Apple axes Back to My Mac in macOS Mojave
Back to My Mac will be no more once macOS Mojave is released this fall. Apple on Tuesday made the discontinuation official by notifying customers of the removal, and sharing a support document outlining the changes.
A new support document outlines ways users can transition to other Apple services to replace the retired iCloud feature including iCloud Drive, screen sharing, and the Apple Remote Desktop app.
"Back to My Mac will not be available on macOS Mojave," reads the document in part. "You can get ready now by learning about alternatives for file access, screen sharing, and remote desktop access."
Back to My Mac debuted back in 2007 with Mac OS X Leopard as part of what was then known as .Mac. Later, .Mac turned into MobileMe before eventually becoming iCloud with Back to My Mac coming along for the ride. It was an easy and convenient way for users to access files on another machine remotely.
For users who had both a desktop and a laptop, it was a great way to share the screen and access files while at home or away. With the release of iCloud Drive and Apple's own Remote Desktop app, there is less of a need for this niche service that is replicating other features.
When the first beta of macOS Mojave was released, Back to My Mac was removed, though the news of it went a bit below the radar, perhaps highlighting how few people were currently using the aging service.
macOS Mojave will be shipping this fall as a free update for those on compatible machines, bringing many new features.
For those who rely on Back to MY Mac, AppleInsider has collected a few quick and easy alternatives that will take users well into the macOS Mojave era.
A new support document outlines ways users can transition to other Apple services to replace the retired iCloud feature including iCloud Drive, screen sharing, and the Apple Remote Desktop app.
"Back to My Mac will not be available on macOS Mojave," reads the document in part. "You can get ready now by learning about alternatives for file access, screen sharing, and remote desktop access."
Back to My Mac debuted back in 2007 with Mac OS X Leopard as part of what was then known as .Mac. Later, .Mac turned into MobileMe before eventually becoming iCloud with Back to My Mac coming along for the ride. It was an easy and convenient way for users to access files on another machine remotely.
For users who had both a desktop and a laptop, it was a great way to share the screen and access files while at home or away. With the release of iCloud Drive and Apple's own Remote Desktop app, there is less of a need for this niche service that is replicating other features.
When the first beta of macOS Mojave was released, Back to My Mac was removed, though the news of it went a bit below the radar, perhaps highlighting how few people were currently using the aging service.
macOS Mojave will be shipping this fall as a free update for those on compatible machines, bringing many new features.
For those who rely on Back to MY Mac, AppleInsider has collected a few quick and easy alternatives that will take users well into the macOS Mojave era.
Comments
Try talking your aging parents through a change in system settings when you can see their screen but not control their mouse. “click the blue OK button... No No No, not he Cancel button!” *facepalm*
Just another example of Apple struggling with services.
Damn I’m good. Very next post too. So removing a single feature makes Mojave useless and you’re going to switch platforms. How deliciously stupid.
Actually, I never managed to get Back To My Mac to work. I couldn't work out if it was a problem with the ports on my router, my ISP, or the software itself. I use Parallels Access when I need to connect remotely, although that can be a bit clunky. I'm already paying for Parallels, and I get Access for free with that.
As I recall, a main selling point of Back To My Mac was access to your files, and now they're pushing for you to store everything in their cloud, so that need is going away. For those of us who want to actually run things, or manage our Macs remotely, there are other options that don't require Apple to manage anything themselves. What's the opposite of "Sherlocked"?
/s
They’re probably killing it for security reasons, which is good. My only ask is: if you can share your screen with Face Time/ Messages, and it has end to end encryption; why can’t you also allow remote control? Is there a significant difference in risk/security?