Screen Sharing on a Mac: 5 Best Ways to Do It

Ever wanted to instantly show someone what’s on your Mac screen, no matter where they are? Screen sharing is a game-changer. It lets you work together on projects, fix problems from afar, and show off presentations.

Dive into this guide as I unveil the top methods for screen sharing on a Mac. From built-in macOS utilities to third-party applications, let’s explore the seamless world of screen sharing on a Mac. Whether you’re a tech guru or just starting out, I’ve got you covered.

Why Would You Need to Screen Share on Mac?

Screen sharing on a Mac can be incredibly useful for various reasons. Some of these reasons are as follows:

1. 🤝 Collaboration: Whether you’re working on a team project, brainstorming ideas, or editing a document together, screen sharing allows multiple people to view and discuss the same content in real time.
2. 🔧 Technical Support: If you’re facing technical issues on your Mac, you can share your screen with IT professionals or tech-savvy friends to diagnose and resolve problems without them being physically present.
3. 🎓 Education and Training: Tutors, teachers, and trainers can share their screens to provide visual explanations, conduct webinars, or guide students through specific software or online resources.
4. 📊 Presentations: Business professionals can share slides, charts, and other visual aids during virtual meetings or webinars, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
5. 🏠 Remote Work: For those working from home or in different locations, screen sharing can simulate the experience of working side-by-side with colleagues.
6. 🎬 Entertainment: Want to show a friend a funny video or share vacation photos? Screen sharing can be fun to share personal content with loved ones.
7. 💻 Software Demos: Developers or sales teams can provide live demonstrations of software or products to potential clients or users.
8. ✍️ Review and Feedback: Designers, writers, and other creatives can share their work with clients or team members to receive immediate feedback.

In essence, screen sharing on a Mac enhances communication, fosters collaboration, and facilitates a more interactive digital experience.

How to Activate Screen Sharing on a Mac

Mac’s built-in screen-sharing feature is a powerful tool, but how do you get started? 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:

1. Click the Apple logo and select System Settings.

2. Click General and select Sharing.

3. In the right pane, toggle on the Screen Sharing option to make your Mac discoverable to other devices.

4. You may be asked to enter your username and password.

5. Click the small i button next to Screen Sharing.

6. A new window will appear. You can allow all users to access or limit it to specific users within your network.

7. If you wish to grant access to VNC users possessing your session password, click the Computer Settings button.

8. 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.
9. The name might appear as XYZ’s MacBook Pro, and the address will be in the format vnc://[IPAddress].

10. Once you’ve gathered this information, forward it to the user wanting remote access, and the rest of the process is straightforward.

5 Best Ways to Screenshare on a Mac

Want to show what’s on your Mac screen to someone else? It’s easier than you think! Macs have some cool ways to let you share your screen, whether it’s for work, fun, or helping out a friend.

Here, I’ll break down the top five methods. 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 on the device you want to share with, follow these steps:

1. On the desired Mac, open Spotlight using Command ⌘ + Space, type Screen Sharing, and press Enter.

2. Enter your Apple ID in the pop-up window.

3. Go back to your original Mac. You’ll see a Screen Sharing notification.
4. Click Options and then Accept.

Voila! Your Mac’s screen will now show up as a window on the other Mac.

2. Screen Share During a FaceTime Call

FaceTime has long been a favorite for Apple users, offering a seamless way to connect face-to-face. But did you know it also packs a powerful screen-sharing feature? With Apple’s SharePlay in FaceTime, sharing your Mac’s screen with fellow Apple users is quick and easy.

Here’s how to screen share during a FaceTime call:

1. Initiate a FaceTime call.
2. Hover to the menu bar and click the FaceTime icon.

3. Click the SharePlay symbol (a screen with a figure in its top right).

4. Decide whether to share a particular window or your full screen.

5. Once chosen, the individual on the other end will see your screen’s content.

This approach doesn’t let the other participant control your Mac, but it’s hassle-free as it skips the need for hostnames or Apple IDs. Plus, SharePlay is perfect for movie nights with pals!

3. 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:

1. Access the Control Center via the menu bar.

2. Click Screen Mirroring and choose the desired device from the dropdown.

3. 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.

4. Use iMessage for Screen Sharing

The native Messages app on your Mac also offers a screen sharing feature for iMessage users. This method integrates with the Screen Sharing tool discussed earlier, but it uses your Apple ID, eliminating the need for a hostname.

Here’s how to use iMessage for screen sharing on Mac:

1. Launch Messages from the Dock.

2. Locate the contact you want to share your screen with and start a chat.

3. Navigate to the menu bar, click Conversation, and select Invite to Share My Screen.

4. Wait for their approval. Once they give the green light, a screen sharing icon will appear active on the menu bar.
5. From there, you can adjust your screen sharing settings as desired.

5. Screen Share via Third-Party Apps

Besides native apps, third-party applications can help you share your Mac’s screen. Many of these apps also offer web-based versions with similar functionalities. These apps often come with added features, cross-platform compatibility, and unique interfaces that cater to diverse needs.

Some top picks include the following:

1. Zoom: A widely-used video conferencing tool that offers robust screen sharing capabilities, ideal for both personal and professional use.
2. Slack: Primarily a team collaboration tool, Slack also provides screen sharing features, especially useful for internal team meetings.
3. Google Meet: Part of the Google ecosystem, this video conferencing tool allows users to easily share their screens during meetings.
4. Skype: A long-standing communication tool offering video calls and screen sharing, making it easy for users to share content in real-time.
5. TeamViewer: Known for remote access and support, TeamViewer also provides screen sharing features, allowing users to share and control screens remotely.
6. Discord: Originally designed for gamers, Discord has evolved into a comprehensive communication platform with voice, video, and screen sharing features.
7. GoToMeeting: A professional video conferencing tool with a focus on business meetings, offering seamless screen sharing capabilities.
8. Microsoft Teams: A collaboration tool by Microsoft, Teams offers chat, video conferencing, and screen sharing, making team communication more efficient.
9. Webex Meetings: A product by Cisco, Webex Meetings is a video conferencing tool that provides high-quality screen sharing for presentations and collaborations.
10. RingCentral Webinar: A tool designed for online presentations and meetings, offering seamless screen sharing capabilities.

Be a Pro at Screen Sharing on a Mac

The ability to share your screen has become more than just a feature—it’s a bridge to enhanced communication, collaboration, and connection. From casual chats to professional presentations, the tools at our disposal ensure distance no longer hinders our ability to interact and share in real-time.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions