What screen sharing actually does
Screen sharing means you let another person see exactly what is on your monitor in real time. They watch your screen from their own device — they do not take control of your mouse or keyboard unless you give them permission to do that separately. It is like holding your laptop toward someone so they can see what you are looking at, except they can be anywhere in the world.
The person watching your screen sees whatever you see: open documents, web pages, videos, your desktop background, everything. If you move your mouse or type, they see that happen live. You stay in control of what happens on your computer unless you explicitly hand over control, which is a different permission you grant separately.
Screen sharing works through software or apps that both people need to have access to — either the same app installed on both devices, or one person sends a link the other person can click to join. The connection is encrypted, meaning the video of your screen travels securely between devices.
Key Takeaways
- Screen sharing lets someone else see your screen in real time, but they cannot control your mouse or keyboard unless you give them that permission separately.
- Both people need access to the same app or platform — either both have it installed, or one person sends a link the other clicks to join.
- Common apps for screen sharing include Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Discord, and Apple FaceTime, each built into devices or available free.
- Before you share your screen, close any windows or tabs with passwords, bank information, or private documents you do not want the other person to see.
- The person watching your screen sees everything you see, including notifications and pop-ups, so take a moment to prepare your desktop first.
The most common apps for screen sharing
Zoom is the most widely used platform for screen sharing. You start a meeting, click the "Share Screen" button at the bottom of the window, choose which monitor or window you want to show, and the other person sees it when ready. Zoom works on Windows, Mac, phones, and tablets.
Google Meet (the video app in Gmail and Google Workspace) has a screen share button in the bottom toolbar. Click it, select what to share, and you are done. It works in any web browser and on phones.
Microsoft Teams has a "Share" button during a call or meeting. Click it and choose whether to share your entire screen, a single window, or a PowerPoint presentation. Teams is built into Windows 11 and available free on Mac and phones.
Discord is popular for gaming and group chat. During a voice or video call, click the screen icon to share. Apple FaceTime lets you share your screen on iPhones, iPads, and Macs by tapping the screen share button during a call. All of these are free to use.
How to prepare your screen before sharing
Before you start sharing, close any windows or browser tabs that contain passwords, bank account numbers, credit card information, or documents you do not want the other person to see. This includes email, private messages, and personal files. Take 30 seconds to close those windows completely — do not just minimize them, because the other person might see them if you click on them during the call.
Close any apps that send notifications, because notifications will pop up on your screen while you are sharing and the other person will see them. This includes text messages, email alerts, and calendar reminders. You can usually turn off notifications temporarily in your device settings.
If you are sharing a document or presentation, open it before you start the screen share so you do not have to hunt for it while the other person is watching. If you are showing someone how to do something on your computer, have the window or website already open and ready to go. The smoother your screen looks, the easier it is for the other person to follow along.
How to start sharing on Windows
On Windows 10 or 11, the easiest method is through the app you are already using for the call — Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. During a video call, look for a button labeled "Share Screen" or "Share" (usually at the bottom of the window). Click it.
A menu will appear asking what you want to share. You can choose your entire screen, a single window (like one browser tab or document), or a specific monitor if you have more than one. Select what you want to show and click "Share" or "Start Sharing." The other person will see it when ready.
To stop sharing, look for a "Stop Sharing" button, usually at the top of your screen or in the same menu where you started. Click it and your screen goes back to private.
How to start sharing on Mac
On a Mac, the process is nearly identical. During a video call in Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, or FaceTime, look for a "Share Screen" button. On FaceTime, swipe up from the bottom to see the control menu, then tap the screen share icon.
A menu will ask whether you want to share your entire screen or a single window. Choose what you want to show. If you are sharing a window, only that window appears to the other person — they cannot see your desktop or other open apps. If you are sharing your entire screen, they see everything.
To stop sharing, click "Stop Sharing" at the top of the screen or in the FaceTime menu. Your screen becomes private again when ready.
Letting someone else control your screen
Screen sharing and remote control are two different things. When you share your screen, the other person watches. When you give remote control, they can move your mouse and type on your keyboard as if they were sitting at your computer.
Remote control is useful when someone is helping you fix a problem or showing you how to do something step by step. To allow it, you have to click a button or give permission during the screen share — it does not happen automatically. In Zoom, look for "Request Remote Control" or "Give Control." In Teams, click "Give Control." In Google Meet, you have to use a third-party extension.
You can take control back at any time by clicking a button or pressing the Escape key. The other person cannot do anything on your computer unless you have given them that permission, and you can revoke it when ready.
What the other person can and cannot see
When you share your screen, the other person sees exactly what is on your monitor — every window, every tab, every notification. They see your mouse moving and your typing happening in real time. If you accidentally click on a password manager or email, they will see that.
They cannot see anything that is not on your screen. If you have a second monitor, they only see the monitor you chose to share. They cannot see your files unless you open them. They cannot see your keyboard or what you type unless it appears on the screen itself.
The other person cannot access your computer, install software, or change your settings unless you have given them remote control permission. They are watching, not controlling, unless you explicitly hand over control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone record my screen while I am sharing it?
Yes, depending on the app and the settings. Most video call apps allow the host or organizer to record the meeting, which includes your shared screen. Some apps let any participant record. Before you share sensitive information, ask whether recording is turned on or ask the other person not to record.
What if I accidentally share the wrong window?
Click "Stop Sharing" when ready, close the window you did not mean to show, and start sharing again. The other person will see you stop and start, but that is better than leaving private information visible.
Do I need the same app as the other person to share my screen?
Usually yes — both people need to be in the same video call app. However, some apps like Zoom let you send a link that the other person can click to join without having Zoom installed. They join through a web browser instead.
Can I share my screen on my phone?
Yes. On an iPhone or iPad, open FaceTime and tap the screen share icon during a call. On Android, use Google Meet or Zoom and tap the screen share button. The process is the same as on a computer.
What happens to my screen share if I get a phone call or notification?
Your screen share keeps running. The other person will see the notification pop up on your screen. If you answer a phone call, the screen share usually stops automatically. To avoid this, turn off notifications and silence your phone before you start sharing.