To share your screen on WhatsApp, start a video call, open the More options (three dots) in the call controls and tap Share screen. You can share one app or your entire screen, then tap Stop sharing to end it. Screen sharing only works on video calls, not voice calls, and the other person sees everything on screen, including passwords.
Screen sharing on WhatsApp is perfect for walking a parent through a phone setting, showing a client a design, or reviewing a document together without sending files back and forth. It's built into video calls, so there's nothing to install. The main things to know are that it doesn't work on voice calls, and that whatever's on your screen goes to the other person, notifications included.
Steps to share your screen on a phone
- Start a video call with the person or group.
- Tap the screen to show the call controls if they're hidden.
- Tap More options (the three dots).
- Tap Share screen.
- On Android, choose Share one app (then Next and pick the app) or Share entire screen, and tap Share screen.
- When you're done, tap Stop sharing.
On an iPhone the start is the same: open the More options menu in the video call and choose Share screen, then confirm when your phone asks. iOS shows its own prompt before any app can broadcast your screen.
Share your screen on the WhatsApp desktop app
On a computer, the video call controls include a Screen sharing button. Click it, choose the window or screen you want to show, and click it again to stop. If it fails, WhatsApp's video call help says to check that the app has camera and microphone access and that no other app is holding them.
One app or the whole screen?
| Option | What they see | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Share one app | Only the app you pick | Showing a single document or setting safely |
| Share entire screen | Everything, including notifications | Moving between several apps during a demo |
If you have the choice, share one app. It's the simplest way to stop a private message notification popping up in front of a client.
Why the Share screen option isn't showing
- You're on a voice call. WhatsApp says screen sharing isn't available during audio calls. Switch on video first.
- Your WhatsApp is out of date. Update from your app store and restart the call.
- Desktop permissions. On a computer, the app needs camera and microphone access, and no other app should be using them.
- Your phone blocked the recording prompt. Phones ask for permission before an app can capture the screen. If you tapped no, start sharing again and allow it.
Privacy: what you're really sharing
WhatsApp's help puts this plainly: anything visible on your screen, including usernames and passwords, can be seen by the people you're sharing with. That includes banking apps, notification previews and any photo you scroll past. WhatsApp also says screen sharing is end-to-end encrypted and isn't recorded by WhatsApp, but the person on the other end can still take their own screenshot or photo.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb before you start, so message previews don't appear.
- Close apps you don't want seen, especially banking and email.
- Share one app rather than the whole screen when you can.
- Stop sharing as soon as you've finished, before you go back to your home screen.
Helping someone else share their screen
Most screen shares I hear about are the other way round: you want to see someone else's phone so you can talk them through a fix. Because the person sharing has to start it, it helps to give clear, short instructions:
- Ask them to video call you on WhatsApp, rather than voice call.
- Tell them to tap the screen once so the buttons appear.
- Ask them to tap the three dots, then Share screen, and allow the phone's prompt.
- Once you can see their screen, guide them one tap at a time and ask them to read out what they see.
- Remind them to tap Stop sharing when you've finished.
Ask them to turn on Do Not Disturb first as well. It saves everyone the awkward moment when a private message pops up in the middle of the call, and it keeps their attention on your instructions rather than on incoming chats.
Group calls and call links
Screen sharing works in group video calls too. And if you create a WhatsApp call link to invite people, WhatsApp says guests who join through the link can also share their screens. That's handy for quick team calls, but remember any guest can share, so only send call links to people you trust.
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If your video call itself won't connect, that's a different problem: my guide to WhatsApp lagging or hanging covers speed and app fixes, and if you'd rather send a recording than share live, see sending a video on WhatsApp.
My verdict
Start a video call, tap the three dots, choose Share screen, and pick one app rather than your whole screen. Switch on Do Not Disturb first. It's the easiest free screen share there is for helping family or reviewing work with a client, as long as you remember they see everything you show, from the first tap to the moment you stop.
Frequently asked questions
How do I share my screen on WhatsApp?
During a video call, tap More options (three dots), then Share screen. Choose one app or the entire screen, then tap Stop sharing when you're done.
Can I share my screen on a WhatsApp voice call?
No. WhatsApp says screen sharing isn't available during audio calls.
Is WhatsApp screen sharing private?
WhatsApp says it's end-to-end encrypted and not recorded by WhatsApp, but the other person sees everything on your screen, including passwords.
Can I share my screen on WhatsApp desktop?
Yes. The desktop video call controls include a screen sharing button.
Can guests share their screen on a WhatsApp call link?
Yes. WhatsApp says guests who join through a call link can also share their screens.
