Productivity Hacks

How to Share a Screen on Zoom? [2025]

How to Share a Screen on Zoom? [2025]
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How to share a screen on Zoom has to be the most helpful thing you can learn to do when you have online meetings with others.

Because it lets you show your ideas in a much better way. You can show it through a slide show, or you can go through a paper with someone, or show them something happening on your screen right at that moment. Zoom screen sharing makes sure everyone can see and understand what you are talking about.

Zoom screen sharing is supported across all major computer operating systems, including;

  • Windows,
  • Mac,
  • Android and,
  • iPhone.

This means that it is very easy to connect and be part of a virtual meeting collaboration with others anywhere, using any device.

In this guide, I will walk you through the key things you need to know about how to share screen in a Zoom meeting on all platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS). From enabling screen-sharing mode to making sure screen-sharing is working well with no issues, I'll make sure you have a great screen-sharing experience.

Let's get started!

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How to Enable Screen Sharing on Zoom?

When you host a Zoom meeting, you can decide whether only you can share your screen or if participants can share theirs as well. By default, screen sharing is for only host and disabled for participants, but you can change this setting before or during a meeting.

Requirements to Enable Screen Sharing for Participants

Before participants can share their screen, you need:

  • The Zoom desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) or mobile app (Android, iOS).
  • The latest version of Zoom.
  • Screen sharing must be enabled in settings by an admin.

How to Enable Screen Sharing for Participants in Zoom Meetings?

Zoom allows hosts to control screen sharing during meetings. This guide explains how to enable screen sharing for participants on different devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, web, Android, and iOS.

How to Enable Screen Sharing on Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)?

Step 01: Open the Zoom desktop app.

Step 01: Open the Zoom desktop app. | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 02: Start or join a meeting as the host.

Step 02: Start or join a meeting as the host. | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 03: Click the upward arrow next to the Share Screen in the toolbar.

Step 03: Click the upward arrow next to the Share Screen in the toolbar. | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 04: Click Advanced Sharing Options (a pop-up window will appear).

a. Click Advanced Sharing Options
Step 04: Click Advanced Sharing Options (a pop-up window will appear). | how to share a screen on zoom

B. a pop-up window will appear
Step 04: Click Advanced Sharing Options (a pop-up window will appear). | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 05: Under Who can share, select "All Participants".

Step 05: Under Who can share, select All Participants. | how to share a screen on zoom

The host can control more sharing and additional options below:

  • How many participants can share at the same time?
    • One participant at a time: Only one person can share at once.
    • Multiple participants simultaneously: Many people can share their screens at the same time (works best with dual monitors).
  • Who can share?
    • Host-Only: Only the host/co-host can share their screen.
    • All Participants: Everyone in the meeting can share their screen.
  • Who can interrupt another person’s screen sharing?
    • Host-Only: Only the host/co-host can stop someone’s screen share and start their own.
    • All Participants: Anyone can stop someone else’s screen share and start their own.

Important notes

  • This change only applies to the current session. If you start a new meeting, Zoom will return to its default settings.
  • To change the default setting for all meetings, update the Settings page on the Zoom web portal.
  • You can also enable screen sharing by clicking Security in the toolbar and making sure Screen Share is checked.

How to Enable Screen Sharing on the Web Version of Zoom

Step 01: Start or join a Zoom meeting as the host.

Step 01: Start or join a Zoom meeting as the host. | How to Enable Screen Sharing on the Web Version of Zoom | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 02: Click the upward arrow next to the Share Screen.

Step 02: Click the upward arrow next to the Share Screen | How to Enable Screen Sharing on the Web Version of Zoom | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 03: Click Advanced Sharing Options.

Step 03: Click Advanced Sharing Options. | How to Enable Screen Sharing on the Web Version of Zoom | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 04: Under Who can share, select "All Participants".

Step 04: Under Who can share, select "All Participants". | How to Enable Screen Sharing on the Web Version of Zoom | how to share a screen on zoom

Important Notes

  • Changing the setting during a meeting only applies to that session.
  • To make the change permanent, update the settings in the Zoom web portal.

