off - it’s hands down the best iOS VNC client I’ve used. It has an amount of polish and thought in its design that I didn’t think possible.

It “gets out of my way” better than anything else I’ve tried, letting me focus on the task at hand.