How to Share Your Screen on a Computer or Phone

Sharing your screen solves the moment when explaining a problem takes longer than showing it. Use the route that matches what you are doing: presenting in a call, mirroring to a TV, or letting a trusted person view your computer.

Start with the fastest option below, then move to the device-specific fixes when the share button is missing or blocked.

Start inside the meeting app you already have open.

1.In Google Meet on a computer, join the meeting, choose Present now, pick A tab, A window, or Your entire screen, then select Share.
2.In Zoom on desktop, use the meeting toolbar, select Share, choose Screens, Documents, or Advanced, pick what to show, then select Share.
3.In Microsoft Teams Free on desktop, select Share, choose Include sound when needed, pick Content only, Standout, Side-by-side, or Reporter, then choose Screen or Window.
4.In Slack on desktop, open a huddle, select the share screen icon, choose a screen, window, or application, then select Share.
5.When you finish, use Stop Presenting, Stop presenting, Stop sharing, Stop Share, or the sharing toolbar control shown by the app.

The most common cause is a missing Mac screen recording permission, a host control, or an account setting that blocks sharing.

On a Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording, then turn on permission for the app or browser. To add an app, select Add and choose the app.

In Google Meet, the host opens Menu or More, goes to Host controls, and turns Share their screen on.

In Zoom, the screen sharing control sits in the Zoom web portal under Settings > Meeting > In Meeting (Basic) > Screen sharing. In Microsoft Teams, an admin controls this in Teams admin center > Meetings > Meeting policies > Content sharing > Screen sharing mode.

Use FaceTime or Messages on Apple devices

FaceTime is the Apple-to-Apple option for showing an iPhone or Mac screen during a call. On iPhone, start or join a FaceTime call, tap the screen to show controls, tap More, choose Screen Sharing, then tap Share My Screen.

You can also start from Messages on iPhone. Open a one-to-one conversation, tap FaceTime, then choose Share My Screen. To ask for the other person's screen, tap FaceTime and choose Ask to Share Screen.

On Mac, open the app you want to show during the FaceTime call, use the menu bar Video button, select Screen Share, then choose Share Entire Screen, Share This Window, or Share All [App] Windows.

If FaceTime sharing fails, use Messages on Mac: open the conversation, select FaceTime, then choose Share My Screen or Ask to Share Screen.

Mirror a phone to a TV or Mac

For iPhone or iPad, connect the device to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible smart TV, or Mac. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, choose the TV or Mac, and enter the AirPlay passcode when one appears.

To stop mirroring, return to Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then choose Stop Mirroring. To change automatic AirPlay behavior, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity > Automatically AirPlay and choose Never, Ask, or Automatic.

AirPlay to Mac needs a compatible Mac running macOS Monterey 12 or later: an iMac Pro, a Mac mini introduced in 2020 or later, or any other Mac model introduced in 2018 or later. On macOS Ventura 13 or later, use Apple menu > System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity or AirDrop & Handoff, then AirPlay Receiver. On macOS Monterey 12, use Apple menu > System Preferences > Sharing > AirPlay Receiver.

On compatible Samsung Galaxy devices, open Quick settings, tap Smart View, select the TV under Available devices, then tap Start now. Enter the PIN or allow access on the TV if you are prompted. Smart View is not on every Galaxy device, and the screens and settings vary by carrier, software version, and model. To disconnect, tap Smart View and choose Disconnect.

Open your video conferencing app and choose its screen sharing option.

When Android asks what to share, tap A single app to keep the rest of your phone private. Select the app, then tap Start sharing.

In Google Meet on Android, iPhone, or iPad, join the meeting, tap the screen, choose More, then tap Share screen and Start Sharing.

To present in Google Meet without joining normally, open Meet, tap the meeting or Join with code, choose Share Screen, then continue to Start Now or Start Broadcast.

In Zoom on Android, tap Share, choose Screen, and end with Stop Share. In Zoom on iPhone or iPad, tap Share Content, choose Screen, select Microphone Off or Microphone On, then tap Start Broadcast.

