Screen sharing is a useful feature to have when you want to guide a friend or family member through a tech support issue, but need to see their screen in action. A WhatsApp feature introduced in 2023 lets you share your screen directly from within the chat app. Here’s how it works.
How to Use Screen Sharing on WhatsApp for Android
Screen sharing on WhatsApp for Android can be activated only during an active video call. To enable screen sharing, you must ensure both users are on the latest version of WhatsApp.
Open WhatsApp on your phone and initiate a video call with your contact.
You will notice a screen-sharing icon on the navigation bar along the screen’s bottom edge. Placed second from left, the icon looks like a phone screen with an arrow pointing outwards.
Tap the screen-sharing icon.
You will now be prompted that WhatsApp will begin recording or casting video from your phone. The warning will further inform you that WhatsApp will have access to all information on the screen, including usernames and passwords. Tap the Start Now button to begin sharing your screen.
Swipe up and navigate your phone to display your home screen or any other app over screen sharing. WhatsApp will continue sharing your screen with the other person as long as the call is active. To stop screen-sharing on WhatsApp, head back to the call. Now tap the button that says Stop sharing and your call will return to a standard video call.
Screen sharing on WhatsApp using an iPhone follows a very similar process. The feature is only available once you’ve activated a video call with a contact. Once you are on a video call with a contact, tap the screen-sharing button on the bottom bar. The icon looks like a computer monitor with a person in the corner.
WhatsApp will warn you that all contents on your screen, including usernames and passwords, will be visible to your contact who can view your screen. To start the broadcast, tap the Start Broadcast button.
You can easily swipe up and move around your interface from here or enter other apps. The iPhone will continue broadcasting your display to your contacts over WhatsApp. To end the broadcast, tap the Stop Sharing button within the ongoing call by tapping the WhatsApp icon.
Looking for other ways to share your screen? Here’s how you can share your screen using Discord, or via Google Meet.