How to Enable Screen Sharing on Mobile (Android & iOS)

Step 01: Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.

Step 02: Start or join a meeting.

How to Enable Screen Sharing on Mobile (Android & iOS) | Start or join a meeting. |  how to share a screen on zoom

Step 03: Tap the screen to show meeting controls.

Step 03: Tap the screen to show meeting controls. |  how to share a screen on zoom

Step 04: Tap More

Step 04: Tap More | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 06:  Tap on "Host Tools"

Step 06:  Tap on "Host Tools" | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 05: Toggle Share Screen ON.

Step 05: Toggle Share Screen ON. | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 06: Tap Close to return to the meeting.

Step 06: Tap Close to return to the meeting. | how to share a screen on zoom

And there you have it! now you know how to enable screen sharing,

  • the desktop app (Windows, Linux, Mac)
  • the web, and,
  • the mobile devices.

Next, let's look at how to screen share on Zoom.

How to Screenshare on Zoom?

Before we begin this guide please understand that;

  • The host can enable or disable screen sharing for participants.
  • On Basic (free) accounts, only the host can share the screen by default.
  • In a webinar, only the host, co-hosts, and panellists can share.
  • For larger meetings and webinars, it is recommended to start the event first and then share the screen.

Requirements for Screen Sharing

To share your screen, you need:

  • Zoom Desktop Client (Windows/macOS/Linux)
  • Zoom Mobile App (Android/iOS)
  • Zoom Web App
  • A minimum required version of Zoom (keep your Zoom updated!)
  • For Linux users, if you are using Wayland, you can only share the entire desktop, not specific apps. To share apps, use Xorg.
  • On Android, you need version 10.0 or higher.

What Can You Share on Zoom?

Zoom allows users to share various types of content, such as:

  • Entire desktop or phone screen
  • Specific applications
  • A portion of the screen
  • A second camera (like a document camera)
  • A whiteboard
  • A locally stored video
  • Audio played from your device
  • Your iPhone/iPad screen

Now with the guidelines covered, let's get ready to share your screen! You can follow along with the guided screenshots.

How to Share Your Screen on Desktop (Windows/macOS)

Step 01: Click "Share Screen" in your meeting controls.

Step 01: Click "Share Screen" in your meeting controls. | how to share a screen on zoom

Step 02: Choose one of the following options:

Screens Tab:

  • Entire Screen: Share everything visible on your screen. This option is best for comprehensive demonstrations where you might switch between applications.
  • Application Windows: Select this to share just one open application window, keeping other parts of your screen private
The image displays the Zoom screen sharing selection interface, highlighting the "Screens" tab, which is selected and indicated by a purple arrow pointing at it. Options below include sharing the "Entire screen" or "Application windows", with previews shown for both. On the right, there are layout options and settings to share sound or optimize for video sharing.

Documents Tab:

  • Whiteboard or Docs: These options allow for interactive sessions or document reviews directly in Zoom.
  • Document Repositories: Share files directly from cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
The image shows the Zoom interface for selecting documents to share, with the "Documents" tab actively selected as indicated by a purple arrow pointing at it. Below are options to share content from Zoom itself, like "Whiteboard" and "Docs", or "Note", and from document repositories including "Microsoft OneDrive", "Google Drive", "Dropbox", and "Microsoft SharePoint". On the right, layout options and settings are available, including options to share sound and optimize for video sharing.

Advanced Tab:

This tab offers more specialized sharing options for specific needs:

The image displays the Zoom interface for selecting advanced sharing options, with the "Advanced" tab actively selected as indicated by a purple arrow pointing at it. The options available for sharing include "iPhone/iPad via AirPlay", "PowerPoint as background", "Computer audio", "Video file", "Portion of screen", and "Second camera". On the right side of the screen, layout options and settings for sharing sound and optimizing for video sharing are shown.
  • iPhone/iPad via AirPlay: Share the screen of your Apple device using AirPlay. This is useful for demonstrations from mobile apps or showing content that's on your mobile device.
  • PowerPoint as Background: Displays PowerPoint slides as a virtual background behind you, which can make presentations more immersive and visually engaging.
  • Portion of Screen: Allows you to share just a portion of your screen. This is helpful for focusing attention on a particular area and keeping other parts of your screen private.
  • Computer Audio: Share the audio playing on your computer. Ideal for playing music, videos, or sound files where audio is a crucial part of the shared content.
  • Video File: Directly share a video file from your computer, ensuring smooth playback and synchronization for all participants.

