To screen share on Instagram, start a video call, tap Share screen at the bottom, tap Screen Share, then tap Start Broadcast. Everyone in the call, up to 8 people, then sees whatever is on your phone until you tap Stop Broadcast.
The catch Instagram spells out: everything on your screen, including notifications, is visible to everyone in the call. A message preview that pops up mid-share is shown to the whole group.
Below are the steps on a phone and a computer, how to stop, the difference between screen sharing and watching reels together, and a short checklist before you share. Everything here comes from Instagram's Help Center, read in October 2026.
How to screen share on Instagram, step by step
- Open Messages, go into a chat and tap Video in the top right to start a video call.
- Tap Share screen at the bottom.
- Tap Screen Share.
- Tap Start Broadcast.
- Carry on using your phone. You can tap Small frame to shrink the call while you use Instagram, or go to your home screen and open another app.
Instagram describes screen sharing as a video call feature, so start a video call rather than an audio call if you plan to share.
How to stop screen sharing
You've got two ways out:
- Tap Stop Broadcast.
- Or tap the red icon that may appear in the top left of your screen while you're sharing, then tap Stop.
Stopping the share doesn't end the call. Everyone stays connected, and you can keep talking or share again. When you're done with the call itself, tap End call.
Screen sharing on a computer
On the desktop site the steps are shorter:
- Start a video call.
- Click Share screen at the bottom.
- Select what you'd like to share, then click Share.
- Click Stop sharing when you're finished.
Instagram's warning is stronger here: if you choose to share your entire screen, everything on it, including notifications, is visible to everyone in the call. Sharing a single window instead of the whole screen is the safer habit.
Screen share vs Watch: which one you want
The Share screen button opens two different things, and they suit different jobs.
| Option | What others see | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Share | Everything on your screen, including notifications | Walking someone through an app, a document or a setting |
| Watch | Only the post or reel you pick, in a media player | Watching reels or browsing posts together |
To watch together, tap Share screen during a call, then tap Watch. From there you can pick from Suggested posts, posts you've Liked, posts you've Saved, or Reels. Tap Remove in the top right of the media player to stop.
You can also send content into the call from your chat, so if a friend has just sent you a reel, you don't have to hunt for it again. One handy detail from Instagram: changing the volume or muting what you're watching only affects your device, not everyone else's. Instagram also says watching together works in audio or video calls from the Android and iPhone apps.
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Who you can call and share with
Instagram says anyone you've accepted a message from can start an audio or video call with you, and calls can include up to 8 people. If someone keeps calling and you don't want them to, blocking them stops it.
Instagram is also gradually introducing an option to set WhatsApp as your preferred calling method. If the person you're calling has switched it on, you'll see Call on WhatsApp, and choosing it moves the call to WhatsApp, where the features may be different. If screen sharing is the point of the call, stay on Instagram.
Before you share: a quick checklist
- Turn on Do Not Disturb or Focus on your phone, so message previews don't pop up mid-share.
- Close apps and tabs you don't want people to see.
- On a computer, share one window rather than the whole screen.
- Remember the red icon: if you see it, you're still sharing.
It's also worth thinking about what's on screen before you start, not only what might pop up. Your photo gallery, your email inbox and your banking app are the usual culprits when someone opens the wrong app mid-share. I'd treat that first step as non-negotiable for any call with a client or colleague. Instagram is clear that notifications are visible, and that's exactly where a private message or a bank alert would show up.
If the Share screen button isn't there
- Check you're in a video call, not an audio call.
- Update the Instagram app, then start the video call again.
- If the call opened in WhatsApp because the other person prefers WhatsApp calls, the Instagram button won't appear there.
- Try a phone or computer if you're on another device; Instagram's sharing steps cover Android, iPhone and the desktop site.
My take
Screen sharing turns an Instagram video call into a quick support session: showing a friend a setting, reviewing a post draft with a collaborator, or talking a client through their insights. For anything long or formal, a dedicated meeting tool is better. For a five-minute show-and-tell with someone already in your DMs, it's the fastest way. If you mostly use Instagram for client conversations, my guide to sending a professional Instagram DM pairs well with this, and if you share a lot on Apple devices, compare it with screen sharing on FaceTime.
Frequently asked questions
Can you screen share on Instagram?
Yes. During a video call on Instagram, tap Share screen at the bottom, tap Screen Share, then tap Start Broadcast. On a computer, click Share screen, select what to share and click Share.
How many people can see my screen share on Instagram?
Everyone in the video call. Instagram says video calls can include up to 8 people.
Can people see my notifications when I screen share on Instagram?
Yes. Instagram says everything on your screen, including notifications, will be visible to everyone in your video call when you share your screen.
Does stopping screen share end the Instagram call?
No. Instagram says your video call will not end when you stop sharing your screen.
How do I watch reels together on an Instagram call?
Tap Share screen during the call, then tap Watch, and choose from Suggested, Liked, Saved or Reels. Tap Remove in the media player to stop.
