Screen sharing on Discord's website works through your browser, not a downloaded app
When you share your screen on Discord's website, you're letting other people in a voice or video call see exactly what's on your monitor in real time. This is different from screen sharing on the Discord app you read to your computer — the website version runs inside your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and has some different limits on what you can share and how many people can watch.
The basic steps are straightforward: start a voice or video call with someone, look for the screen share button, pick what you want to show, and click start. But there are real differences between what the website lets you do and what the app does, and some browsers work better than others for this feature.
Key Takeaways
- Screen sharing on Discord's website requires you to be in an active voice or video call first — you cannot share your screen in text-only channels.
- The screen share button appears in the call controls at the bottom of your browser window, next to the mute and camera buttons.
- Firefox, Chrome, and Edge all support screen sharing on Discord's website, but Safari has limited support and may not work reliably.
- You can share your entire screen or just a single browser tab, and you can switch between them during the call without stopping and restarting.
- The website version of Discord limits screen sharing to 720p resolution at 30 frames per second, while the downloaded app allows higher quality.
Starting a call and finding the screen share button
Before you can share your screen, you need to be in an active voice or video call. You can start a call by clicking the phone icon next to someone's name in your direct messages, or by clicking the phone icon at the top of a server channel. Once the call is active, you'll see a row of buttons at the bottom of your screen: a microphone icon, a camera icon, and a screen icon that looks like a rectangle with a small arrow.
That rectangle icon is your screen share button. Click it, and Discord will ask you what you want to share: your entire screen, or just one browser tab. If you choose your entire screen, everyone in the call will see everything on your monitor, including your taskbar, other windows, and any notifications that pop up. If you choose a single tab, they'll only see that one browser window, and the rest of your screen stays private.
Choosing between your full screen or a single browser tab
When you click the screen share button, a small menu appears asking you to pick what to share. The menu shows "Screen" (your entire monitor) and a list of your open browser tabs. Each tab shows a thumbnail of what's on it, so you can see which one you want before you select it.
Sharing your entire screen is useful if you're showing someone files on your desktop, opening multiple programs, or switching between different windows during the call. Sharing a single tab is better if you want to keep other things private — your email, your other browser tabs, or anything else on your desktop stays hidden. You can switch between full screen and a specific tab at any time during the call by clicking the screen share button again and picking something different.
Browser compatibility and quality limits
Not all browsers handle screen sharing the same way on Discord's website. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all support it fully and work reliably. Safari, which comes built into Mac computers, has limited support — screen sharing may not work at all, or it may work only sometimes depending on your Mac's settings and Safari version.
The website version of Discord also has lower quality limits than the downloaded app. Your screen share will stream at 720p resolution (1280 by 720 pixels) at 30 frames per second. This is fine for showing documents, spreadsheets, or websites, but if you're sharing a video game or something with fast motion, it may look choppy or blurry. The Discord app you read to your computer can go up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, which is noticeably sharper and smoother.
What other people see and what they can control
When you share your screen, everyone in the call can see it at the same size and quality you're sending. They cannot control your mouse or keyboard, zoom in on parts of your screen, or record what you're sharing — only you can do those things. If you want someone else to control your computer, you'd need to use a different tool like Windows Remote Desktop or TeamViewer, not Discord's screen share.
People in the call can see your screen share in a large window, and they can still see your video feed (if you have your camera on) in a smaller window at the corner. If multiple people are sharing their screens at the same time, Discord shows them in a grid, similar to how it shows multiple video feeds in a group call.
Stopping your screen share and troubleshooting common problems
To stop sharing your screen, click the screen share button again (it will be highlighted or a different color while you're actively sharing), and select "Stop Sharing" from the menu. Your screen will disappear from the call, but you'll stay in the voice or video call with the other person or people.
If the screen share button doesn't appear or doesn't work, first check that you're actually in a voice or video call — screen sharing only works during active calls, not in text channels. If you're in a call and the button still isn't there, try refreshing your browser page. If you're using Safari and screen sharing doesn't work at all, try switching to Chrome or Firefox instead. If the screen share starts but looks very blurry or laggy, check your internet connection — a slow connection can reduce quality automatically.
Privacy and security when sharing your screen
When you share your screen, remember that everyone in the call can see everything on it, including notifications, browser history, and anything else that appears. Close sensitive tabs or windows before you start sharing, or use the single-tab option to show only what you want. If you're sharing financial information, passwords, or personal details, make sure you trust everyone in the call.
Discord does not record screen shares by default, but individual people in the call can use third-party tools to record what they see. If you're sharing sensitive information, ask the other people in the call whether they're recording, and consider using a private call with only people you trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my screen on Discord's website if I'm on a phone or tablet?
No. Screen sharing on Discord's website only works on computers with a full browser. The Discord app for phones and tablets does not support screen sharing at all, even though the downloaded Discord app for Windows and Mac does.
What if my screen share keeps disconnecting or freezing?
This usually means your internet connection is unstable or too slow. Try closing other programs that use the internet, moving closer to your router, or restarting your browser. If it keeps happening, the downloaded Discord app may work better than the website version.
Can people in the call see my cursor when I'm sharing my screen?
Yes, they can see your mouse cursor move around as you click and type. If you want to point something out without moving your actual cursor, you can use Discord's built-in pointer tool — look for a small icon in the screen share controls that lets you draw or highlight on the shared screen.
Is there a limit to how many people can watch my screen share?
No hard limit exists, but screen sharing uses more bandwidth the more people are watching. If you're sharing with a very large group and the quality gets bad, try lowering your screen resolution or closing other programs to free up internet speed.
Can I share my screen and my camera at the same time?
Yes. You can have your camera on while you share your screen, and both will show in the call — your screen in the main window and your video feed in a smaller corner window. This is useful if you want people to see your face while you're explaining something on your screen.