Step 03: Layout and Presentation Settings

The image shows the layout and options section of the Zoom screen sharing interface. A purple arrow points to the layout option that presents one main window with a smaller sidebar, indicating it's selected. Below are checkboxes for "Share sound" and "Optimize for video sharing", neither of which are currently checked. This interface allows the user to customize how they share their screen during a Zoom call.
  • Layout Options: Adjust how your shared screen appears to others:
    • Standard Layout: Displays your shared screen with your video thumbnail and others'.
    • Side-by-side Mode: Participants can view your shared screen next to a larger view of your video.
    • Floating Thumbnail: Enables a movable video thumbnail while sharing your screen.
  • Optional Settings
    • Share Sound: Tick this option if you want meeting participants to hear audio from your computer, useful during video playback or sound demonstrations.
    • Optimize for Video Clip: Check this box when sharing videos to ensure playback is smooth and high quality.

Step 05: Click "Share" to start sharing.

The image displays the Zoom screen sharing interface under the "Advanced" tab, where various specialized sharing options are available: "iPhone/iPad via AirPlay", "PowerPoint as background", "Computer audio", "Video file", "Portion of screen", and "Second camera". On the right side, layout options are shown along with settings to "Share sound" and "Optimize for video sharing". Below, the "Share" button is highlighted with a purple glow, indicating it's ready to be clicked to start sharing the selected option.

Important Tips:

  • You can pause the screen share anytime.
  • Use annotations to draw or write on the shared screen.
  • Hosts can control who shares and stop a participant’s screen share if needed.

Zoom Screen Sharing Controls

Once you start sharing, the meeting controls will move to a small menu bar that you can drag around your screen.

  • Mute/Unmute: Control your microphone.
  • Start/Stop Video: Turn your webcam on or off.
  • Security: Access security settings (e.g., prevent participants from sharing their screen).
  • Participants: See a list of people in the meeting.
  • Polling: Create and launch polls.
  • New Share: Change what you are sharing.
  • Pause Share: Freeze your screen while you work on something private.
  • Annotate: Draw or write on the screen.
  • Chat: Open the Zoom chat window.
  • Record: Start recording the meeting.
  • Breakout Rooms: Manage small group discussions.
  • Enable Annotation for Others: Let participants draw on your screen.
  • Live Streaming: Stream your Zoom meeting to Facebook, YouTube, or another platform.
  • End Meeting: Leave or end the meeting for everyone.

Special Features

  1. Show Zoom Window During Screen Share
    • By default, Zoom’s control panel disappears when you share your screen.
    • If you need it to stay visible:
      1. Go to Settings > Share Screen
      2. Enable "Show Zoom windows during screen share."
  2. Using Dual Monitors
    • If you have two screens, you can:
      • See your shared content on one screen.
      • See meeting participants on the other.
  3. macOS Security Settings
    • If you’re on macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer, you need to allow Zoom to record your screen:
      1. Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy
      2. Go to Privacy
      3. Click Screen Recording and check "zoom.us"

Ending Screen Sharing

  • Click Stop Share to stop sharing your screen.
  • Click End Meeting to leave or end the meeting for all.

How to Share Your Screen on Zoom Web

Step 1: Click "Share Screen" in Zoom

The image shows a Zoom meeting interface with a focus on the "Share" button, highlighted by a purple arrow pointing to it, indicating its functionality for sharing content during a meeting. The background of the interface features a black and white photo of a smiling woman. The bottom toolbar displays various controls including unmute, start video, participants, chat, reactions, share screen, security, and more.

Look for the "Share Screen" button in your Zoom meeting. It's usually found in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Click on it to start sharing.

