How to Screen Share on FaceTime in 6 Steps, With Photos

Key Points

• Screen sharing on FaceTime allows users to share their device screens during a video call, making it useful for explaining instructions, collaborating on projects, and receiving tech support.
• Screen sharing is particularly helpful for visually demonstrating complex information and is beneficial for visual learners.
• FaceTime screen sharing promotes collaboration by allowing users to edit, annotate, and discuss projects together in real time.
• Screen sharing on FaceTime is a convenient way for tech experts to troubleshoot and provide step-by-step instructions to resolve technical issues.
• To screen share on FaceTime, open the app, start a call, tap the ‘Share’ button, select ‘Share My Screen.’ Stop screen sharing by tapping the Share button again.

For the longest time, Apple devices would not allow you to access other apps or features while on a FaceTime call. Then came SharePlay. First introduced in 2021, SharePlay has quickly become one of the most significant features of the app. From watching streaming services with friends to playing multiplayer games to screen sharing, it’s already hard to imagine FaceTime without SharePlay today. There’s just one thing: How do you screen share on FaceTime in the first place? Let’s walk through the necessary steps below.

Why Screen Share on FaceTime?

Screen sharing on FaceTime is a valuable feature that allows users to share their device screens with others during a video call. From explaining something to working collaboratively on a project to receiving support from a tech wizard, this feature can prove incredibly useful in a variety of ways. Whether you’re sharing ideas, working together, or providing assistance, it’s a feature that can greatly improve your FaceTime calls overall. Here are three simple reasons why you might want to know how it’s done.

Explaining Instructions

Screen sharing on a FaceTime call can help you better explain something to the person you’re talking to. Whether it’s a document, a website, or an app, screen sharing allows you to show it in real time. This is especially helpful when trying to convey complex information. Forget about trying to make it make sense with words alone. Screen sharing on FaceTime lets you demonstrate the process visually instead of strictly verbally. Visual learners will likely find this feature particularly invaluable. Why tell when you can simply show?

Collaborating with Others

In addition to helping you explain instructions, screen sharing on FaceTime also promotes collaboration. Whether you and your fellow FaceTimer are working on the same document, photo, or other type of project, screen sharing helps you feel like you’re working in the same room together — even if you’re miles apart. This feature allows you to edit, annotate, and discuss your projects together in a more interactive way than ever before. It becomes even more useful during group FaceTime calls.

Receiving Tech Support

Knowing how to screen share on FaceTime also comes in handy when you find yourself in a tough spot (technologically speaking, at least). If you or someone you know is facing technical issues on an Apple device, screen sharing over FaceTime lets the tech expert see exactly what’s happening on the display. With this nifty feature, the expert can guide the FaceTimer through step-by-step troubleshooting instructions to resolve the problem. It’s never been easier for the not-so-savvy to receive tech support.

How to Screen Share on FaceTime

Knowing how to screen share on FaceTime can be a major game-changer for the future of your video calls. It lets you show what’s happening on your phone or computer screen with the person you’re chatting with, making it easier to collaborate, troubleshoot, or simply share some instructions. In this walkthrough below, we’ll show you the six easy steps required to start screen sharing on FaceTime. These instructions are optimized for iPhones and iPads, but can apply to FaceTime calls on MacBook devices as well.

Step One: Open FaceTime

First, open up the FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad. You can also access FaceTime by going to your phone log or contacts list and selecting the person you wish to FaceTime.

Step Two: Begin Call

Next, begin your FaceTime call. You have a few different ways of doing this: Choose to start a new FaceTime call, create a link to send to a friend, or tap the FaceTime button within a person’s contact card.

Step Three: Await Answer

Now, wait for the person to answer the call. If they don’t answer, try calling again later. For devices running iOS 17 or later, you can also try leaving a FaceTime voicemail and then await a callback.

Step Four: Tap Share

Once the person answers, look for the “Share” button at the top of your FaceTime call. Tapping this will reveal a menu within the call. The menu has several options, including the Listen Together and Play Together features. We want the button at the very top: Share My Screen.

Step Five: Hit “Share My Screen”

Select “Share My Screen” from the SharePlay menu. Now, you’re free to carry on with your instructions, collaboration, or tech support. Your device will leave the FaceTime menu active on your screen with a message that says “Viewing My Screen.” The menu allows you to adjust audio and video settings within the screen sharing call. To be clear, the person on the other end of the call will not be able to see this menu. It’s for your eyes only.

Step Six: Stop Screen Sharing

To stop the screen share on FaceTime, hit the Share button again. This will turn off the screen-sharing feature and prevent the person on the other end of the call from seeing your activity outside the FaceTime call. Isn’t that easy?

MacBook

This process looks nearly identical on a MacBook, too. Open the FaceTime app on a Mac, start a call, and click the SharePlay button. The difference here is that Mac FaceTiming can support screen sharing of the entire screen, or can limit the screen share to a single document or tab. Your cursor will also appear in the screen share.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Kostenko Maxim/Shutterstock.com.