Ughhh... anyone know of a good, free alternative to TeamViewer?

[PeterB]

I use Team Viewer for helping my relatives with their Macs, especially an older brother who is disabled.

It usually works OK, but just now logged/locked me out, claiming that I was using it for commercial purposes (which obviously I wasn't). They made me go through signing a PDF stating that I wasn't using for commercial use, but then say it will take a minimum of two business days to respond. (This isn't the first time this has happened, either...)

In the meantime, I need to help my brother... so what can I use instead for the time being? Keeping in mind that I'll probably have to install it myself, so using TeamViewer for like the minute it allows me to, just to install on his machine... or better yet would be something he already has on there.

TiA

[Sarcany]

In a pinch, I will share screens via the Messages app. It's prone to dropping the connection, but it gets the job done.

[pinkoos]

I use AnyDesk with my mom

https://anydesk.com/en

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anydesk/id1176131273

[PeterB]

Sarcany wrote:
In a pinch, I will share screens via the Messages app. It's prone to dropping the connection, but it gets the job done.

Hmmm... I'm assuming he has to have an account with Apple for that? He doesn't have an iPhone, so is not routinely using Messages.

[space-time]

ZOOM has remote control. I used it to help my Dad.

[space-time]

At work we use NoMachine. They also have free plans but I didn't try the free plan.

https://www.nomachine.com

[Fritz]

what Sarcany said. He's on a recent vintage Mac? Messages is in there.
I think it's been around for 10 years.
As Sarcany said, it is prone to multiple restarts, especially after remote controlling.
We have used anydesk in a commercial situation. Found it prone to crash or lock-up depending on bandwidth. YMMD.

Too bad about TV. I use it lots with my Luddite f & f.
Desktops full of files and folders. Argh!

[S. Pupp]

pinkoos wrote:
I use AnyDesk with my mom

https://anydesk.com/en

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anydesk/id1176131273

I had the same problem with Teamviewer.
I started using AnyDesk, and have never looked back.

[Ken Sp.]

I used to use Teamviewer, but Zoom is so much better, unless you need unattended access.
Have the other party share their screen with young request remote control-it is awesome.
The can also share an iOS screen, but, I have them share the Mac screen, then hook the iPhone/iPad up via lightning cable, and view it using QuickTime Player, by selecting New Movie, and using the iOS device as the source.
FYI-Mac to Mac, Messages does screen sharing most of the time.

[PeterB]

Actually guys, the reason I was trying to use TeamViewer in the first place (most recently) is because he claims that Zoom isn't working properly. ... I'm sure I don't need to say it, but it's really aggravating to have relatives who are so completely computer un-savvy...