Step 2: Choose What You Want to Share

After clicking "Share Screen," Zoom will ask you what part of your screen you want to share. You have three options:

The image displays a screen sharing selection interface from a web browser (Brave) for Zoom. Users are presented with three options for sharing: a specific browser tab ("Brave Tab"), a particular application window ("Window"), or the entire desktop ("Entire Screen"), with "Entire Screen" currently highlighted by a purple arrow. There's also a checkbox to "Also share system audio" at the bottom, allowing users to include the computer's audio output in the screen share. The options are presented in a dark mode theme, and the interface includes "Share" and "Cancel" buttons at the bottom.
  1. Browser tab – If you want to share a specific webpage, like a Google Docs file or a YouTube video.
  2. App window – If you want to share a program like PowerPoint, Word, or an Excel file.
  3. Entire desktop – If you want to share everything on your screen, including all open apps and browser tabs.

💡 Tip: If you’re using Chrome, Edge, or another browser, the way Zoom asks you to select the screen might look slightly different. Just follow the instructions you see.

Step 3: (Optional) Share Audio Too

The image shows the screen sharing selection interface for Zoom via a web browser, with options for sharing a "Brave Tab", "Window", or the "Entire Screen". The "Entire Screen" option is currently highlighted, surrounded by a purple outline. At the bottom left, there's a toggle for "Also share system audio," indicating that users can choose to share audio along with their screen. This feature is particularly useful when sharing videos or audio-rich content. A purple arrow is pointing towards the "Share" button, suggesting that the user is about to initiate the screen sharing.
  • If you want to share a video or anything with sound, turn on the "Also share tab audio" toggle at the bottom of the sharing window.

Step 4: Click "Share" to Start Sharing

The image illustrates the Zoom screen sharing interface via a web browser, displaying options for sharing the "Brave Tab", "Window", or the entire screen under the "Entire Screen" selection, which is highlighted by a purple outline. The toggle for "Also share system audio" is visible at the bottom left, allowing for the inclusion of system sounds in the sharing session. The "Share" button is highlighted and pointed to by a purple arrow, indicating readiness to proceed with sharing, with a "Cancel" button also available for aborting the action.

Once you’ve chosen what to share, click the "Share" button.

What Happens Next?

  • Your screen is now visible to others.
  • You will get a notification banner saying, "Participants can now see your shared screen."
  • Zoom checks if at least 80% of the devices in the meeting can see your screen before showing this message.

Step 5: Check What You’re Sharing (Optional)

The image illustrates a live screen sharing session on Zoom, where the shared content and the Zoom interface are visible. A notification at the top of the window states "You're screen sharing," highlighted with a green check mark. A dropdown arrow next to this text suggests options for viewing or managing the shared screen. The screenshot shows a recursive view of the screen share in progress, which is a common visual effect when sharing a screen displaying its own live session. Controls at the bottom include options to "Stop sharing" and a menu for additional actions. The user interface is displayed in a dark theme, enhancing visibility for the options and notifications.
  • Hover over "You are screen sharing" in the meeting controls.
  • Click the drop-down arrow to see what others see.
  • Click the up arrow to stop viewing the shared screen.

Important Notes & Troubleshooting Tips

Live Document Edits Might Not Appear

  • If you’re sharing an application like Word, others might not see live changes immediately.
  • Solution: Stop sharing and restart the share. Or, share your entire screen instead of just one app.

Windows 10 Users: Some Apps Might Not Show

  • If you have too many apps open, Zoom may not show all of them as shareable.
  • Solution: Close unnecessary apps and try again.

How to Share Screen on Linux

Step 01: Click the "Share Screen" button

This is found in the meeting controls.

Step 02: Choose what to share:

Basic Options:

  • Share your entire desktop.
  • Share a specific application window.
  • Share a whiteboard (a blank screen where you can draw/write).

Important Notes:

  • If you use Wayland, you can only share your entire desktop or whiteboard.
  • To share a specific application, you need to use Xorg instead.

Advanced Options

  • Portion of Screen: Share only a small part of your screen (you can resize it).
  • Music or Computer Sound Only: Share just the sound from your computer.
  • Extra Features:
    • Share Computer Sound: Allows others to hear sounds from your computer.
    • Optimize for Video Clip: Makes videos look smoother but should not be enabled unless sharing a video.
    • Share to Breakout Rooms: The host can share content to all breakout rooms.

Step 03: Click "Share" to start screen sharing.

  • A notification banner will appear, telling you that participants can see your screen.

During Screen Sharing: Extra Controls

  • Preview: Hover over "You are screen sharing" to see what others view.
  • Exit Full Screen: Press Esc or click Exit Full Screen.
  • Switch Cameras: Click Switch Camera if using another camera.

Who Can Share & Change Settings?

  • The host can control who can share and if others can interrupt someone’s screen share.

Ending Screen Sharing

  • Click Stop Share to stop sharing your screen.
  • Click End Meeting to leave or end the meeting for all.

Extra Tips: Using Dual Monitors

  • If you have two screens, enable dual monitor mode so:
    • One screen shows the shared content.
    • The second screen shows participants.

How to Share Your Screen on Zoom for Mobile Devices

In this section, we will cover how you can share your screen on both Android devices and iOS devices.

How to Share Your Screen on Zoom for Android Device

Before you can share your screen during a Zoom meeting, you need to have Zoom installed and set up on your device. Here’s how to get started:

Step 01: Download and Install Zoom:

  • Go to the Google Play Store on your Android device.
  • Search for “Zoom Workplace”.
  • Tap "Install" to download and install the app.

Step 02: Setting Up Zoom:

The image shows the Google Play Store listing for the Zoom Workplace app on an Android device, highlighting the "Open" button, indicating the app is installed and ready to launch.
  • Once installed, open the app.
  • You can sign up for a new account or log in if you already have one.
  • Allow necessary permissions that Zoom requests for optimal functionality, including access to your camera, microphone, and storage.

Step 03: Access Sharing Options:

The image shows the Zoom mobile app interface during a meeting, with the "Share" icon visible at the bottom menu, indicated by a box with an upward arrow, for initiating screen sharing or other content within the meeting.
  • Tap on the Share icon in the meeting controls, which typically looks like a box with an arrow pointing up.

Step 04: Choose Your Content

The image shows the content sharing options in the Zoom mobile app, displaying a list that includes Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft SharePoint, Google Drive, Box, and Photos, enabling users to share files directly from these sources during a Zoom meeting.
  • You'll see multiple sharing options, including Photos, Documents, or different cloud services like Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDriv.
  • For website sharing, select Website URL and enter the URL to share a live web page.
  • If you want to share a view of your entire screen, proceed with the screen sharing option.

How to Share Your Entire Screen

Step 01: Start Screen Sharing

The image displays the screen sharing options in the Zoom mobile app, highlighting the "Screen" option for sharing the device's screen during a meeting. A purple arrow points towards the icon next to the "Screen" label, indicating where to tap to start the screen sharing process.

In the sharing options, tap on Screen.

The image displays the Zoom mobile app's sharing menu with the "Screen" option selected, indicated by a purple arrow. This option allows the user to share their entire screen during a Zoom meeting.

You will see a system notification asking for permission to share your screen. Confirm by tapping Start Now.

Step 02: Manage Your Screen Share

The image shows a smartphone screen during a Zoom meeting with a green border around the screen, indicating that the screen is being shared. This visual cue helps users confirm that their screen is visible to other meeting participants.

After starting the screen share, Zoom will continue to run in the background. You can navigate to the app or content you wish to share.

The image shows a smartphone screen during a Zoom screen sharing session, with an annotation toolbar visible at the bottom. The arrow points to the "Annotate" button, indicating where to tap to access tools for drawing or highlighting on the shared screen.

If needed, tap Annotate at the bottom of your screen to draw or highlight on the screen being shared.

Tutorial for Annotation Tools
The image displays a smartphone screen during a Zoom meeting with annotations made on the shared screen. The annotations include the text "Hi, From Jamie" and some doodles. Below, the annotation toolbar is visible, offering tools like pens, highlighters, undo, redo, clear, and color options, helping users interact creatively or informatively over their shared content.

Zoom lets you write, highlight, and draw on the current shared screen using Annotation Tools.

To use annotations:

  1. Start screen sharing
  2. Click Annotate
  3. Use pen, highlighter, shapes, and text to add notes

Annotations help explain complex ideas in real time.

Step 03: Sharing Device Audio

The image shows a smartphone screen during a Zoom meeting with a green border indicating active screen sharing. A portrait of a smiling woman is displayed, and the bottom menu features buttons for "Annotation," "Share audio," and "Stop share," highlighted by an arrow pointing towards the "Stop share" button, suggesting it is the next action to be taken.

While screen sharing, tap Share Audio if you want the meeting participants to hear the audio from your device. This is useful when sharing video content.

Toggle the Share Audio option again to stop sharing audio, or tap Stop Share to end your screen share completely.

Additional Tips

  • Check App Permissions: Make sure Zoom has the necessary permissions enabled in your Android settings to access photos, documents, and other files.
  • Understand Privacy Settings: Some apps might restrict sharing their audio or content for security reasons; check if the app allows its data to be shared through external applications.

How to Share Your Screen on Zoom for Apple Device

Its quite similar to Android with a little bit of a difference as stated below.

Start Sharing Content

  1. Join a Zoom meeting.
  2. Tap the "Share Content" button (it looks like a green square with an arrow).
  3. Choose what you want to share (screen, photos, files, etc.).

If You Choose a Cloud File (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.):

  1. Tap the storage service (e.g., Google Drive).
  2. Select the document or image you want to share.
  3. Tap "Share" in the top right corner.

Now, everyone in the meeting will see the file on their screen.

What Can You Share?

You can share these types of content in a Zoom meeting from your iPhone or iPad:

  • Your Screen (Only if your device has iOS 11 or newer)
  • Photos (from your phone’s photo library)
  • Files from Cloud Storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)
  • Website Links
  • Bookmarks (Saved website links, but they disappear when you log out)
  • Whiteboard (Only for iPads, where you can draw and write notes)

Please note that some of these options might not be available if your Zoom account settings disable them.

Important Notes:

  • You Can’t Write or Draw (Annotate) on the Screen when sharing your entire iPhone or iPad screen. If you need to draw while sharing, you’ll have to use the Whiteboard or another method.
  • Hiding Your Video Preview: If your own video preview is blocking your screen while sharing, just swipe it to the edge of the screen to hide it.

Best Practices for Effective Screen Sharing on Zoom

Cluttered desktops, distracting notifications, or hard-to-read content are major turn-offs while screen sharing. You don’t want attendees to get distracted while you’re in the middle of a serious discussion. At the same time, you don’t want the meeting to be a snoozefest either—you have to pique their interest.

Over the years, I’ve figured out how to make screen sharing seamless, professional, and engaging. Here are my top Zoom screen sharing tips to help you do the same.

1. Prep Your Screen Before You Hit ‘Share’

Before you let everyone peek at your screen, take a minute to clean things up:

  • Close unnecessary apps and tabs—you don’t want anyone to see your inbox or your online shopping cart
  • Turn on Do Not Disturb mode to avoid awkward pop-ups mid-presentation
  • Organize the necessary files you’ll need during the meeting
  • Make sure your internet connection is stable

2. Keep People Engaged 

Watching someone share their screen for too long can get boring. But you can’t let them zone out! Here are a few simple tricks I use during Zoom meetings to keep participants hooked till the end:

  • Circle, highlight, or underline key ideas using Zoom’s annotation tools to make them pop and ensure better retention 
  • Ask quick questions, run a poll, or use the chat to keep things lively
  • Switch back to video occasionally in between screen sharing to maintain a personal touch
  • Keep a steady pace so people can follow along, but at the same time, not stretch the meeting for too long

3. Make Your Content Easy to See

Most people join meetings with their laptop or phone, so optimize the content accordingly. Here’s how: 

  • Use large fonts and high contrast (for presentations) to increase visibility
  • Zoom into the content when required so that it’s easier to read
  • Keep slides simple—too much text will make people lose interest 
  • Stick to a 16:9 ratio, as it’s the most screen-friendly format for most viewers

4. Choose the Right Screen Sharing Option

Zoom gives you multiple ways to share your screen. Pick one that suits your needs: 

Entire Desktop – Shares everything on your screen.

