TL;DR
To do screen sharing on a Mac:
- Open Spotlight on the other Mac using Command ⌘ + Space.
- Enter your Apple ID in the pop-up window.
- On your original Mac, click the Screen Sharing notification.
- Click Options, then Accept to start sharing.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Many people struggle with finding the best way to share their Mac’s screen during meetings or while helping someone troubleshoot. After testing different options, I found a few that make screen sharing effortless.
How to Activate Screen Sharing on a Mac
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Setting up Mac-to-Mac screen sharing requires a few steps on both Macs, but the process is quick and straightforward. Let’s walk through the simple steps to activate screen sharing on your Mac:
When using screen-sharing apps, be mindful of any sensitive data visible on your screen. Close unnecessary apps and windows before sharing to avoid exposing private information.
- Click the Apple logo and select System Settings.
- Click General and select Sharing.
- In the right pane, toggle on the Screen Sharing option to make your Mac discoverable to other devices.
- You may be asked to enter your username and password.
- Click the small i button next to Screen Sharing.
- A new window will appear. You can allow all users to access or limit it to specific users within your network.
- If you wish to grant access to VNC users possessing your session password, click the Computer Settings button.
- To let other Macs to join your screen-sharing session, you must activate it. The joining Mac should know your computer’s name and network address. You can find this information under the Screen Sharing: On label.
- The name might appear as XYZ’s MacBook Pro, and the address will be in the format vnc://[IPAddress].
- Once you’ve gathered this information, forward it to the user wanting remote access, and the rest of the process is straightforward.
For smoother screen sharing, use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi when possible. It really cuts down on lag and disconnections.
4 Best Ways to Screenshare on a Mac
Here, I’ll break down the top four methods share screen on a Mac. So, let’s dive in!
1. Use the Native Screen Sharing App
macOS has a built-in screen-sharing tool, simply named Screen Sharing. It’s user-friendly and straightforward to use as long as you have your Apple ID email. To use the Screen Sharing app, follow these steps:
For a smooth experience, ensure both devices have a stable internet connection. A weak connection might result in no screen sharing or a laggy display.
- On the desired Mac, open Spotlight using Command ⌘ + Space, type Screen Sharing, and press Enter.
- Enter your Apple ID in the pop-up window.
- Go back to your original Mac. You’ll see a Screen Sharing notification.
- Click Options and then Accept.
2. Screen Share During a FaceTime Call
Note: This method only works on macOS Monterey and later versions.
Here’s how to screen share during a FaceTime call:
- Initiate a FaceTime call.
- Hover to the menu bar and click the FaceTime icon.
- Click the SharePlay symbol (a screen with a figure in its top right).
- Decide whether to share a particular window or your full screen.
- Once chosen, the individual on the other end will see your screen’s content.
3. Screen Share via Third-Party Apps
If you’re looking for a reliable way to share your Mac’s screen with others, third-party apps like Zoom offer an excellent solution. Here’s how you can quickly share your screen on Mac using Zoom:
Remember, these apps require permission to display your screen.
- Open the Zoom app and either start or join a meeting.
- In the meeting toolbar at the bottom of the Zoom window, click the green Share Screen button.
- A pop-up window will appear showing all available screens and open applications. Choose whether you want to share your entire screen or a specific window.
- If you want to share your computer’s sound along with the screen, check the Share Sound option in the bottom-left corner of the window.
- After selecting your screen or application, click the blue Share button at the bottom-right corner.
- Once sharing, you can control what others see by using the toolbar that appears at the top of the screen. You can pause sharing, switch between screens, or stop sharing when you’re done.
4. Share Your Mac’s Screen With AirPlay
Using the integrated AirPlay function, you can reflect your Mac’s display onto an AirPlay-ready Smart TV, iPad, or another Mac on the same Wi-Fi network. Here’s how:
- Access the Control Center via the menu bar.
- Click Screen Mirroring and choose the desired device from the dropdown.
- Choose Mirror Built-in Display to project your screen onto the selected device.
Additionally, recent Mac models can serve as AirPlay recipients. This means you can stream videos from your iPhone or iPad directly to your Mac.
Be a Pro at Screen Sharing on a Mac
Screen sharing is now essential for communication and collaboration, making it easy to connect, present, and interact in real-time, whether for casual chats or professional meetings. Here are some more tips for you:
- One of the easiest ways to screen share is via AirPlay from a Mac to TV to enjoy content on a big screen.
- You can also Chromecast from a Mac to any display and watch your favorite content wherever you want.
- Check out this list of all AirPlay compatible TVs to see if your TV is compatible with AirPlay.