Before sharing your whole phone, turn on Do Not Disturb so notifications stay off the shared screen.

Cast a computer screen to a TV or display

On Windows, turn on the TV, projector, or display first, then press Windows logo key + K and select the display. Use Windows logo key + P to switch between PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second screen only.

To cast from one Windows PC to another, install the Wireless Display app on a receiving PC running Windows 11, version 22H2 or later, from Start > Settings > System > Projecting to this PC > Optional features > View features. Search for wireless display, select Wireless Display, choose Next, select Install, go back, and launch Wireless Display. On an earlier version of Windows, type connect in the taskbar search box and select the Connect app on the receiving PC instead.

From Chrome on a computer, open More > Cast, save, and share > Cast..., then select a Cast receiver. To share the full desktop instead of a tab, choose Sources, select Cast screen, then pick the device.

On Pixel phones, open Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Google Cast, choose a single app or the entire screen, then tap the target device. To stop, swipe down, use the Cast notification, and tap Disconnect.

Let someone help by viewing your computer

Use remote support only with someone you trust, because remote support tools expose your apps and files during the session. Windows users should start with Quick Assist, while Chrome Remote Desktop works across Mac, Windows, and Linux computers.

On Windows, open Quick Assist, enter the helper's six-digit code in Code from assistant, select Submit, then choose Allow.

If the helper requests control of your PC, choose Allow. To stop control, use Cancel control; to end the session, select Leave.

To help someone else with Quick Assist, open Quick Assist, choose Help someone, share the six-digit code, and wait for them to allow the connection. After they share their screen, use Request control when control is needed.

Chrome Remote Desktop is another current remote-support option. In Chrome, go to remotedesktop.google.com/support, choose Download under Get Support, install Chrome Remote Desktop, select Generate Code, send the code to your helper, then approve Share when they connect.

Pick quick app-specific routes

Use these when you already know which app the other person is on.

1.WhatsApp video call: open More Options, choose Share screen, then pick Share one app or the screen option shown by your device.
2.Discord desktop: join a voice channel where you have permission, select Screen streaming, choose an application window or entire screen, then select Go Live.
3.Discord mobile: start screen sharing from the voice, DM, group DM, or server voice controls, then follow the iOS or Android broadcast prompt.
4.Microsoft Teams chat: in a desktop chat, open More chat options, choose Screen sharing, pick a screen or Window, then wait for others to accept.
5.Slack mobile huddle: open the huddle, tap three dots, then choose Share Screen.

Handle work or school limits

Managed accounts restrict who presents, whether participants share, and whether someone requests control. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Discord servers, and Slack workspaces all include controls that remove screen sharing from accounts or meetings.

For Teams work or school meetings on mobile, use Share, then choose Share screen, Share PowerPoint, Share photo, Share video, or Share Whiteboard. Start with Start presenting or Start Broadcast, and end with Stop presenting or Stop Broadcast.

Skip consumer Skype for screen sharing. Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025, and directs consumer users to Microsoft Teams Free instead.

If this method fails, try the same call from a personal account or ask the meeting organizer to make you a presenter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the other person control my computer when I share my screen?

Only when you approve control in a remote-support tool. In Quick Assist, use Cancel control to stop control or Leave to end the session.

Is it safer to share one window instead of the whole screen?

Yes. Google Meet, Zoom, Teams, FaceTime on Mac, and Discord support sharing a tab, window, app, or screen depending on the platform, so choose the smallest view that shows the item you need.

Why can't I share my screen in a meeting?

A Mac permission, meeting host setting, workspace rule, or admin policy is blocking it. Check Screen & System Audio Recording on Mac, then ask the host or admin to allow screen sharing.

Can I mirror my phone to a TV without a meeting app?

Yes. iPhone and iPad use AirPlay, Pixel uses Google Cast, and Samsung Galaxy devices use Smart View with compatible TVs.