  • Best for: General presentations, training sessions, or when switching between multiple applications.
  • Downside: Participants will see everything, including notifications and other open applications.

Specific Application Window – Shares only one app, like PowerPoint or a web browser.

  • Best for: Keeping distractions minimal and ensuring privacy.
  • Downside: If you switch to another app, participants won’t see it unless you reselect a new window.

Portion of Screen – Allows you to select a specific section of your screen using a green border.

  • Best for: Focusing on a particular part of a document or presentation.
  • Downside: Requires manual adjustment if you change content.

Whiteboard – A blank canvas where you and participants can draw or write.

  • Best for: Brainstorming sessions, planning, or teaching.
  • Downside: Not ideal for detailed presentations or document reviews.

iPhone/iPad Screen – Shares your mobile device’s screen.

  • Best for: Mobile app demos or tutorials.
  • Downside: Requires extra setup and may experience delays.

5. Use Zoom’s Features to Enhance Your Presentation

Screen sharing is just the start—Zoom has a few extra tools that can take your presentations from good to great. Here are some of my favorite features to use:

use:

a. Breakout Rooms 

Ever wanted to spark deeper discussions or encourage team collaboration? Use Zoom breakout rooms to split participants into smaller groups and make brainstorming sessions, workshops, and training feel more personal and interactive.

b. Live Transcription 

We’ve all been in a meeting where someone struggles to keep up or language barriers become an issue. With live transcription, Zoom automatically generates captions to make the presentation more accessible.

c. Remote Control 

Sometimes, it’s easier to show rather than tell. With remote control, you can let a participant take over your screen to help troubleshoot, collaborate on a document, or guide a demo. The Remote Control feature is perfect for hands-on training.

d. Reactions and Emojis 

A simple thumbs-up, clapping emoji, or even a raised hand keeps things interactive and lets your audience engage without interrupting. It’s a small touch, but it makes a big difference in keeping the energy up.

And there you have it, I hope you were able to navigate how to share a screen on Zoom much better. If you are someone who have meetings super frequently, then you might like our tool to help you take meeting notes.

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FAQs on how to share a screen on Zoom?

What are the limitations of mobile screen sharing compared to desktop?

Screen sharing on mobile devices has some limitations compared to desktop versions:

  • Functionality: Mobile apps typically offer fewer features and less control over the meeting environment compared to their desktop counterparts.
  • Screen Space: Sharing from smaller screens can make detailed presentations harder to view for participants.
  • Multitasking: Switching between different applications while sharing your screen can be less seamless on mobile devices.

How can you troubleshoot screen sharing on Android?

If you encounter issues while trying to share your screen on an Android device, consider the following tips:

  • Permissions: Ensure that Zoom has all the necessary permissions granted under your Android settings. This includes permissions for screen overlay, drawing over other apps, and accessing storage.
  • Stability: Ensure your internet connection is stable. Screen sharing requires a more consistent and faster internet connection than other features.
  • App Compatibility: Some apps might not allow content to be shared due to security or privacy settings. If specific content won't share, try an alternative method such as uploading it to a cloud storage platform first.

What Android versions and devices are compatible?

Zoom is compatible with most modern Android devices that run Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and above. However, some features like advanced screen sharing might only be available on newer versions (Android 8.0 Oreo and above). To check your Android version:

  • Go to Settings > About Phone/Tablet > Android Version.

What are the platform-specific solutions for common issues?

Zoom works differently on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you have issues:

  • Windows – Adjust hardware acceleration settings if sharing isn’t smooth.
  • MacOS – Use hardware acceleration for video playback.
  • Linux – Some features might not be available due to limited support.

How do you access advanced screen share options?

To find these settings:

  1. Open the Zoom desktop app
  2. Click on your profile picture
  3. Select Settings
  4. Click on Share Screen
  5. Select the Advanced tab

Now, let’s go over the advanced options.

What are the requirements for advanced screen share settings?

