How to Share the Screen with FaceTime on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad

Although convenient, FaceTiming someone isn’t quite the same as meeting them in person. You might want to show your friend some new photos, share a project you’re working on, or plan your next vacation together. The good news is that you don’t have to be in the same room to do any of those activities, thanks to Apple’s screen sharing feature.

When using this handy feature, everyone on the call can see what’s on display and give their feedback. Keep reading to learn how to share a screen on FaceTime, regardless of your device.

Can Your Share Your Screen With Anyone?

All FaceTime participants must have a compatible device for the screen sharing feature to work. Otherwise, the option won’t even appear.

Currently, you can’t share your screen with Android or Windows users. But, there are some requirements for Apple users as well. For the screen sharing option to appear, all participants must run the following operating systems:

• macOS 12.1, or later
• iOS 15.1, or later
• iPadOS 15.1, or later

After ensuring everyone has the right software installed, you’re ready to start sharing your screen.

How to Share Your Screen with FaceTime on a Mac

A Mac offers you endless business and entertainment possibilities. Sharing your Mac screen can be the perfect way to receive feedback on an important project or just have a virtual watch party with your friends.

During a FaceTime call in macOS, screen sharing takes no more than a few clicks. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start your FaceTime call as usual.
   
2. While on the call, open the app you want to share.
   
3. Go to the menu bar and click on the “FaceTime” icon.
   
4. Press the “Screen Share” button.
   
5. Select the “Window” or the “Screen” option.
   

Depending on which option you choose, you’ll be given a choice between “Share This Screen” and “Share This Window.” Before clicking on an option, make sure to move your pointer to the content you want to share.

If you’d only like to share one app, move the pointer to the app’s window. Alternatively, move the pointer anywhere on the screen to share the entire screen.

When you decide to end screen sharing, simply revisit the “FaceTime” icon in the menu bar. This time, press the “Stop Sharing” button.

How to Share your Screen on FaceTime to Watch Videos Together

FaceTime’s SharePlay feature lets you bring TV shows and movies into your FaceTime calls. Not only can you watch the content together, but you can also share controls, making the experience as close to a real-life watch party as possible.

The only requirement is that everyone on the call has a subscription to the same streaming app.

Follow these steps to watch a video together on FaceTime:

1. Start your FaceTime call as usual.
   
2. While on the call, start watching a movie or a TV show using your preferred streaming app.
   
3. If prompted, confirm the use of SharePlay.

Call participants who don’t have access to the particular streaming service won’t be able to join in. The app will prompt them to gain access through a subscription, a free trial, or a transaction.

How to Share your Screen on FaceTime to Listen to Music Together

Suppose you and your friends are up for a virtual dance party or a cheerful study break. In that case, you can use SharePlay to listen to music together. You’ll be able to hear the song at the same time and use shared playback controls.

To listen to music together while on a FaceTime call, do the following:

1. While on the FaceTime call, launch the “Music” app.
   
2. Find your favorite song and tap the “Play” button.
   
3. If prompted, confirm the use of SharePlay.
   

If everyone on the call has access to the content, they’ll hear the music start simultaneously.

How to Share Your Screen with FaceTime on an iPhone

Sharing your screen on FaceTime requires no more effort than starting the call. Here’s what to do if you’d like to share meaningful content with everyone on the call:

1. While on the FaceTime call, press the “Share Content” button in the top-right corner of your screen.
   
2. Select “Share My Screen.”
   

After a short countdown, the screen sharing will begin. Other participants can tap “Join Screen Sharing” to join in. To see the content you want to show them, they need to press “Open” next to the “Join Screen Sharing” option.

How to Share Your Screen with FaceTime on an iPad

iPad allows you to quickly share your screen while on a FaceTime call and receive valuable feedback from your friends and colleagues.

1. Once the FaceTime call has started, hit the “Share Content” button at the top right.
   
2. Tap the “Share My Screen” option.
   

You won’t start sharing your screen immediately. Instead, you’ll see a short countdown first. Once the sharing begins, anyone on the call can press the “Join Screen Sharing” option. To see the content you’ve shared, they need to tap the “Open” button.

Sharing Is Caring

Sharing your screen is relatively simple due to an intuitive FaceTime interface across all Apple devices. From there, possibilities are endless, with apps, webpages, photos, and videos being just some of the options.

With how well the feature works, you’ll be able to share important content with your loved ones as if they were in the same room.

Have you shared your screen during a FaceTime call? Which device did you use? Let us know in the comments section below.