How To Share Screen On Facetime

Introduction

FaceTime is an incredibly popular video calling app for Apple device users to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues. In more recent software updates, Apple has added the ability to share your screen during FaceTime calls, making it even more useful for remote collaborations, online meetings and showing others how to use a particular app or feature on your device. This article will outline the process of sharing your screen on FaceTime, whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Share Screen on iOS Devices

FaceTime screen sharing is available only on iOS 15 or later for iPhones and iPadOS 15.1 or later for iPads. If you haven’t updated your device’s software yet, you’ll need to do so before you can share your screen. Follow these steps to share your iPhone or iPad screen during a FaceTime call.

Share iPhone or iPad Screen on FaceTime

  1. Start a FaceTime call with the person you want to share your screen with.
  2. Tap the screen while on the video call to reveal the control bar at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap the Share Content button (represented by a rectangle with a small arrow) in the control bar.
  4. Choose “Share My Screen” from the list of options that appear.
  5. You’ll see a three-second countdown before your entire screen is shared through FaceTime with the other caller.
  6. During this time, navigate through your apps and content as needed, and everything on your screen will be visible to the other person.

It’s important to note that while you’re sharing your screen, notifications will be hidden from view, maintaining some level of privacy during your call.

Accept a Screen Sharing Request

In most cases, when you start sharing your screen during a FaceTime call, the person at the other end will automatically see what’s being shared without having to accept any requests. However, if their device was locked or they are using a different app, they might need to tap “Open” next to the “Join Screen Sharing” banner that appears on their device.

Stop Sharing iPhone or iPad Screen

There are several ways you can stop sharing your iPhone or iPad screen during a FaceTime call:

  1. Tap the FaceTime picture-in-picture tile to return to the main FaceTime call view.
  2. Once there, tap anywhere on the screen to make all buttons visible.
  3. Tap the Share Content button or the screen sharing icon to immediately stop screen sharing.
  4. Alternatively, you can lock your iPhone’s screen, which will also cease any screen sharing while keeping the FaceTime call active.
  5. Finally, ending the FaceTime call altogether will also terminate any ongoing screen sharing.

Share Screen on Mac Devices

FaceTime is also available for Mac computers running macOS Monterey or later. To share your screen during a FaceTime call on your Mac, follow these steps:

Share Mac Screen on FaceTime

  1. Open the FaceTime app on your Mac and start a video call with the person you want to share your screen with.
  2. While on the call, hover your cursor over the FaceTime window to reveal a set of controls at the top of the window.
  3. Click the green FaceTime button (it looks like a video camera) in the top menu bar, or click “Share Content” at the bottom of the FaceTime window.
  4. You will be presented with two options: share a window or share your entire screen.
  5. If you choose “Window,” hover your cursor over an open app window and click it to only-share that specific window.
  6. If you prefer to share your whole desktop, simply click anywhere outside of the control panel that appeared when you clicked “Share Content.”

While sharing your entire screen allows other callers to see everything on your desktop, sharing a single window limits their view to just one app or document. This can be useful for privacy or when you only need to share specific content.

Sharing a Window on Mac

When sharing a specific app window during a FaceTime call from your Mac, there are certain rules and limitations to keep in mind:

  1. You can only share one window at a time. If you need to swap between multiple apps or windows, you’ll need to change the shared window during the call (outlined below).
  2. When sharing a web browser like Safari or Chrome, all tabs within that browser window will be visible. However, additional browser windows will not be shared with other callers.
  3. To stop sharing a specific app window, click “Share Content” in the top menu bar and select “Stop Sharing Window” or “Stop Sharing Screen.”

Change Shared Window

If you need to switch the window being shared during your call, follow these steps:

  1. Click the purple Share Content button located in the top-left corner of the currently-shared app’s window.
  2. Choose “Change Shared Window” from the dropdown menu.
  3. Move your cursor over another open window on your screen and click it.
  4. The new window should now replace the previously shared content with your FaceTime caller.

Manage Privacy and Notifications during Screen Sharing

During FaceTime screen-sharing sessions, Apple has implemented some features to help maintain user privacy:

  1. When you’re sharing your screen via FaceTime on iOS devices, notifications are automatically hidden from both callers’ views.
  2. Likewise, opening Notification Center on an iPhone or iPad while screen sharing will only display a black screen to other users, keeping the contents of your notifications private.
  3. On Macs, new notifications are also hidden during screen-sharing sessions; however, unlike iPhones and iPads, if you open your Notification Center while sharing your Mac’s screen, the messages and alerts stored there will be visible to other callers.

It is advisable to put your device on “Do Not Disturb” mode when sharing your screen on FaceTime to ensure that no notifications or calls interrupt the session.

FaceTime’s screen-sharing feature is a useful tool for collaboration, demonstrating app usage, troubleshooting issues, or simply showing off a fantastic photo. With the ability to share your device’s screen on both iOS devices and Mac computers, you can make sure that you’re always ready to work together with friends, family, or colleagues through the Apple ecosystem.

While we’re focused on discussing how to share your screen on FaceTime, it’s worth noting that you can also modify AirPods name to personalize your audio experience during those screen sharing sessions.

FAQs

  1. Can I share my screen on FaceTime with non-Apple devices, such as Android or Windows?

    No, the screen-sharing feature is only available for FaceTime calls between Apple devices running iOS 15 or later for iPhones, iPadOS 15.1 or later for iPads, and macOS Monterey or later for Macs. While Android and Windows users can join a FaceTime call via their web browser, they cannot share their screens.

  2. Is audio also shared when I share my screen on FaceTime?

    By default, the internal audio from your device (such as music or app sounds) is not shared during FaceTime screen-sharing sessions. However, if your device’s microphone is enabled during the call, it might capture some of the audio being played. To ensure that participants can hear any essential sounds during the screen-sharing session, consider using SharePlay to watch videos or listen to music together.

  3. Can both parties share their screens simultaneously during a FaceTime call?

    No, only one person can share their screen at a time during a FaceTime call. If another participant wishes to share their screen, they must choose to “Take over screen sharing from someone else.”

  4. Can I continue using my device’s camera while sharing my screen on FaceTime?

    When you’re sharing your screen in a FaceTime call from an iPhone, your camera will be turned off automatically. However, on iPads and Macs, the camera remains active while sharing your screen.

  5. What can I do to enhance privacy during a FaceTime screen-sharing session?

    To maintain privacy during the session, Apple has implemented several features:
    -Notifications are automatically hidden on iOS devices when sharing screens in a FaceTime call.
    -Opening Notification Center on an iPhone or iPad displays as a black screen to other participants.
    -On Mac computers, new notifications are hidden during screen sharing, but you should avoid opening your Notification Center.

    To further protect your privacy and ensure no interruptions during your FaceTime screen-sharing session, turn on the “Do Not Disturb” mode on your device.

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