Before using these features, your Zoom app must be updated to certain versions:

  • Windows: Version 5.3.0 (52651.0920) or higher
  • macOS: Version 5.3.0 (52651.0920) or higher
  • Linux: Version 5.3.465578.0920 or higher

If your Zoom app is too old, some advanced settings won’t be available.

How do you use PowerPoint as a virtual background?

Zoom lets you use PowerPoint slides as your virtual background, meaning your face will appear in front of the slides.

How to enable:

  1. Click Share Screen
  2. Choose Advanced
  3. Select PowerPoint as Virtual Background
  4. Upload your PowerPoint file
  5. Adjust your video size and position

This is great for presentations because it keeps the audience focused on you and your slides at the same time.

How can you share a video in Zoom without experiencing lag and poor quality?

If you are sharing a full screen video clip (like a YouTube video or PowerPoint animation) in Zoom, follow these steps to avoid lag and poor quality:

  1. Enable "Optimize for Video Clip"
    • When clicking "Share Screen," check the Optimize for Video Clip box.
    • This improves video playback for viewers.
  2. Share Computer Audio
    • If you’re playing a video with sound, make sure to enable "Share Computer Audio".
    • Without this, participants won’t hear the video’s sound.

How can you optimize screen-sharing settings in Zoom?

These settings control how your computer processes screen sharing.

  1. Enable Hardware Acceleration for Screen Sharing
    • Turn off if participants say your screen looks blurry or choppy.
  2. Enable Hardware Acceleration for Annotations
    • Turn off if you can’t draw on the screen while sharing.
  3. Enable Hardware Acceleration to Optimize Video Sharing
    • Uses your video card to make shared videos smoother.

What are the different methods Zoom offers for screen capture and sharing?

There are different ways Zoom can capture and share your screen:

1. Auto (Default)

  • Zoom automatically picks the best method.
  • Best for most users.

2. Capture with Window Filtering

  • Hides Zoom windows from the shared screen.
  • Useful if you don’t want participants to see your Zoom controls.

3. Advanced Capture with Window Filtering

  • Like the previous option, but also detects movement.
  • Great for sharing videos or animations.

4. Advanced Capture Without Window Filtering

  • Includes all windows, including Zoom itself.
  • Best if you need to show everything.

5. Legacy / Previous Operating Systems

  • For older computers or outdated Zoom versions.
  • If this isn’t enabled, participants might see a black screen instead of your shared content.

6. Secure Share with Window Filtering (Windows)

  • Prevents background content from being shared when switching between windows.
  • Increases privacy.

What makes Zoom screen sharing better?

These features help improve screen sharing quality, security, and flexibility.

A. Limit Frames Per Second (FPS)

  • You can control how smooth your screen sharing looks.
  • Lower FPS = saves internet bandwidth (better for slow internet).
  • Higher FPS = better video quality (needs fast internet).

B. Show Green Border Around Shared Content

  • When you share your screen, Zoom highlights the shared area with a green border.
  • This helps you see exactly what others are viewing.

C. Share Selected App Window Only (macOS)

  • Instead of sharing your whole screen, you can choose just one app (e.g., only PowerPoint or Chrome).
  • This prevents accidental exposure of other open files or notifications.

D. Use TCP Connection for Screen Sharing

  • If your screen isn’t visible to participants, switching to a TCP connection may fix the issue.

E. Use Hardware Acceleration to Optimize Video Sharing (macOS)

  • This uses your computer’s video card instead of the main processor to make video playback smoother.
  • Helpful if you’re sharing high-quality videos.

Source: Zoom Support

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Sanduni
LinkedIn

Growth Content Editor

Sanduni Yureka is a Growth Content Editor at Jamie, known for driving a 10x increase in website traffic for clients across Singapore, the U.S., and Germany. With an LLB Honors degree and a background in law, Sanduni transitioned from aspiring lawyer to digital marketing expert during the 2019 lockdown. She now specializes in crafting high-impact SEO strategies for AI-powered SaaS companies, particularly those using large language models (LLMs). When she’s not binge-watching true crime shows, Sanduni is obsessed with studying everything SEO.

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