How to share screen on FaceTime on Mac
FaceTime on Mac does not have traditional screen sharing, but you can share your screen using SharePlay, QuickTime Player, or Messages. 1. Use SharePlay for live sharing: Start a FaceTime call, click the SharePlay icon, choose "Share My Screen," and select your screen or a window—both users must have macOS 12 or later and be signed in with Apple ID. 2. Use QuickTime Player to record your screen: Open QuickTime, go to File > New Screen Recording, record your screen, and play it during the call—this is not live streaming but useful for demos. 3. Use Messages for screen sharing: Open a Messages conversation, tap the Details (i) icon, and select "Share Screen" to start a remote assistance session—this does not occur within FaceTime. The best option is SharePlay if system requirements are met; otherwise, QuickTime or Messages are effective alternatives. Always ensure your Mac is updated to support these features.
Sharing your screen during a FaceTime call on Mac is simple, but it’s important to know that FaceTime doesn’t have a built-in screen sharing feature like Zoom or FaceTime on iPhone with SharePlay. However, you can still share your screen using macOS’s native Screen Sharing or QuickTime Player as a workaround. Here’s how:

✅ Option 1: Use SharePlay (Recommended for Live Sharing)
Apple introduced SharePlay in FaceTime, which allows you to share your screen during a FaceTime call — but only certain apps and content (like videos, music, or your screen in supported scenarios).
Steps to share your screen via SharePlay:

- Start a FaceTime call (audio or video).
- Once in the call, click the SharePlay icon (it looks like a rectangle with a person inside, or a play button) in the call controls.
- Choose "Share My Screen" from the menu.
- A window will pop up asking you to select what you want to share:
- Entire screen
- A specific window
- Click Share.
- Your screen will now be visible to the other person in the call.
? Note: Both you and the recipient must be using macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, and be signed in with Apple ID. SharePlay works best when sharing media or specific apps — full desktop sharing is limited.
✅ Option 2: Use QuickTime Player (For Recording or Mirroring)
If you want to show your screen and have more control, use QuickTime Player to capture or mirror your screen during the call.

Steps:
- Open QuickTime Player (found in Applications).
- Go to File > New Screen Recording.
- Click the red Record button.
- Choose to record:
- The entire screen
- A selected portion
- Start your screen recording.
- During the FaceTime call, switch to the recorded window or play back the recording while on camera.
This method doesn’t stream live to FaceTime directly, but you can use it to record a demo and share it afterward or show content side-by-side.
✅ Option 3: Use Messages with Screen Sharing (Alternative)
If you’re trying to help someone, you can use Messages Screen Sharing:
- Open Messages and start a conversation with the person.
- Click the Details (i) icon.
- Choose "Share Screen".
- This will launch a screen-sharing session using macOS’s built-in screen sharing tool — no FaceTime needed.
This is more for remote assistance and works best for one-on-one support.
Summary
Method | Live Sharing? | Built into FaceTime? | Requirements |
---|---|---|---|
SharePlay | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | macOS 12 , Apple ID, both parties on compatible devices |
QuickTime | ❌ (Record only) | ❌ No | Any macOS version |
Messages Share Screen | ✅ Yes | ❌ (Not in FaceTime) | macOS with Messages |
So, while FaceTime on Mac doesn’t offer full traditional screen sharing, SharePlay is the closest and easiest option for live screen sharing during a call — just make sure your system is up to date.
Basically, if you're on a recent Mac and up-to-date OS, use SharePlay. Otherwise, QuickTime or Messages are solid backups.
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