What "Share System Audio" actually does
Share System Audio is a setting that lets other people in a video call hear the sound coming from your computer — music, videos, notifications, anything playing through your speakers. It does not show them your screen, your files, or anything visual. It only sends sound.
This matters because many people assume that if they turn on audio sharing, they are also sharing what is on their screen. They are not. These are two completely separate things that you control independently.
Key Takeaways
- Share System Audio sends only sound from your computer to the call — not your screen, files, or anything visual.
- You must turn on screen sharing separately if you want people to see what is on your monitor.
- Turning on Share System Audio without screen sharing means people hear your audio but see only your face or a blank screen, depending on your video call app.
- Common reasons to use Share System Audio alone: playing music during a call, letting people hear a video you are watching, or sharing a podcast or audio file.
When you would use Share System Audio without screen sharing
You might turn on Share System Audio if you are playing music in the background during a call and want everyone to hear the same song at the same time. Or you are watching a video on YouTube and want to discuss it with someone — they hear the audio but do not need to see your browser window.
Another common case: you are on a call with someone and want to play them an audio file — a voice memo, a podcast clip, or a song. Share System Audio lets them hear it clearly without you having to hold your phone up to the speaker or play it separately on their end.
How screen sharing and audio sharing work separately
Most video call apps — Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Discord — treat screen sharing and audio sharing as two independent switches. You can turn one on without the other.
If you turn on Share System Audio but not screen sharing, the other people see your face (if your camera is on) or a blank screen (if your camera is off). They hear whatever sound is playing on your computer. If you turn on screen sharing but not Share System Audio, they see your screen but do not hear the audio from your computer — only your voice through the microphone.
Why this distinction matters for privacy and focus
Keeping these separate gives you control. You might want to share audio from a song or video without showing your desktop, which could reveal open tabs, file names, notifications, or other things you do not want people to see. Sharing audio alone is safer if you are concerned about what else might be visible on your screen.
The reverse is also useful: you might want to show your screen — a document, a presentation, a website — but not share the system audio, because background notifications, ads, or other sounds would distract from what you are explaining.
How to turn on Share System Audio in common apps
In Zoom, during a call, click "Share Screen." In the window that opens, check the box that says "Share computer sound" at the bottom. You can share sound without sharing your screen by unchecking the screen option but leaving the sound box checked — though Zoom's interface makes this less obvious.
In Google Meet, click "Share Your Screen," then choose what to share. The audio option appears as a checkbox labeled "Share system audio" in the same menu. You can check it independently of which screen or window you choose to share.
In Microsoft Teams, click "Share" during a call, then select what to share. A checkbox for "Include system audio" appears below your screen selection. In Discord, the "Go Live" feature includes a toggle for "Stream System Audio" that works separately from what you are streaming visually.
What can go wrong if you do not understand the difference
The most common mistake is turning on Share System Audio, assuming your screen is also being shared, and then having a conversation about something on your screen that the other person cannot see. They hear the audio but are confused because they cannot see what you are referring to.
Another risk: you turn on Share System Audio intending to share only a song or video, but you forget that your notifications are on. The other people hear your email alerts, Slack pings, or text message sounds playing in the background, which can feel intrusive or reveal that you are distracted.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I share my screen, do people automatically hear my computer audio?
No. Screen sharing and audio sharing are separate. You must turn on Share System Audio as a separate step. Many people share their screen and forget to enable audio, then wonder why the other person cannot hear the video or music they are showing.
Can I share audio from just one app, not my whole computer?
It depends on the app. Zoom and Google Meet share all system audio — everything playing on your computer. Some apps like Discord let you choose a specific process. If you need to share audio from only one source, check your app's settings or consider using a separate audio file instead.
Will people hear my notifications if I turn on Share System Audio?
Yes, they will hear any sound your computer makes — notifications, alerts, background music, everything. If you want to avoid this, mute your system notifications before turning on Share System Audio, or turn off the setting when you are not actively playing something you want to share.
What if I accidentally share my screen when I only meant to share audio?
Stop the screen share when ready by clicking "Stop Sharing" in your call app. The audio sharing will continue if you leave that setting on. Check what is visible on your screen before you start sharing anything, and close sensitive tabs or windows first.
Does Share System Audio use more internet bandwidth?
Slightly, but not much. Audio takes far less bandwidth than video or screen sharing. If your internet connection is slow, audio sharing is one of the least demanding options available during a call.