To connect to macOS systems using unattended access, it's essential to enable macOS permissions (TCC - Transparency, Consent, and Control) for ISL AlwaysOn.
TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) is a mechanism in macOS to limit and control application access to certain features, usually from a privacy perspective. This can include things such as location services, contacts, photos, microphones, cameras, accessibility, full disk access, and more.
Important: It's important to understand that macOS permissions are only granted upon request by the application, not in advance. Therefore, it's recommended to connect to remote computer after installing ISL AlwaysOn on a new macOS computer. This ensures that a remote user can promptly confirm permission requests.
Note: To create a privacy policy exception and automatically have the macOS permissions enabled, you can deploy ISL AlwaysOn through the MDM system. MDM solutions are primarily meant to be used by system administrators who are responsible for setting up and configuring many machines. With Apple's MDM solutions you can, among other things pre-approve certain applications to access system resources without the user having to approve a checkbox on the application requests.
Follow these steps to set up unattended access on a macOS computer:
Step 1
Begin by installing ISL AlwaysOn on the macOS computer you wish to access remotely using any of the following methods:
via ISL Light:
- Add this Computer
- Set Unattended Access via Email
- Set Unattended Access via Link
- Set Unattended Access via Code
- Set Unattended Access in Session
via Web Portal:
via Downloads:
- Downloads
Important: When using the direct download link unattended access needs to be set manually via methods described above or in ISL AlwaysOn > Add Remote User.
Step 2
Click the "Continue" button.
Step 3
Click the "Install" button.
Step 4
Set up an Access Password and click the "Grant Access" button.
Note: If this is the first time the ISL AlwaysOn is being installed on this computer then you will be asked to come up with the Access Password for the computer as well. Access password must be entered whenever you want to connect to the unattended computer.
Step 5
Click the "Close" button.
Step 6
To remotely access the macOS computer(s) you need to enable TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) for the ISL AlwaysOn application on macOS. On the initial install, ISL Light AlwaysOn will require to enable macOS permissions.
Click “Open System Settings”.
Alternatively, you can find a "Security & Privacy" section in ISL AlwaysOn settings:
- Accessibility (to enable remote control)
- Screen Recording (to enable screen view)
- Disk Access (to enable file transfer)
If the status for these settings is DISABLED, ISL AlwaysOn does not have consent to either remote control the computer, view the screen, or transfer files with a remote computer.
Open “ISL AlwaysOn” on the remote computer and click any “Change” button from “Security & Privacy” section.
Step 7 (remote computer)
Open “Security & Privacy > Accessibility” settings on your Mac and enable “ISL AlwaysOn” to allow the control of mouse and keyboard.
Important: Permission in macOS, can only be approved when permission itself is requested by the application and not in advance. In the case of ISL AlwaysOn, this means that it is advisable to start a session as soon as you install ISL AlwaysOn on a new machine since a client will be there to confirm the permission requests. If this is not done you will be able to connect to a remote computer successfully, however, you will not be able to see its screen or control it until somebody on the remote side confirms the necessary permissions.
Once you grant permissions for ISL AlwaysOn you won't have to grant them again in subsequent sessions.
Step 8 (remote computer)
Open “Security & Privacy > Screen & System Audio Recording” settings on your Mac and enable “ISL AlwaysOn” to allow the operator to view your screen.
Step 9 (ISL Light)
Once permissions on the macOS are granted, the Operator will have the access and control of the remote computer. Open ISL Light "Computers list" in the dashboard. The computer is available for connection in ISL Light.
Note: Consider renaming the new computer so it is easier to find it next time e.g. Ed's MacMini.