The capability of screen sharing has evolved into a need in every video conferencing programme at a time when working from home has taken centre stage. Given how crucial this function is for teamwork and presentations, the majority of video conferencing platforms, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, have long supported it. Better late than never: screen sharing and seamlessSharePlay capabilities have been added to Apple’s FaceTime video chatting service, allowing you to view movies, TV shows, and listen to music with friends. In order to improve collaboration, you can now use FaceTime on a Mac to share your screen. Let me now demonstrate how screen sharing functions in FaceTime on macOS Monterey.
Share Screen Using FaceTime on Mac (December 2021)
Before using this useful new FaceTime feature, be sure to review the prerequisites to avoid hardware or software incompatibility.
How Does Screen Sharing Work in FaceTime on Mac & What Are the Requirements?
FaceTime on macOS Monterey operates much identically to how it does on iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. In order to share your screen with other callers during a FaceTime connection, you must first click the screen-sharing icon.
The necessary operating systems for your Apple devices are macOS 12.1, iOS 15.1, and iPadOS 15.1. It’s important to note that, in addition to the host, all participants’ devices must have the supported operating systems.
Can You Use FaceTime Share Screen with Android or Windows Users?
Sadly, you cannot utilise FaceTime to share your screen with Windows or Android users. Call it Apple’s tried-and-true trick to keep desirable features hidden from non-Apple device users or a plan to convince them to switch. Even if Apple FaceTime is now available for Windows and Android smartphones, you still have to deal with this unpleasant truth, for better or worse.
On Android and Windows smartphones, Facetime functionality is somewhat constrained. More specifically, users of non-Apple devices are only permitted to join a FaceTime call (audio/video) via a link. Do not attempt to create a FaceTime call link. Not even any screen-sharing or SharePlay-enabled calls are open to them. What if the owner of the non-Apple device is a loved one or close friend? Would they not feel excluded from your movie night or the thrilling SharePlay-powered online viewing party? Certainly they would.
It might have been preferable to use a lightweight FaceTime web app with all the essential functionality. In addition to providing a fantastic user experience, it would have supported Apple’s efforts to position its video-calling software as a compelling alternative to Zoom or Google Meet. FaceTime appears to be more distant than ever before, in contrast to how the rest of the globe prioritises connecting people during the pandemic. Apple should pay attention to user criticism and address the issue as quickly as possible.
Enable and Use Screen Sharing in FaceTime on macOS Monterey
1. Open the FaceTime application on your Mac to begin.
2. Next, select “New FaceTime” and enter the contact’s information if you want to share your screen. Then press the FaceTime button to start a video call. You can also choose a recent contact to call as an alternative.
3. Click the SharePlayicon on the FaceTime controls overlay once the call has connected. Between the video and end call buttons is the SharePlay icon.
4. The FaceTime menu bar drop-down menu now offers you two choices.
- Window: Select it to share a specific window or an app with others in the FaceTime call.
- Screen: Choose it to share your entire Mac screen with the users in the FaceTime call.
5. Select the appropriate choice from the drop-down menu under the Choose Window or Screen to Share option, then you’re ready to go. If you select the Window option, you will have to pick a particular window among the running apps.
Please be aware that you can be asked to approve broadcasting your screen by clicking the Share This Window/Share This Screenoptions, as seen in the screenshot above.
How to Change Shared Window in FaceTime on Mac
Notably, FaceTime makes it simple to alter the shared window. Simply move the mouse pointer over the shared window’s thumbnail in the FaceTime menu bar. Next, select Change Shared Window from the list of currently shared windows. Click the window you want to share after that.
How to Stop Sharing Window or Screen in FaceTime on Mac
To stop sharing your screen in FaceTime on macOS Monterey, it’s fairly easy. You only need to click the Stop Sharing Window/ Screen button in the FaceTime drop-down menu bar to complete the task.
Learn How to Use Screen Share in FaceTime on Mac
This completes our tutorial on how to use FaceTime’s screen sharing functionality on macOS Monterey. FaceTime has always been feature-rich and user-friendly, but the addition of a native screen-sharing tool has increased the functionality of Apple’s video chatting programme. My only complaint is that Apple will only make this entertaining new function available to owners of Apple devices, cutting Android and Windows users out of the fun. What do you think of the updated Facetime app’s screen-sharing function? Please share your opinions with me in the space provided below.