Meta has announced a new WhatsApp feature that lets users share their screens during video conversations. The functionality is cross-platform compatible, allowing users to effortlessly provide a live view of their screen to one or more others on a call.
WhatsApp’s press release states, “Whether sharing documents for work, browsing photos with family, planning a vacation, shopping online with friends, or just keeping up with grandparents with tech support,” Want to help? Screen sharing lets you share a live view of your screen during a call.”
How Does Share Screen on WhatsApp Calls Work
At the moment, the WhatsApp screen-sharing function is still in beta and accessible only to Android phone users. This unpublished feature on WhatsApp is available for beta testers in beta version 2.23.11.19. Here’s how WhatsApp’s screen-sharing functionality will work:
- Use WhatsApp to make video calls.
- The latest WhatsApp version will have a new option on the bottom menu.
- To enable screen sharing, click the symbol next to the camera switch option.
- WhatsApp displays a pop-up window informing you that your phone has been cast.
- To start screen sharing with the other person, click Start Now.
- The message ‘You are sharing your screen’ will appear, indicating that the screen share has started.
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WhatsApp gives you complete control over the feature, and you can stop recording at any time. Before proceeding with screen sharing, WhatsApp will request permission. WhatsApp also advises that when recording or casting is enabled, it will have access to any information visible on your screen. As per the platform, when the Screen Sharing option is enabled, the messaging app has access to information like passwords, pictures, conversations, and even payment data.
How Do I Share Screens
To share your screen during WhatsApp video calls, follow these steps:
Step 1: To access screen sharing, tap the Share icon in the video controls. Your phone will display a notification that you are about to start recording or casting using WhatsApp.
Step 2:To start screen sharing, tap Start now.
Step 3: To stop sharing your screen, tap Stop Sharing.
What You Should Know About WhatsApp Screen Sharing
Before you begin to use WhatsApp’s screen-sharing function, there are a few things you should know.
- WhatsApp screen sharing is only available during video conversations, including group video calls. During voice-only calls, the option will not be available.
- When you share your screen, WhatsApp will only show the on-screen content of your phone. Any audio from the app is not relayed over the call.
- You may start a WhatsApp screen-sharing session regardless of whether the other participant has an Android or an iPhone.
- Anyone on a group video conference may initiate a screen-sharing session. However, only one person may share their screen at any one moment.
- When you start a screen-sharing session, the camera on your smartphone remains active.
- WhatsApp encrypts screen-sharing material, as it does messages and calls, for further protection and security.
- In landscape mode, you may spin your phone to change the layout for screen sharing. Enable the auto-rotation feature on your phone as well. Follow GB WhatsApp for more!